When to stop using Syn oil

[[email protected]]

Ive used Motorcraft semi-syn in my 2002 Envoy SLT for the first 60,000 miles I owned it. I then switched to Valvoline synpower and have been using that ever since.

The truck has 140,000 miles now and has been paid off for 2 years. Its 8 (going on 9) years old. The truck is in good shape otherwise - no rust at all, body in excellent shape and no mechanical issues.

Question is: Is it cost effective to keep using synthetic oil? Should I just switch to Mobil 5000 or some other respected conventional oil because of the age and mileage?

Its like the old argument of insurance - do you keep full coverage insurance on an 'older' vehicle with high miles or just switch to PL/PD (no fault insurance, because the value of the truck isnt worth it anymore.

 

[tig1]

What does age and mileage have to do with it? If you are going to run this engine for many miles to come, then the little cost differance for a quality synt is well worth it. I run only synt oils till the day my cars are sold.

 

[daves87rs]

Between the weather and roads here, it is worth it to keep it going.


Wife's Cav has been paid off 3 years now, worth a few grand (or something like that), and I still use Mobil 1 in it. Not going to change it either. It's the least I can do for the car for the good service it has given me...


You could and you would be fine, but why?

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: tig1
What does age and mileage have to do with it? If you are going to run this engine for many miles to come, then the little cost differance for a quality synt is well worth it. I run only synt oils till the day my cars are sold.


+1

 

[getnpsi]

If there is no leaking and no measurable burning then consider your engine just like half the mileage, as there are plenty of dirty ones out there not even at the 100k mark.
Get a used oil analysis and see how much longer you can push it to reap in more long run savings.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Since you're driving the truck about 15k miles a year you can do 6 months OCI's Synpower or PP, with conventional oil you may need to do 3-4 OCI's a year. The cost of either will be about the same.

 

[Steve S]

What are you oil change intervals with the syn? HTSS_TR recommendations make sense you want to milk all the life out of that puppy you can.

 

[5sfe91]

Syn may allow you longer OCI meaning less oil being used and less oil changes over all. Assuming you run the synpower more than 7500 miles.

 

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted By: getnpsi
If there is no leaking and no measurable burning then consider your engine just like half the mileage, as there are plenty of dirty ones out there not even at the 100k mark.
Get a used oil analysis and see how much longer you can push it to reap in more long run savings.


Ive had 2 used oil analysis done in the past 8.5 years.. they came back with fantastic results (almost no wear metals) on either oil. I did post both used oil analysis here in the used oil analysis section... search them up!

Originally Posted By: 5sfe91
Syn may allow you longer OCI meaning less oil being used and less oil changes over all. Assuming you run the synpower more than 7500 miles.


The I-6 engine in the Envoy has a 7 quart sump. I get nervous around 6000 miles and always have changed it then. I use about a quart of makeup oil between then.



So I guess the consensus is to stick with the synthetic!

 

[[email protected]]

You know what, I have nothing better to do today...dont bother to search up my old used oil analysis, Im just going to post them

First UOA:

Second UOA:

 

[demarpaint]

I start a new cars life off with Synthetic oil, and as long as the love affair continues I use Synthetic oil. I'm still using synthetic oil in a van from 1988, and have no plans at the moment to change it to dino. Once the love affair ends and it is demoted to beater status I'll swith to dino. I don't see that happening tough in this case.

 

[ZZman]

Oil cost is such a small expense in the grand scheme of things. Fuel cost is much bigger expense. Going out to eat or to a movie is a bigger expense.

Why change a good thing?

 

[mechtech2]

I see Michigan winters and lots of miles per year.
A Full Synthetic is a very good choice for you. Better in those extreme cold morning starts, and longer OCIs.

My miles rack up a lot slower - different circumstances. I use Motorcraft or Pennzoil conventional now.

 

[[email protected]]

You know, on a different spin on my question here... would there be any advantage to me switching from the Valvoline syn-power that Ive been using for years to Max-life Full Synthetic or semi-syn?

I dont have any oil leaks, but plenty of seepage spots from the valve cover from over the years.

 

[ryan2022]

Originally Posted By: getnpsi
If there is no leaking and no measurable burning then consider your engine just like half the mileage, as there are plenty of dirty ones out there not even at the 100k mark.
Get a used oil analysis and see how much longer you can push it to reap in more long run savings.



x2. Cost is a wash, if youre extending your drains.