Castrol Syntec for 10K OCI

[thunderchild]

All, I just finished a 10K OCI with Pennzoil Platinum 10w30. I was using an Amsoil SDF filter. I would like to know what your opinions are on doing a 10K OCI with Castrol Syntec 5w30. I have used up all my Pennzoil Platinum in my stock so I am going to use my Castrol now. Here are some details:

2003 Dodge Durango 4.7 liter.
110,000 miles.
Daily Driver/100+ miles a day.
95%+ Highway miles.

Thanks in advance.

 

[buster]

Only a used oil analysis will let you know for sure. I personally would not do it. Syntec has not shown well at preventing deposits according to a few tests (sorry can't verify for sure) and does not meet the HTO-06 spec. At those intervals, I would use Amsoil, Mobil 1 or PP only. .02 However, mostly highway miles does work in your favor so it might be doable.

 

[thunderchild]

I thought Castrol Syntec would be better than that. I was not aware of those ratings.

 

[buster]

The HT spec is only for turbo's so it's not really applicable to your situation. Awhile back someone posted some TEOST test results of different synthetics and Syntec did not look good fwiw. Run it and sample. Only way to know for sure. Put it this way, it's not a brand I would trust for 10k mile intervals.

 

[02zx9r]

I would say if you have the syntec to use it, maybe start out at 6000-7500 mile intervals.

The gas mileage must be horrendous with the durango

 

[thunderchild]

Hmmmm... I think maybe this oil will only be in for a 5K interval then. I have to use up my stash before I get any more oil. I don't even have room for another quart!! What would you suggest trying instead of Amsoil? It is kind of expensive.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: 02zx9r
I would say if you have the syntec to use it, maybe start out at 6000-7500 mile intervals.

The gas mileage must be horrendous with the durango

I run my dino for 7500 miles, so why can't this last for 10k?

 

[thunderchild]

Actually, I am on the highway quite a bit. No hills. I get around 18 to 20 mpg on a good smooth day. Not too shabby for a truck.

 

[thunderchild]

CRITIC:
What type of dyno do you use?

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: thunderchild
CRITIC:
What type of dyno do you use?

Whatever brand is on sale for $0.49/qt at the local parts store. Mostly Chevron, though I think my next purchase will be FormulaShell, as that's what they are stocking now.

The car (96 Saturn SL2) has 108,000 miles on it now and the intervals range from between 6-10k miles, mostly city driving. I did remove the valve cover last year at around 95,000 miles due to a leak and there was only a light coat of varnish on the valvetrain. This car does consume 1 qt of oil every 3k miles though.

 

[thunderchild]

What is the long OCI Amsoil? Is it the SSO? I am not sure. If I get the preferred customer membership, how much would my savings be? If it is good enough I may consider it.

 

[thunderchild]

CRITIC:
That is pretty good with conventional oil. This truck is not hard on oil and I don't drive it hard. Only easy highway miles. I am rarely in the city (DC).

 

[thunderchild]

Oh, and it does not consume any oil so far.

 

[02zx9r]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: 02zx9r
I would say if you have the syntec to use it, maybe start out at 6000-7500 mile intervals.

The gas mileage must be horrendous with the durango

I run my dino for 7500 miles, so why can't this last for 10k?


was basing it off of what buster had said. Try 7500 used oil analysis it, see how it does if you can push it further then do it. If not you know how far you and your application can go

 

[02zx9r]

With the amount of highway miles you do more than likely 10K is attainable

 

[Robert1955]

Originally Posted By: thunderchild
Hmmmm... I think maybe this oil will only be in for a 5K interval then. I have to use up my stash before I get any more oil. I don't even have room for another quart!! What would you suggest trying instead of Amsoil? It is kind of expensive.

With the Amsoil ASL 5w30 good for at least 15,000 miles and up to 25,000 it would have to cost 3 to 5 times as much as your Castrol at the 5,000 OCI you noted to be more expensive to use. You would need to use an Amsoil EaO filter but still it cost less to use.

 

[ekpolk]

It will be hard to know the answer to this question for sure without UOA. Why not run it to ~7500 miles, pull a sample, and see how it is doing? Only then can you be sure how your usage in your car in your environment is impacting the service life of your oil.

 

[Durango]

I would not consider doing this experinment at all unless you can find an oil filter that can go the distance. I've heard the BMW's have once per year oil changes using synthetic but I'm sure they must have a humongous size filter to go along with it.

Durango

 

[02zx9r]

a wix, pure one, motorcraft, etc.... filter wouldn't make 10K?

 

[Robert1955]

As far as I know the only aftermarket filter with a long change interval is the Amsoil EaO thats good for 25,000. The Wix says 7,500 unless the manufacturer says longer.