Originally Posted By: MCompact
I've been thinking of picking up an Abarth so I've been monitoring one of the Fiat 500 forums. It turns out that the Abarth and the 500 Turbo spec a 5W-40 synthetic, while non-turbo 500s takes any SN 5W-30. An Abarth owner was worried that his dealer had used 5W-30 instead of the 5W-40 synthetic and posed his concerns. The following is one "expert" response:
It must be true.. Its on the internets...
Want answers??? Call an oil manufacturer. They HAVE all the facts. They will be more than happy to help a customer.
Most people that post stuff are reposters. I.. Myself have been an engine repair and builder for 30 years. I have been to seminars and shows to learn about oil and its differences between regular oil and synthetic. I also know the effects of oils and ethanol and methanol. (I am also the Crew chief for a NASA Spec E30 car and a Chumpcar, and a back up crew for a Porsche 993 NASA GT3 car.)
The only thing that makes an oil synthetic is that the amount of additives exceeds a certain percentage. Its still all oil.
Want to make your own synthetic oil?? Change your oil. First thing you put in, 1/2 qt of transmission fluid. Then top off with the motor oil of your choice. The amount of detergents and additives in the trans fluid will make the oil"synthetic" by the rules. Before you get all bothered.. This is what we did on cars back in the days of straight oils and engines with coking problems. One customer had Dodge trucks that they bought new and sold with 350,000 on them. (With the unopened factory engines)
I now only do this on turbo engines that aren't water cooled turbos. (Castrol GTX does a great job of keeping engines clean inside.)
Heck.. you can use vegetable oil if you can find a way to stabilize it. (You know.. by additives.. and you make a synthetic oil)
So... Fear not.. your car is going to be OK. Your turbo is safe. (I have experience in this stuff.)
Comments?
The quote form Dean Wormer in Animal House comes to mind.
