Conventional vs Synthetic

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Running fine. Just like most others that run conventional oil.


Agreed. The G with VVEL is staying on conventional at least until I can extend OCIs appropriately, and I'm not even convinced I'll have a good reason to switch down the road. The old Audi Turbo is still running strong, and has 250,000 km with primarily conventional.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
You are having no problems because you are a good maintainer. Others are not. Not knowing how people maintain the general suggestion would be synthetic as not to have this issue. I did say dino ok keep it short i did not say don't use it.


That hits the nail pretty much on the head. After all, how many people out there selling vehicles that are sludged to high heaven claim it was changed with synthetic every 3000 miles - plenty, even though it's obviously not the case. Aside from that, regardless of the lube used, appropriate maintenance must also be used. Just as conventional doesn't limit one to 3000 mile/3 month OCIs, synthetic doesn't automatically grant indefinite OCIs.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I only wish I lived in a part of the country where a 15 mile run during rush hour didn't take an hour on a good day, and the pot holes weren't the size of a small grave. I'd stretch the OCI and bet my vehicles would last a very, very long time.



It's starting to get that way here as well. Neither my wife's car nor my Cobalt NEED synthetic, but the traffic and short trips will help these cars in case I ran into any "problems" (like sitting in traffic on a hot day with my family in the car). So in my case, just being a bit more prepared. And it does help...

On the other hand, I've taken Bill's advice on my other car. It now gets conventional oil changes three seasons now, as it gets syn in the winter for the MI winter cold starts. And, I'll run conventional a while too, with great success as well. (I heart Shell right now) Car can't even tell the difference either.....


It's either about the requirements or the need..