Switching to synthetic on high mileage engines

[thinshavings]

I see a lot of folks wanting to switch to synthetic oils on high mileage engines. I don't understand the logic behind it. Can someone fill me in?
I mean if you made it to 150,000 plus miles on dino why switch?

 

[TallPaul]

I switched to synthetic on my wife's Aerostar which has 107,000 miles. I did this because that thing's engine runs pretty how all wedged in up under the dash and because I got free Synpower and now have $2 clearance (from AutoZone) Maxlife Synthetic and others).

Also have a load of synthetic in my Pickup at 120,000 miles to see if it does any cleaning effect and just to see how it felt. Will go back to Durablend and Maxlife for that vehicle.

 

[Pablo]

Longer drain intervals
Better cold starts
Longer turbo life

Are 3 for sures. Could argue about better engine life, MPG, cooler running....

The PO of my turbo killed three turbochargers in 150,000 miles on dino oil. I have 103,000 miles on the current turbo with 10,000 mile OCI's. Engine is now finally clean. (After AutoRx as well) When I got the car all was not well - I was quite amazed how much better it ran one the rings freed up.

Your key words here are "made it to 150,000 plus miles" as in "Made it vs. perfect, like new running condition".

I suspect a lot of people have gummy rings and don't know it. I really think running synthetic oil at the very least slows this process. So back to your question - people switch to keep their cars running for a lot longer time.

 

[ruking77]

It would seem to me that one would want to make the decision early on in the life of the engine. So in my case after the usual break in period and all the boiler plate pronouncements I would go to the oil of choice (my case synthetic) as soon as possible. Why would one want to take the chance of this kind of build up with conventional oil when it has been more than amply demostrated synthetic oil is far less prone to sludge than conventional oil? It would seem to me to be backwards thinking to switch with high/er mileage, especially if one is under the impression synthetic has this "magic bullet" quality. As a long time user of synthetic, IT DOES NOT have a Magic bullet quality.

For me "starting off" with synthetic has a few benefits. 1. I do 15,000 mile OCI (as a min) Would folks do this with a conventional oil? From what I know of most conventional oils NO WAY. I would NOT even try this. 2. Less qts of product used. 3. Less oil filters used (up to 5 if one follows 3k intervals)3. less time on maintenance.

The most I have gone using a conventional oil is 10,000 miles (Honda OEM 5w20 made by EM). But to me, all this means is a Mobil One 0w20 oil can probably do 20,000 miles with NO problems. My time frame for this Honda Civic VP is INXS of 250,000 miles. So after the meager warranty period of 3/36, 11 oil changes of 20,000 miles should take me to that goal and beyond. Since I have done it before on another vehicle, there is no doubt in my mind that this car will make it, or not make it due to oil concerns.

[ May 29, 2005, 11:25 AM: Message edited by: ruking77 ]

 

[cortazzo]

I've had my Jimmy for two years, bought it with 65k, took it to quick change places before using dino oil. Engine was somewhat loud and rough, put in Mobil1 5w30 today at 76.6k and I instantly felt how much quieter and smoother the engine was, idle was slightly lower as well. The oil I changed out was in there for 3k and about 5 months, it was increadibly dark and murky.

 

[darkdan]

If it made it 150k miles on conventional oil it would have made it 150k miles on synthetic while enjoying all the added benefits that synthetics bring to the table.