Okay now I am more confused ?

[tryn2lrn]

I thought I was doing ok but the more I read the less sure I am what I plan to do is ok. I have an 04 5.3l GM, I changed oil and filter at 500 & 1000 miles. My plan was to use syntech @ 5k intervals, I have always used dino oil and changed at 3k but I am getting older and don't want to crawl under the vehicles as much. I live in PA so the temps are not too extreme. I bought 2 cases of the upf44 (corvette) filters so I believe they will go 5k easily but now am concerned about the syntech. I don't drive hard, although an occasional run to redline is inevitable, I don't tow, I drive 20 minutes to work on back roads and travel very little on the highway. Will the syntech 5-30 hold up under these conditions for the 5k interval? I don't want to worry about finding oil either, I just want to swing by wallys or autozone and pick up a 5qt+1 on Frday for a Saturday change. It seems the opinions on syntech have taken a nasty turn here since the last time I visited. Thanks for the input!

 

[Sin City]

The latest version of Castrol Syntec 5w30 and 10w30 meet ILSAC GF-4 and also the far more demanding European ACEA A5/B5 requirements.

This is from the ACEA website: A5 Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use at extended drain intervals in high performance gasoline engines designed to be capable of using low friction, low viscosity oils with a HT/HS of 2.9 to 3.5 mPa.s. These oils may be unsuitable for use in some engines. Consult owner manual or handbook if in doubt. ACEA B5 is the same accept it is for diesels.

Castrol Syntec should be safe to use for about 6,000 to 7,500 miles or about six to nine months depending on your vehicle and your driving conditions.

[ October 01, 2004, 11:47 PM: Message edited by: Sin City ]

 

[427Z06]

Unless you go to AutoZone and get Castrol Syntec 0w30 that says it's made in Germany, I think you'll find few regular Castrol Syntec fans here.

Not that regular Castrol Syntec is a bad oil, it just that most people think Castrol overcharges for a Group III basestock "synthetic" oil.

In reality, your plan above will probably work quite well with any "full-synthetic" 5w30 oil given your climate, use of the vehicle. Probably could even go 6K miles between changes after a few short initial breakin changes.

My 2 cents. Others will have many good suggestions, I'm sure.

 

[Ugly3]

For about the same cost as Castrol Syntec you can get Mobil 1 5w30. Clearly no problem with 5,000 to 6,000 mile OCIs with Mobil 1 (not that there is a problem with Syntec).

If cost is an issue you can get Wal*Mart SuperTech synthetic (group III like Syntec) for maybe $3.00 a quart. I would not hesitate to run 5,000 to 6,000 mile OCIs with this oil.

Happy motoring!

 

[dropitby]

I ran Castrol Syntec in my truck fo 10 years changing at 5000 miles. It is a better oil today you will do good with it for 6-7K look at some of the UOA's I think there very good.

 

[tryn2lrn]

Thanks for the info, I haven't really priced Mobil 1 for a few years, I used to run it in my bikes. I didn't realize the price had come down that far. I guess full synthetic isn't the 9.00 a quart it used to be. If that is the case I guess I might as well go full synthetic and not worry about the 5k change interval. Thanks again.