Is there really any reason to use a "true" synthetic like redline or amsoil over motorcraft? Do these expensive oils protect the engine any better? What about varnish and sludge buildup?
"True" synthetic - advantages?
- Thread starter Riptide
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Good question...I have often wondered that myself. Honestly, I like the idea of full PAO's, but haven't seen or heard of them being any more superior than brands that use Group III/IV blends as their base, or providing less wear. For example, Schaeffer's is one that I know of that with certain oils, uses a combination of the two. And the wear results come back very nicely.
If your car is a daily driver and you practice normal OCI...No.
Car is driven twice a week (not a DD) for about 60 miles. At least one wide open throttle run each time it's taken out. Otherwise shifting around 2500-3000RPM normally.
Rather than adopting the mindless "nothing but the best" attitude, how about the simple analysis of cost/effectiveness?
If dino is $2/q and synth costs twice as much (or more) how effective is synth at 12k verses changing the dino at 6k? I say you get a better result on dino, provided that's correct for your engine. I don't mid changing oil, but a guy in a suit with an exotic car might not to want to pay for $200 oil changes every 2 months. It varies.
I'm trying to justify dumping my synth oil every 3 months at 6k because I have a whole room full of it. If I was buying oil at the store, no way would I be buying synth. Did I mention I like doing my oil changes?
If dino is $2/q and synth costs twice as much (or more) how effective is synth at 12k verses changing the dino at 6k? I say you get a better result on dino, provided that's correct for your engine. I don't mid changing oil, but a guy in a suit with an exotic car might not to want to pay for $200 oil changes every 2 months. It varies.
I'm trying to justify dumping my synth oil every 3 months at 6k because I have a whole room full of it. If I was buying oil at the store, no way would I be buying synth. Did I mention I like doing my oil changes?
if you have a high heat engine, such as a turbo/supercharger, syn typically holds up better in the temp extemes.
UOAs and comments I've read here and from BlackStone labs is that there is no clear evidence that Synth gives better wear #'s than Synth (at low OCIs - 5k and below).
But if you want an oil in your car that can (MUCH better) handle the extremes that may occur (forgetting to top-off, forgetting the OC by a couple of months, engine issues causing excessive heat, or being the owner of a newly designed engine that years later will have a class action suit against it, or you just like long OCIs) - then Synth is the path to peace of mind.
But if you want an oil in your car that can (MUCH better) handle the extremes that may occur (forgetting to top-off, forgetting the OC by a couple of months, engine issues causing excessive heat, or being the owner of a newly designed engine that years later will have a class action suit against it, or you just like long OCIs) - then Synth is the path to peace of mind.
As compared to the 1970s oils yes as compared to the 2000s oil minimal unless there are special reasons as mentioned.
I just changed the oil in my new Hyundai for the first time with a new filter (I changed it at 1000 miles with Clean5000 but left the factory filter on it) at the 2500-mile mark. It was a changed to Mobil1 Extended performance 5W30. Glad I did, I'm going LONG drains on this car because the oil filter is a pain in the can to get to, the oil gets all over the frame and splash guard, and is such a hassle, I won't be doing 5K dino OCI, I'll be doing 10K synthetic OCI instead. It's a CVVT f-cylinder, DOHC, and isn't hard on the oil, it'll have to do, but for the long drains, I'll be using synthetics. My stash of dino Clean5000 I'll use for my daughter's car.
If there's an advantage, it's the long-drain capability.
If there's an advantage, it's the long-drain capability.
Originally Posted By: Steve S
As compared to the 1970s oils yes as compared to the 2000s oil minimal unless there are special reasons as mentioned.
With "moderate" extremes I agree - the SM dinos are designed for them. But now go to THE extremes - the recent SAAB, VW, Toyota engines or the soccer mom that forgets to chg the oil for a year (or doesn't want to chg it for a year). The person with Pennz YB and the person w/ a top shelf long drain Synth are in two different worlds in these cases.
As compared to the 1970s oils yes as compared to the 2000s oil minimal unless there are special reasons as mentioned.
With "moderate" extremes I agree - the SM dinos are designed for them. But now go to THE extremes - the recent SAAB, VW, Toyota engines or the soccer mom that forgets to chg the oil for a year (or doesn't want to chg it for a year). The person with Pennz YB and the person w/ a top shelf long drain Synth are in two different worlds in these cases.
What about varnish and sludge buildup? Keeping the engine clean? Even if it's a car that isn't raced and oil changed every 5000 miles? Will the engine be cleaner vs. motorcraft or mobile 1?
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Mobil 1 has kept my junk exceptionally clean.
On my vehicles with decent filter access, its' oil/filter/lube every 3 months.
On the wifes' Lexus RX300, it gets top of the line synthetic and a Mobil 1 filter twice a year. That is due to the fact that the filter is a mother to get off and on....worst ever in my 35 years of changing oil.
On the wifes' Lexus RX300, it gets top of the line synthetic and a Mobil 1 filter twice a year. That is due to the fact that the filter is a mother to get off and on....worst ever in my 35 years of changing oil.
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