Anyone using Synlube?

Winston · Dec 9, 2005

One of the things that bothers me is the mpg increase claims. Does friction in an engine account for that much? His 2.5 mpg increase is more than a 10% increase! I did not think that engine friction accounted for 10% of the energy loss - total?!?

OTOH. As far as the fuel and water dilution. I thought both burn off after 20-30 minutes at full operating temp. So, it would be a non issue.

tester · Dec 9, 2005

I did not see or claim a great increase in mpg in my case. It has not gone up or down for that matter.
Oil consumed during normal operation is not free. If you know any seller who furnishes it free let me know, I will swap to their product. (So would a lot of people I bet)
I am not not bragging or promoting either way. I am running an experiment more or less. I use Amsoil and do my own oil changes in my car, but am using the Synlube in the truck just to see how it works more than anything else. I have some health problems and hate changing oil. I used to like doing oil changes in my vehicles, but not anymore.

ekpolk · Dec 9, 2005

Tester:

Thank you for telling us about your experiment. I hope you will keep us updated, when you can, on how the product's performance works out over time. You may have to endure a flame or two (just review the last page), but don't let that discourage you. Of course, I'd be the first to recommend you jettison the stuff if you see any signs of difficulty.

The Critic · Dec 9, 2005

quote:

If Synlube is as ineffective as Slick-50, why, for example, hasn't the FTC gone after SL the way it did S-50?

This brings up a good point, as Amsoil comes to mind. I rarely see the product last the full 1-yr/25,000 miles as it claims to, so why haven't they been "investigated" by the FTC? :

Someone please help me here.

Gary Allan · Dec 9, 2005

Well, Michael, you've got to qualify that. What you should have said is that rarely does anyone leave it in that long. Amsoil never said that their oil would remain uneffected by going 25k/1year.

That is, you're the one defining "last(s)".

Matt89 · Dec 9, 2005

Gary;

Nail on the head. BITOGers want oil to come out of the engine in the same condition that it went in.

ekpolk · Dec 9, 2005

D2L:

All perfectly valid, sound observations. I might consider doing the experiment, monitored by periodic UOA, were the product not so outlandishly expensive at the outset. I do think you could catch "engine costing" issues before they struck with finality this way.

Oh well, I guess this comes back around to the basic question of how and why Synlube stays in business. I fully well grasp that virtually anyone can put up a website at low cost. But if no one is biting his hook, then I've got to wonder why he keeps the hook in the water in the first place. Most folks run businesses to turn a profit and feed their families. Anyhow, it's not hurting me to sniff around, which I'll continue to do. Who knows, I may just get lucky and turn up some hard facts.

Dad2leia · Dec 9, 2005

Hey have fun, that's the whole point of us obsessing here anyways, right?!?

The Critic · Dec 10, 2005

Gary and Matt,
I think my statements in my previous posts may have been slightly misleading. What I meant to say was that based upon the limited # of Amsoil UOAs I see in the UOA section, most of 'em have thickened out of grade and and sometimes the TBN does not look as though it could've made it to 25K.

Then again, you two are correct that few people leave it in that long. Then again, even if the Amsoil did last the full 1-yr/25K by a hair, I personally wouldn't be interested in running the oil if it thickens to a 40w or 50w after 15,000 miles.

moribundman · Dec 10, 2005

quote:

What you guys don't understand is that you have to WANT it to work!!!

Like in "If you work it, it works!"?

I saw lot of Synlube products yesterday at my favorite auto parts suppy shop in Redwood City, CA. It's right by the Royal Purple products and near the Red Line section.

Budman · May 31, 2006

quote:

Originally posted by moving2:
robbobster said "Does he work for SynLube or doesn't he? Or perhaps just a typo..."

1. Synlube Address:
2961 Industrial Road #300
Las Vegas, NV 89109-1134

2. Budman's location: Nevada
Occupation: Writer (for synlube?)

From the sound of his posts, he sounds like way more than just an enthusiastic consumer.

LOL.

Don't hurt yourself over there with your attempt at detective work. Despite the weird coincidence that other people DO live in Nevada (and particularly Las Vegas), I assure you I have NO relation to Synlube other than as a consumer.

To update, Synlube is still in the vehicle. It hasn't blown up. In fact the engine may be the best part of the vehicle in question as it has been in for more recalls and minor annoyances (dash speaker went out, radio unit needed replacement, Air conditioner needed re-charge) than it has had oil changes (don't tell Nissan though). I detect no discernable differences in the engine than one would of a an engine of same mileage with regular oil. Nor should there be any at such a young age (25k miles). Oil consumption has been insanely low (less than qt over two years).

Synlube has actually remained in sporadic contact to keep abreast of the vehicle mileage and such. He is very quick to answer any emails of mine. Plus has even offered a free UOA late last year, for which I never got around to drawing a sample and dropping it off for him.

Not much else I can think of to report. Ask away and I will try my best to answer.

PS - I lurk on this board way more than I post, and even my lurking is only once in great while. So sorry if I miss posts.

PSS - A testament to his character, Synlube told me honestly that his product wasn't a good fit for my other new car (05 Saab 9-3)since it was a lease. Costing himself a sale from someone who would have most likly been a lock for a sale. I use GC in it instead.

