Synthetic vs Conventional PCMO

Pennzoil motor oil
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NPA747

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Good Day,
Recently I purchased a 1996 Corolla with 68K miles on the odometer, the previous owner used conventional 15W40. I was considering using full synthetic Mobil 1, but was advised to use 10w40 Mobil Super conventional oil by an auto mechanic, the mechanics' reasoning is that the full synthetic oil would not offer enough benefit when comparing the price of it to conventional. What are your thoughts, experience?
Thanks.
 
Go with what you wanted; Mobil 1. And a Corolla does not need a 40. 5w30 will suit you since you are in Deutschland
 
Originally Posted By: NPA747
the mechanics' reasoning is that the full synthetic oil would not offer enough benefit when comparing the price of it to conventional


Agree.
 
It depends on your oil change interval. If plan to dump it at 5-7K, then it is not worth using an synthetic oil. BTW - the oil specified for your engine was 5w30 or 10w30 in hotter climates. Here from the owner's manual:

"SAE 5w30 is the best choice for your vehicle, for good fuel economy, and good starting in cold weather.If you use SAE 10w30 engine oil in extremely low temperatures, the engine may become difficult to start, so SAE 5w30 engine oil is recommended."
 
Originally Posted By: marc1
Originally Posted By: NPA747
the mechanics' reasoning is that the full synthetic oil would not offer enough benefit when comparing the price of it to conventional


Agree.


Just asking, how do you know that? You don't know the price differential (in Germany), and the oil change interval, and the potential savings when buying less filters?
 
On my 95 Prizm, same engine as corolla, I use 5w30 and 10w30 synthetic with no problems. If u use conventional oil, then I wouldn't go much over 5000 mile OCI. I am doing 7500 OCI on my beater.
 
corolla engines are utilitarian type, mass-produced ones (not some exotic high performance, high compression type), so conventional oil that meets Corolla's Germany owner's manual requirements will do just fine.

Syn or not syn (on utilitarian, mass-production automobiles) has to do with the fact that (a) is it mandatory? and/or (b) does the automotive manufacturer calls for it? (c) is Syn seriously costing more to that than conventional in that region?

Once you figure that out, given reasonable OCI, the rest of the answer is rather straightforward, if not becoming mundane.

Q.
 
I only use synthetic on all of my Toyotas (3). It keeps the engines clean which is worth it to me. This is especially important with vvt engines.
 
Originally Posted By: gfh77665
Originally Posted By: marc1
Originally Posted By: NPA747
the mechanics' reasoning is that the full synthetic oil would not offer enough benefit when comparing the price of it to conventional


Agree.


Just asking, how do you know that? You don't know the price differential (in Germany), and the oil change interval, and the potential savings when buying less filters?


I am not sure if you quoted the wrong person. If you did ignore my response if you didn't:

1) I am agreeing with his mechanic's opinion on the type of oil needed, no need for further clarification or a return query.
2) I do happen to know the price difference in Germany.
3) I do know the OE OCI. I do not know the OP's OCI. Not knowing the latter does not change my opinion at all.
4) I am also able to do the arithmetic on the savings.

None of 2, 3 or 4 above factor into my agreeing with the mechanic.
 
Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
5w30 mobil 5000 or Pennzoil conventional and that engine will run over 300,000 miles if you use synthetic it may start to leak.


What?

I think DH would disagree with you given that he ran a fleet of engines to north of 1.2 million Km's on Delvac 1.... I don't recall him ever mentioning that they started leaking because he ran synthetic.
 
around here its 5w30 in my opinion i saw very few of these engines have problems and we are a busy engine shop but on the other hand these engines are for the most part bulletproof so maybe 10w60 would work but i would not try that.
 
Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
around here its 5w30 in my opinion i saw very few of these engines have problems and we are a busy engine shop but on the other hand these engines are for the most part bulletproof so maybe 10w60 would work but i would not try that.


Punctuation?
 
Originally Posted By: marc1


I am not sure if you quoted the wrong person. If you did ignore my response if you didn't:

1) I am agreeing with his mechanic's opinion on the type of oil needed, no need for further clarification or a return query.
2) I do happen to know the price difference in Germany.
3) I do know the OE OCI. I do not know the OP's OCI. Not knowing the latter does not change my opinion at all.
4) I am also able to do the arithmetic on the savings.

None of 2, 3 or 4 above factor into my agreeing with the mechanic.


1)You can "agree", but it is a qualified opinion he stated, based on prices he left unstated.

2)You know the price difference in Germany? Where is the poster located in Germany? In the US and Canada, prices vary greatly from "almost free" to substantially overpriced. Does Germany have perfectly identical oil pricing across the nation? What vendor does he buy from? Do you know that too?

3) If you are doing a price/mile (or KM) comparison, you cannot calculate it without the denominator being known. "Opinions" of relative values are baseless without this information.

4)See #3.
 
Hi and welcome on BITOG!

For starters Mobil 1 is not a synthetic oil. I do not mention this to start a debate, but to point out that 80% of oils sold in Europe are same group 3 as Mobil 1. I'm not saying it's a bad oil, it's great actually, but it's not really a best buy so to speak.

Anything over 5w40 would be overkill in every way and waste of money for that car. Find some A3/B4 in 5w40 grade with good price. Use only big names as Total, Elf, Liqui Moly, Selenia, Shell or Mobil .
LM is German and great product BTW.
Cheers.
 
Originally Posted By: chrisri
Hi and welcome on BITOG!

For starters Mobil 1 is not a synthetic oil.


Both Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy oils, the 0w-20 and 0w30 are around 30% PAO. Not "synthetic" by German standards but not all group III (VISOM) either. The Mobil 1 Extended Performance products, the 0w-20 for example, is 70% PAO and synthetic by the German definition.

Some Mobil 1 products are synthetic by the German definition. Others are not. But that does not mean they don't have a good slug of synthetic base stocks as part of their composition.
 
Overkill, yes some Mobil oils could be synthetics, but OW40 is not. All those brands I mentioned before ( maybe except shell) could use some PAO in their formula as well and are top notch.
I was just pointing out that Mobil 1 is overly expensive to buy in Europe. That's all.
 
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