Synthetic oil?

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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 07:59 AM
  #1  
meazz1's Avatar
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Burning Brakes
 
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From: Auburn, GA
Synthetic oil?

I regularly change oil myself every 3k with conventional 10W40.
When it comes to synthetic oil, I have no clue. Is it ok to use Synthetic oil in this TL, the original engine had 245k, I put in a used engine now and not really sure how many miles on this one.
I read in different sites that it’s not wise to use synthetic on a high mileage car.
Is it ok to use synthetic oil and what is a good brand?
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 10:45 AM
  #2  
tmnhs81's Avatar
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I don't really care. I change every 2500-3000 miles so I use conventional, My dad uses synthetic. Good brand, I'd say anything from castrol and mobil1.

I never heard of not to use synthetic in high mileage, so I think its just a myth.
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 11:32 AM
  #3  
Mandy's Avatar
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Currently using a synthetic blend 5W-30. Changing it every 5K~6K miles depending on how the oil looks and smells.

What are you using a 10W-40?
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 12:24 PM
  #4  
meazz1's Avatar
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Burning Brakes
 
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From: Auburn, GA
Originally Posted by Mandy
Currently using a synthetic blend 5W-30. Changing it every 5K~6K miles depending on how the oil looks and smells.

What are you using a 10W-40?
it was leaking some oil once from the oil pan / or rare mainseal, so I went with heavier oil to reduce the leak. Eventually it almost went away. Now, once in a while, I see a drop or two on my drive way.
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Old Feb 10, 2009 | 12:44 AM
  #5  
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The risk with using synthetic oils on a high mileage car is that the oil will clean up and that is both good and bad. It is good for your engine, but bad if the buildup is what is keeping your oil seals from leaking. If you're confident in the condition of your engine the change to synthetic should be harmless, but you mentioned having a minor leak already, and personally if it were my car I wouldn't make the change since it could make the leak worse.

I use amsoil engine oil for the high performance cars, castrol synthetic for weekend cruiser, and regular pennzoil for the daily drivers.
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Old Feb 10, 2009 | 07:52 AM
  #6  
meazz1's Avatar
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Burning Brakes
 
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From: Auburn, GA
Originally Posted by LDH
The risk with using synthetic oils on a high mileage car is that the oil will clean up and that is both good and bad. It is good for your engine, but bad if the buildup is what is keeping your oil seals from leaking. If you're confident in the condition of your engine the change to synthetic should be harmless, but you mentioned having a minor leak already, and personally if it were my car I wouldn't make the change since it could make the leak worse.

I use amsoil engine oil for the high performance cars, castrol synthetic for weekend cruiser, and regular pennzoil for the daily drivers.
this is what I was affraid of.
Someone warned me about using syn. oil on high mileage car.

thnx
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Old Feb 10, 2009 | 12:23 PM
  #7  
vas25tl's Avatar
The Box
 
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I wouldn't do it...

I'm at 238K and been using Penzoil for the past 10 years....runs great
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Old Nov 27, 2010 | 03:39 PM
  #8  
9632tl's Avatar
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I switched from Mobil1 0-30 to Amsoil sso 0-30
My engine makes more noise now. I didn't notice any improvements, and it costs a shit-ton.
I am not impressed so far. No way am I leaving it in for 25,000 miles.
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 01:47 AM
  #9  
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0 weight is too thin for our engines, 5 or 10 weight
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 02:53 AM
  #10  
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You're not supposed to use 0w-30 for these engines. look at your owners manual for oil weight requirements. Amsoil 0w-30 is probably so thin that it is making the engine louder. 0w-30 is for use in extremely low temperature digits(something like -32). Drain and refill with Amsoil 5w-30 or 10w-30. I use 5w-30 personally. With use of a Wix filter, you can run 7,500 miles on the oil. I personally use it for 7500 miles then put a new wix filter on, add oil to bring it back up to level, then drive for another 7500 miles. You can only run it for 25k miles or 1 year (whichever cones first), with normal driving, and 15k miles or 1 year (again, whichever comes first), for hard driving, if you're using an Amsoil filter, which they don't make for our application. Are you buying Amsoil online? Its much cheaper at a local distributor.

Last edited by desired_speeds; Nov 28, 2010 at 02:56 AM.
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 10:58 AM
  #11  
9632tl's Avatar
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The 0 only matters at start up. After its "warm" a 30 weight is a 30 weight.
The oil I used previously was the same weight, 0-30, but made by Mobil1.
My friend is an Amsoil dealer, and I got it at hos cost. Actually, I haven't paid for it yet.
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 07:28 PM
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dino oil...
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 10:23 PM
  #13  
main70072's Avatar
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I would stay with 5w30. The engine needs proper lubrication especially when cold since oil hasn't warmed up to it's efficient temperature yet.
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