Budman · May 8, 2007

I happened to be lurking one of my rare times around here and thought i'd drop in and update. Reading what I wrote back in June made me feel compelled to at least let everyone know what happened shortly after.

After about 15k on the oil, my Nissan Murano no longer carries Synlube. I have no hard factual evidence against Synlube other than my experience and what I was told.

Our Murano started to exhibit a "whine" of sorts around the time I posted above. It was an intermittent whine that sounded like it was the AC compressor as it seemed to have started while it was getting hot here and only happened at idle. We had our Murano in for what I would call an ever so slight "knocking" at take-off from a stop shortly before this whine started, in which the dealer never verified nor could find any cause. We just brushed it off until this whine started. It started to get worse so we made our trip to the dealer and was able to show them the sound.

They had called the next day and I was floored when the service manager told me he had changed the oil as whatever was in there was SO SLUDGED that it sort of chunked out. They did two engine flushes, filled it with their dino of choice and sent us on our way. I felt like a complete idiot as I had to play dumb (for warranty reasons) that I kept it on a strict DIY chance schedule. They asked me what I used and I told them "walmart brand synthetic oil" to get me off the hook a little. They admited to doing nothing more to the car than said service of oil change and flushes. It hasn't whined SINCE.

I have kept up with 4k (exxon dino) changes and all is fine. I honestly have noticed a slight drop in mpg's though being back on dino but it could just be change of driving habit as my wife now works closer to home.

I did contact Synlube and they told me I could have gotten 100% refund had I gotten back the drained oil (I was a little mad at Nissan for doing the service without asking, no matter how little it may seem to them) and he did offer that it may have been misinterpreted as sludge as Synlube is different looking to most mechanics. He did also suggest maybe something WAS fixed, but hidden as the oil, as dealers sometimes do (especially one who admits DIY changes) so as to shift any warranty possibilites later. I don't know what to think other than the car has been fine since and my wife has cursed me for "getting scammed on that expensive #@$%! oil I put in her car".

I think Synlube has good intentions and never once seemed dishonest. I can't say I would ever use it again as it seems the risks outweight rewards and there being just about zero hard evidence (other than testimonials) of its claims or worth. No hard feelings, just didn't work out for me. No where near 50k on one oil change.

Cup of Joe · May 8, 2007

Thanks for the update since most synlube users just fade away. I think you just sum'd up the reasons more people don't jump on the band wagon.

Pablo · May 8, 2007

What a story!

I'll say you are pretty tolerant. I have to ask - what did the oil look like on the dipstick before you took it in?

How many months on the oil total?

I couldn't lie like that to the dealer......

Biggest bummer - NO UOA.

Patman · May 9, 2007

Just as I suspected, Synlube is nothing but pure junk. It's a good thing it didn't ruin that engine!

bruce381 · May 9, 2007

You can have all the best intentions and be honest BUT still sell a very bad product due to incompetence or lack of knowlege. Glad your engine did not go boom, BUT his exscuses are way lame and a chunk is a chunk not just dark black oil.
bruce

bruce381 · May 9, 2007

""No where near 50k on one oil change.""
Well DUH

Pleaase take NO offense but this is where he sells whatever he does cause most people are NOT oil savy at all and belive him from his full faith in the #@$%!.
bruce

Lonnie · May 9, 2007

You are very lucky to have escaped this problem like you did. I think you have proved what many of us have suspected. His claims are a bit too much and as Bruce stated, a lot of uninformed people might just be taken in. Does this make the longest thread on the site?

Thatwouldbegreat · May 9, 2007

Synlube does seem to make too many outrageous claims.

I have no doubt that engines ~could~ run 50,000 or 100,000 miles on an oil. But only with special filtration, increased oil capacity, and a testing program.

Ultra long OCI's are just not practical for most street cars...it costs too much to modify and test the vehicles.

I think Amsoil makes some great oils, but I don't support the idea of running Amsoil for 25,000 miles or 1 year without testing. [ Yet I know of people running that program in Colorado on SUV's and they don't blow up before they get traded in. ]

I'm not even convinced that the newer Mercedes and BMW's that can run 10,000 to 15,000 mile intervals are using the best OCI. Granted the Mercedes have a fleece oil filter that may provide improved filtration.

I still feel better changing the oil in these cars at 50% on the OLM , or 7000 miles.

A small company with a web site and big claims and high prices and an additive pack of solids like graphite, PFTE, and MS02 sounds like an experiment using other people's engines.

MrMeeks · Aug 18, 2010

I have run petroleum based oil 10,000 miles before with several filter changes during that interval without problems . Once I examined a lawn tractor engine block that had been cleaned in preparation for a rebuild.This block had an aluminum bore and had been run hard for 15 years with only 2 oil changes.That bore was smooth with no visible wear and well within spec for 'out of roundness' and taper.Such a long life oil (synlube) may just work if it could be filtered well enough.Future autos could be filled at the factory with 'synlube' and only allow a filter replacement and top-up with fresh oil as needed.The engine could then be swapped for a rebuilt engine at 100,00 miles.

Anyone using Synlube?

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