Synthetic Or Dino Of Any Brand Does It Matter Much

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I'll say it again, that those of you who say it doesn't matter because there's no perceived difference when running dino and synthetics at the same interval are missing the point. Regardless of how much information there is here on BITOG, there are still those who don't recommend going past 3kmi, 5kmi, 10kmi, one year, etc. All of these are arbitrary numbers and irrespective of the oil used. Heck, there's a thread I just read where the OP is wondering whether to add half a quart of Redline after 4700 miles or change it out. I guess I don't understand this overly conservative attitude amongst oil enthusiasts. Most people don't even know what Redline oil is, but those who do, and have the where with all to read up on it here, still can't quite break the need to change the oil too frequently.

It's safe to say that we've all moved on from the archaic 3kmi oil change intervals, but there are a lot who are still unwilling to realize the potential of the different oils out there. With that in mind, no, it doesn't matter which oil you use. For those of us trying to get the most out of our oil, yes, yes it does matter. As stated, I doubled my oil change interval switching from a group II (Cam2) to a Group III/III+ (Rotella T6).

Hypothetically speaking, would some one who can safely - backed up by UOA - run an OCI of 25kmi and two years on a group IV/V synthetic not see benefit if he/she was only able to run a group II+ oil to 8kmi?

IMO, it's all about value, convenience and partially nerdy need-to-knowness. It's very convenient to pay more than double for an oil change, but not have to change it for double the amount of miles. It's fun to send out samples for analysis and play backyard tribologist with the results. However, I might change my tune if my car burned through 1 qt every 500 miles. Realistically, I'd tear the motor down, but, saying I didn't, I for sure wouldn't be dumping $10/qt oil down the drain every 500 miles. I'd pick a suitably spec'd oil and probably only every change the filter.
 
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Hi guys
I have been changing my own oil for 40 years and the most important thing doing regular changes.Use any name brand oil of your choice with a good filter.I would never go 10,000 miles on any oil or filter because there is no good reason to.Oil is too cheap to risk any damage just to be able to brag about how you did it. People saying that they want to get all the use out oil before changing is the same as saying dont drain the bath tub yet because you can get a few more baths out of it! Silly.
 
It only matters if your manual says it matters. If the manual calls for a synthetic with awesome specs, don't throw in the cheapest dino you can get your hands on.

So in conclusion, yes, in 95% of situations, with a reasonable OCI, it simply doesn't matter.
 
Originally Posted By: VRAY
Hi guys
I have been changing my own oil for 40 years and the most important thing doing regular changes.Use any name brand oil of your choice with a good filter.I would never go 10,000 miles on any oil or filter because there is no good reason to.Oil is too cheap to risk any damage just to be able to brag about how you did it. People saying that they want to get all the use out oil before changing is the same as saying dont drain the bath tub yet because you can get a few more baths out of it! Silly.





This is perfect!! And I agree 100%!
 
Here is my take: In the large scheme of things as long as you change your oil with a rated product ( API SN for ex.) you are 90% ahead of the game. The remaining 10% is where personal choice comes in on dino vs. syn and brand preference for what each oils niche is and gut feel on what your vehicle performs best with, be it perceived or actual.
 
I agree too, in general.
As we now use cars, it takes at least ten weeks for any given car to hit 5K, when I like to change the oil.
Running syns that are probably mostly Grp III, I don't worry about going 6K if it ends up being more convenient.
Now, what if I had to drive ~1K a week?
You can bet I'd be all over UOAs and extended drains.
A UOA will tell you how any given oil is holding up in your engine as you use it, and so could and should be used to open up the envelope.
However, VRAY is correct that oil is too cheap to extend drains, unless you drive enough that short drains are simply too inconvenient, in which case you might want to investigate extended drains and oils and filters that will work with them.
 
Originally Posted By: VRAY
Hi guys
I have been changing my own oil for 40 years and the most important thing doing regular changes.Use any name brand oil of your choice with a good filter.I would never go 10,000 miles on any oil or filter because there is no good reason to.Oil is too cheap to risk any damage just to be able to brag about how you did it. People saying that they want to get all the use out oil before changing is the same as saying dont drain the bath tub yet because you can get a few more baths out of it! Silly.


