Dino or synthetic for this application?

[otis24]

I will be doing oil changes for an elderly co-worker. Her 1998 Mercury Mystique has about 36k miles on it. She now only drives about 1000 miles per year. She drives mostly short distances (2-3 miles) so the engine does not get warmed up enough to burn off water and fuel. We live in South Dakota where we get sub zero temps.
Should she stick with a dino and change every six months or would she be better served by going with a full synthetic (SuperTech) and changing once per year? I plan on checking her oil level every three months to make sure she is not running low or consuming oil.
Thanks!
Larry

 

[Patman]

Pick the cheapest SM 5w20 you can find, change it once a year (or even two years), and that engine will still outlive her. (not to be rude, but it is true)

 

[2KBMW]

Hey Patman. Noticed the birthday cake next to your
name. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Patman.

 

[2KBMW]

Otis24. I forgot to reply to you. My dad's is in
the same situation with his car. Anyway, once a year
sound good but I would take her car and give it a good
run on the highway every so often to burn off any water.

 

[Patman]

Quote:

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Hey Patman. Noticed the birthday cake next to your
name. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Patman.

---

Thanks!

But the cake is a day early, my birthday isn't until Dec 8th.

 

[Dave Hess]

My 75 year old dad drives his 05' Honda 2000 miles a year and I change it once a year with the cheapest closeout conventional oil I can find. No need for a synthetic oil in a car that gets driven very little.

When I tell him its time for an oil change.....he gets mad and tells me the oil 'only' has 2000 miles.

 

[mitchcoyote]

Come on guys! For 30 bucks you can use a quality full synthetic once a year and really take good care of these old folks.....

 

[427Z06]

Quote:

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use a quality full synthetic

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What do you consider a "quality full synthetic"?

 

[Oil Changer]

Quote:

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Quote:

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use a quality full synthetic

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What do you consider a "quality full synthetic"?

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Mobil 1 of course!

 

[AndyH]

Quote:

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Quote:

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Quote:

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use a quality full synthetic

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What do you consider a "quality full synthetic"?

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Mobil 1 of course!

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Nah, I think Mitch is an Amsoil fan.

 

[mitchcoyote]

Only because Amsoil is the best....

 

[dave1251]

 

[dave1251]

Just kidding Mitch. But feel free to elaborate why Amsoil is the best.

 

[flux]

Quote:

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Just kidding Mitch. But feel free to elaborate why Amsoil is the best.

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Mitch won't elaborate, even if he could, because it would
force him to use more than one sentence in his post.

 

[KBFXDLI]

If you are concerned about engine corrosion go to West Marine and get a bottle of starbrite marine oil stabilizer for about $5 and ad it to the crankcase. This will extend the life of the additive package of the 5w30 dramatically and help it adhere to internal critical engine parts for up to 1 year. You could use a marine grade oil but you won't find it in a 5w30.

 

[DirtyApe]

Quote:

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Pick the cheapest SM 5w20 you can find, change it once a year (or even two years), and that engine will still outlive her. (not to be rude, but it is true)

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Yes it was, I feel that could have been worded a bit better. JMHO.

 

[otis24]

No offense taken. Probably closer to the truth than you may realize.