Any recommendations on synthetic oil and oil filter brands? I have a 97 3.2tl with 110,000 miles.

Also, how long are you guys going on synthetic before changing?

I'll switch mine over at next change as well. Not sure on type but I know it generally depends on driving style and climate. For me, garage kept and easy miles, I'm pretty sure Mobil1 5W30 will do the trick.

As far as interval, only extreme drivers with harsh weather need to change synthetic at 3K miles. Just about everyone else should be able to get 5-7K on synthetic.

I use Mobil 1 5w-30.

Castrol Syntec is "fake" synthetic. It's actually highly refined conventional oil. Mobil took them to court because they were selling Syntec as synthetic. Castrol won, which paved the way for other manufacturers to sell not quite synthetic stuff as fully synthetic. You can't tell which is which from the bottle either.

As for oil filter, I just use Fram or STP and change everytime I change the oil. Seems to be doing fine so far.

I usually go 7,500 miles between changes. 5,000 in the summer time when it becomes 100°. Being in NJ with a more mild climate, you could probably go up to 7,500 year round. That way, you can let the maintenance interval reminder do the work of keeping track.

I switched using 5W-30 but don't know if it does anything to use 10W-30 next time.

My only deal is that I spoke with some mechanics and they actually said to change the synthetic at 3000 instead of 3500. I think they're being a pain in my butt, but i will soon find out.

Also i heard that you should change the filter after about 1k to 2k after you switch over since the debri is going to clog up the filter faster.

What do you think of your car currently? Have you been changing oil regularly? If you have then you probably don't need to change out the filter until you change out the oil too.

If you are still concerned, then get some cheap Dexron III automatic transmission fluid at Wal-Mart and drain your oil. Keep the oil filter on though. Then fill your car with the ATF and let it fast idle for 10 minutes or so. Drain the ATF, change the filter, and refill with synthetic. ATF is a good solvent and it will dissolve and carry with it a lot of the deposits that synthetic would.


There is absolutely no point to changing synthetic oil at 3,000 for any street driven car. I don't even imagine a turbocharged car would need such frequent service. Normal oil is just beginning to get worn at 3,000. This is hardly scientific but if you put some new oil between your fingers and then put some worn oil between your fingers, you will feel the difference. Worn oil is watery.

Then put some new synthetic and some 5,000 mile synthetic. Chances are, it will feel pretty much the same.

I use Mobile 1 10w30 in my 3.2 TL. I change it every 6000 KMS and have been using it since about 120000 KM's. Engine has never run better. Passed my smog tests with FLYING colours earlier this year and me big ack pulls hard right to the redline every time. Letting Synthetic oil stay in the car longer just defeats the purpose of the extra protecion you get by using it!!

Honestly I dont think synthetic is even broken down at 3000...I've heard that if you change it at 7000, it still wont be broken down, but the filter is what needs to be changed...I'm going to go 7500 and see how it goes. I'm on my first run with synthetic now.

In the least, go with 4,000 miles with synthetic.

The user manual recommends 3,750 for regular oil under the severe conditions category.

Royal Purle in my opion is the best synthetic around

i usually use a synthetic blend in my 96 2.5TL and it works fine from what i can tell i change at about 3000 due to severe city miles.

i use mobile synthetic (5w-30) on my corvette and i am planning to switch to synthetic on my TL to see the difference...

royal purple cost a grip. i heard once you go royal purple, you can't use any other oil??

Not sure if u always have to use it but from what I hear from all the mechanics etc. it is one of the very best things you can put in your car.

I use Valvoline Max Life Synthetic and a Honda Oil Filter at every 3750 interval. I was using Mobil 1, but they didn't make a high mileage oil. I tried Royal Purple once (a buddy of mine bought a TON of it for his Integra Type R) but I didn't feel too much of a difference. If we had a super high performance auto cross car, then I would highly recommend RP. Otherwise, it's not worth the expense.