Why even use conventional oil anymore?

[stchman]

Over the last 5 years, I have seen the price of conventional oil go up and synthetic oil go up, but not as fast.

Was at my local Walmart and a 5 quart jug of Valvoline 5W-30 conventional oil was ~$15. A 5 quart jug of Mobil 1 5W-30 was ~$23. That's only $8 more for a much better oil. Considering you can get probably 3K miles more life on the oil conventional vs. synthetic, synthetic ends up costing you le$$ in the long run.

I've also seen Supertech full synthetic on sale for $18. While ST is probably not as good as Mobil 1, I'm certain it is superior to any conventional.

This coupled with a good oil filter (Fram Ultra, Mobil 1, K&N, etc.) and you could probably get 5K more out of your oil.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

 

[tig1]

Hi neighbor! Longer OCIs has been my practice for nearly 4 decades with synthetic oil. Others are catching on as well.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I bought conventional oil only when it was on sale at $10 for 5-qt plus filter. My current stash is mostly synthetic (I bought on sale plus rebate), only 1 quart conventional left.

 

[05LGTLtd]

Originally Posted By: stchman
...

I've also seen Supertech full synthetic on sale for $18. While ST is probably not as good as Mobil 1, I'm certain it is superior to any conventional.

...


Warning our intelligence predicts hostile retaliatory activity headed in your direction from multiple sources...

 

[Quest]

I'm going the opposite direction---as opposed to using so-called "syn", my believe is that conventional oil of latest spec is so good (good enough for our utilitarian vehicles) that I'm using them w/o fear.

PYB, QState green, etc. for 7k oci, and my wifey's camry reached 171k odo reading recently, and still past local emissions testings w/o burning any oil throughout 7k oci period.

I'm doing the same thing on my fit, by following it's olm instead.

Q.

 

[KCJeep]

I'm with Quest. With today's conventionals so good, why spend the money on full syn? Especially since a perusal of the UOA section here will show most full syns are drained at 5-7k.

The real benefit of synthetics, extended OCI's, is seldom fully realized even by a BITOG'er. The masses even less so I'd imagine.

 

[jrustles]

Originally Posted By: KCJeep
I'm with Quest. With today's conventionals so good, why spend the money on full syn? Especially since a perusal of the UOA section here will show most full syns are drained at 5-7k.

The real benefit of synthetics, extended OCI's, is seldom fully realized even by a BITOG'er. The masses even less so I'd imagine.


Yeah, conventional has really evolved
plus
it's cheap, adequate for 3-5K OCIs
most Shops/Customers don't want to extend OCIs
customer doesn't need to learn about TBN, UOAs or even think twice about motor oil other than 5K changes

I run conventional (re-refined in fact) for average OCIs in some of the non-performance oriented fleet, mostly because I got it for $6/JUG

 

[PandaBear]

because quality of conventional is also catching up to syn.

 

[y_p_w]

I keep on asking the following question - What is "synthetic" these days?

However......

Most oil changes aren't done at home with oil purchased at a discount or auto parts store. They're mostly at quick-lube places, dealers, and general repair shops. They get exceptional prices for bulk oil meeting the API SN spec. My folks tell me about how they can get a complete oil change for $15. I'm not convinced they're using a top-shelf conventional oil, the filter was a basic Champ quickie-lube special, and I don't think they used a new crush washer since the OEM gasket I saw when I changed the oil isn't something they're likely to carry.

However, this kind of service and parts is "good enough" for most people. If someone shops based on price and/or convenience, are they going to go to Jiffy Lube for the $25 basic oil change with coupon or pay an additional $20 to $30 for Pennzoil Platinum? It may sound like a $5 to $8 difference to the DIYer, but it's not to the car owner taking it to a shop and paying a flat rate for 5 quarts of oil. And then there's paying a flat rate for synthetic oil even with small oil sump.

 

[Nick1994]

Old people, and people with multiple cars who only drive 4k a year on their car, why waste $ on synthetic? I got about 125 quarts for on average .42 a quart at O'Reilly's during their coupon sale in May,

 

[CourierDriver]

Some time back I ask : Has anyone ever blown an engine with any brand of oil they have used..I think there was near zero answers,but I ran an 94 Taurus over 200k without a hitch with Havoline 10w30 ,long b 4 I got on Bob is the oil guy....never blew the engine.............

