Too late to switch to synthetic?

[MichaelG]

I have bought a 99 Honda Accord V6 (from a family member) that's always had regular oil changes - every 3,000 with regular oil and a filter change (Fram). The car has 55,000 miles on it.

Is it too late to switch over to synthetic? I was thinking of going over to Mobile 1 oil and filter. I've heard of issues concerning seals/leakage problems.

I'm new to the boards and have spent a lot of time catching up on info about filters and oil. I'd been using Fram filters forever and now know the error of my ways. For my last oil change (before discovering the board) I went with a Fram X2 - from what I hear, not bad but not great either, considering the cost. Will probably go with Bosch Premium or Mobile 1 filter next time.

 

[Patman]

It's definitely not too late by any means. I bought my 95 Formula used with 56k on it and immediately switched to synthetics as soon as I got it home from the dealer!

 

[DEWFPO]

It's almost never too late if your planning on keeping it. I switched one car over at 120,000 miles, now has 152,000 miles.

DEWFPO

 

[haley10]

Sounds like your car has been very well maintained. I bet the engine is very clean anyway. You should have no problems whatsoever. I'd just switch at the next oil change.

 

[JohnBrowning]

It is never too late! I would definately go over to M1! I would pass on the $10 oil filter though! Fleetguard, Baldwin, Hastings are going to do just as good of a job at 1/2 the price. I would just use a Walmart Super Tech,STP or Delco filter on it and call it good!

 

[G-MAN]

quote:

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Originally posted by Patman:
It's definitely not too late by any means. I bought my 95 Formula used with 56k on it and immediately switched to synthetics as soon as I got it home from the dealer!

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Patman, what year did the F bodies go to the LS1 350? 1998?

 

[greasezerk]

At 55,000 miles and 4+ years old i think i would auto rx that engine before i would put in syn. I would want to be sure that the engine and seals are clean and ready to go before i would switch over to syn. Its a Honda so it will go for many miles even on dino oil. Even though the oil was changed every 3k there are some deposits in the engine which the arx will dissolve and will give you more pep out of the engine. Run a good injector cleaner in it for 2 or 3 tanks of gas. That will produce noticable improvments also. Let us know what ya do to it and if you can tell an improvement

 

[TooSlick]

My general rule of thumb is that as long as the engine is less than 12 years old and has been well maintained, it's fine to switch to synthetic, regardless of the # of miles. This idea that you can't switch to synthetic oil after 4-5 years is just stupid. I've changed over engines with 150,000-200,000 miles on them and had no problems. At worse, you may end up having to change the valve cover gaskets and some rubber grommets, but that's about it....

The only time I wouldn't recommend switching to Amsoil is if the engine is leaking like a sieve. If oil burning is an issue, the Amsoil engine flush and their 20w-50 racing oil significantly reduce this problem ....I changed over a 1981, 280Z w/ the original engine, that was burning a qt of Castrol 20w-50 every 2000 miles. After flushing it out and installing a 20w-50 synthetic, that was reduced to a quart every 5000-6000 miles.

I'm sure switching from a petroleum lube to the Mobil 1, 15w-50 or Redline 5w-40, would also reduce oil consumption in the vast majority of cases ....

Tooslick

[ February 23, 2004, 06:24 AM: Message edited by: Patman ]

 

[Patman]

quote:

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Originally posted by G-Man II:

quote:

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Originally posted by Patman:
It's definitely not too late by any means. I bought my 95 Formula used with 56k on it and immediately switched to synthetics as soon as I got it home from the dealer!

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Patman, what year did the F bodies go to the LS1 350? 1998?

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Yes, that is correct. I had a 1998 Firebird Formula, the main reason I traded my 95 Trans Am that I had, was to get the new LS1. I had zero troubles with my LS1.

FWIW, the Corvette got the LS1 one year earlier, in the 1997 model year.