I believe that REAL synthetic blends are a good example of the 80/20 “iceberg” principle. You get about 80% of the benefit from 20% of the premium input.
The problem is that mass-market blends currently available are a rip-off. First of all, they are not “real” synthetics. They are a mixture of Group II and Group III mineral stocks. Even when the “synthetic” component was a PAO or ester (Group IV & V), it was merely 10-15% in most blends and they just about doubled the price of each quart.
This was about 2-3 years ago. Currently, you are better off sticking with the cheaper ($1.50- $1.75 per quart) dino oils.
However, if Schaeffer’s synthetic blend starts off with a really good mineral oil (low volatility, high-flash point, etc …) and adds 25% PAO to it … along with a quality additive package … it should be an excellent performer. Testing posted on this board indicates this is the case. All this for about $3 per quart.
If my Civic continues to show traces of anti-freeze in the crankcase oil and I don’t want to have it diagnosed and fixed immediately, I will have to shorten my oil drain interval. Since Red Line is so darn expensive, I can’t justify using this stuff if my oil & filter interval will only be 3,000-4,000 miles. If that’s the case, I’m going to change my brand of oil. I may be switching to the Supreme 7000 5W30 blend by the end of the summer.