 

[Jeffs2006EvoIX]

I feel on NA (normally aspirated) cars, and non DI (direct injection) I find non synthetic would savice. Granted, you cant go 10K miles on it.

My Dads 1960 VW Bug never saw a drop of synthetic and it runs as smooth as a sewing machine for the past 50 yrs.

Routine maintenance is key factor here. People I think feel that if they use synthetic that they can "skip" maintenance or something like that.

Even with Synthetic under certain apps like in my previous cars running High Boost and such, I would change that oil often as well. Not everyone that uses Synthetic is into EDI's. Though that seems to be the main reason on these forums.

Changing the oil is cheap insurance to longevity of a motor. Granted oils of today are much better than yesterday. Going 10-15K on oil just because you can get every last bit of life out of it makes no sense to me on such an expensive investment.

Maintenance is key here Synthetic or conventional oil. Just Change it before it NEEDS it. Following this rule, even in racing has netted me very realizable vehicles.

Jeff

 

[KenO]

I would have to agree, unless a manufacturer specifies a synthetic, or your engine sees some kind of severe duty (turbocharging, heavy work, high heat, etc.), then modern conventionals are fantastic. Pick your flavor, and run with it.

 

[KrisZ]

Because it works and works well in apps that call for generic SM/SN formula.

 

[otis24]

In addition to extended drains, the other benefits of synthetic are better cold flow/start-up protection and better resistance against fuel dilution, in addition to extended drains. As stated, the price differnce between conventional and synthetic can be pretty minimual these days, especially if you use coupons/rebates.

 

[DragRace]

Originally Posted By: Jeffs2006EvoIX
I feel on NA (normally aspirated) cars, and non DI (direct injection) I find non synthetic would savice. Granted, you cant go 10K miles on it.

My Dads 1960 VW Bug never saw a drop of synthetic and it runs as smooth as a sewing machine for the past 50 yrs.

Routine maintenance is key factor here. People I think feel that if they use synthetic that they can "skip" maintenance or something like that.

Even with Synthetic under certain apps like in my previous cars running High Boost and such, I would change that oil often as well. Not everyone that uses Synthetic is into EDI's. Though that seems to be the main reason on these forums.

Changing the oil is cheap insurance to longevity of a motor. Granted oils of today are much better than yesterday. Going 10-15K on oil just because you can get every last bit of life out of it makes no sense to me on such an expensive investment.

Maintenance is key here Synthetic or conventional oil. Just Change it before it NEEDS it. Following this rule, even in racing has netted me very realizable vehicles.

Jeff


Agree 100% spot on!

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted By: otis24
In addition to extended drains, the other benefits of synthetic are better cold flow/start-up protection and better resistance against fuel dilution, in addition to extended drains. As stated, the price differnce between conventional and synthetic can be pretty minimual these days, especially if you use coupons/rebates.


How is synthetic going to better resist fuel dilution? Synthetics will not magically repel fuel. They will absorb it along with moisture and other contaminant just like any other oil because that's what oils are designed to do. And since fuel lacks lubricating properties, it's going to deteriorate synthetic oil just the same as conventional because synthetics do not have better lubricating properties over conventional.
I don't know what the condemnation point is as far as fuel dilution is concerned, but whatever percentage that is, it will not vary depending on the oil's base stock. A testing lab will condemn the oil for removal just the same upon seeing certain percentage of fuel in oil.

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Originally Posted By: otis24
In addition to extended drains, the other benefits of synthetic are better cold flow/start-up protection and better resistance against fuel dilution, in addition to extended drains. As stated, the price differnce between conventional and synthetic can be pretty minimual these days, especially if you use coupons/rebates.


How is synthetic going to better resist fuel dilution? Synthetics will not magically repel fuel. They will absorb it along with moisture and other contaminant just like any other oil because that's what oils are designed to do. And since fuel lacks lubricating properties, it's going to deteriorate synthetic oil just the same as conventional because synthetics do not have better lubricating properties over conventional.
I don't know what the condemnation point is as far as fuel dilution is concerned, but whatever percentage that is, it will not vary depending on the oil's base stock. A testing lab will condemn the oil for removal just the same upon seeing certain percentage of fuel in oil.

What modern engines have issues with fuel dilution?

Any vehicle driven occasionally on the freeway should burn off fuel and water.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

All DI engines have issues with fuel dilution - some worse than others.

 

[MileHigh18]

Isn't pyb up there with most synthetic oils as far as wear additives and whatnot?