+1. Well said.
Oil changes flush out all the junk, acids, fuel etc that the oil picks up over time.
I change mine regularly, and will never do 10,000 plus miles on oil without changing it, its still dirty.
 
Hi guys
I have a 1987 F-150 that I putter around town in and back and forth to work.It takes me 6 months to put 3000 miles on it so that is when I change it. I know I could go longer but I get antsy if I dont.i got it from an old friend who changed it every 3 months regardless of mileage.He used only Valvoline wb and at 130,000 miles had the valve cover gaskets replaced and I saw for myself it was spotless.I had a chance to buy it and I did.
 
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
I'll say it again, that those of you who say it doesn't matter because there's no perceived difference when running dino and synthetics at the same interval are missing the point. Regardless of how much information there is here on BITOG, there are still those who don't recommend going past 3kmi, 5kmi, 10kmi, one year, etc. All of these are arbitrary numbers and irrespective of the oil used. Heck, there's a thread I just read where the OP is wondering whether to add half a quart of Redline after 4700 miles or change it out. I guess I don't understand this overly conservative attitude amongst oil enthusiasts. Most people don't even know what Redline oil is, but those who do, and have the where with all to read up on it here, still can't quite break the need to change the oil too frequently.

It's safe to say that we've all moved on from the archaic 3kmi oil change intervals, but there are a lot who are still unwilling to realize the potential of the different oils out there. With that in mind, no, it doesn't matter which oil you use. For those of us trying to get the most out of our oil, yes, yes it does matter. As stated, I doubled my oil change interval switching from a group II (Cam2) to a Group III/III+ (Rotella T6).

Hypothetically speaking, would some one who can safely - backed up by UOA - run an OCI of 25kmi and two years on a group IV/V synthetic not see benefit if he/she was only able to run a group II+ oil to 8kmi?

IMO, it's all about value, convenience and partially nerdy need-to-knowness. It's very convenient to pay more than double for an oil change, but not have to change it for double the amount of miles. It's fun to send out samples for analysis and play backyard tribologist with the results. However, I might change my tune if my car burned through 1 qt every 500 miles. Realistically, I'd tear the motor down, but, saying I didn't, I for sure wouldn't be dumping $10/qt oil down the drain every 500 miles. I'd pick a suitably spec'd oil and probably only every change the filter.


I am a Redline Oil User and just because the Oil "can" go longer doesn't mean you have to. In my car I change the Oil every 3K miles. Am I wasting money? Maybe, but to me as stated by another member, oil is cheap. My turbo costs $2000, my motor? I don't even want to know, so if I change the oil more frequently than needed, to me that is preventive maintenence.

There are different types of folks on this site. People that are looking for best performance, HP, MPG's etc from their oil, and those that want to find the EDI oil that will last 25K miles and then test it and just see how far they can go on oil. I am not in the latter bunch. I use Redline for its performance characteristics, not for the fact I can go 10K miles with it. Going that far on an oil change in ANY High performance car is a mistake that I for one cannot afford.

My service manual says change the Oil every 3K miles, My tuner says to change it even more frequently than that, and at times, I change the oil after every dyno session or Track Event, just to be on the safe side. Oil is cheap in comparison to new parts, that is for sure.

Jeff
 
Originally Posted By: BobFout
The rest of the world is laughing at our silly OCIs for daily drivers.


Most people don't give OCI's much thought.
 
Originally Posted By: kender
Originally Posted By: BobFout
The rest of the world is laughing at our silly OCIs for daily drivers.


Most people don't give OCI's much thought.


I agree, I know the europeans are used to going long intervals on oil changes, but folks, weather its in the USA or Europe or anywhere, its all dependent on the application. I refuse to see how long the oil will last in my Evo. Turbo and motor cost big money to replace. I feel any performance enthusiast anywhere in the world changes his or her oil more frequently than needed. Its "preventive" maintenence to me. I can spend $50 for 5 bottles of Redline every 3-5K miles, or try and go farther and fry a $2000 turbo that hits 28psi at WOT. I think I would rather just change the oil more. haha.

If being cautious is wasteful? Then I am wasteful.

Jeff
 
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