Facts about synthetic oil switchover
10-16-2001, 04:59 PM
#1
Not a Blowhole
Thread Starter
Facts about synthetic oil switchover
Lots of posts over the year about this topic. I decided to call a guy I met at the SAE convention who is a triblogist with Mobil. I asked hom "when can you use synthetic"?
Here is the complete answer:
1) For some cars, never. If the manufacturer says No Way, do not second guess. Examples are some of the RX-7's.
2) For some cars, Mobil 1 can be used from the get go. Porsche, Viper, Corvettes, Aston-Martin, and others come factory-filled with Mobil 1. The engineers at these companies have either specified tight enough specs, or determined that "seating" occurs very quickly so as not to be an issue.
3) Most modern cars seat-in in about 100 miles.
4) His recommendation: "Unless your manufacturer specifies synthetic as the factory fill, it is a good idea to go at least 1000 miles before switching.For older cars with loose tolerances (example: a new Chevy Targetmaster 350) 3000 miles is priudent since they are looser."
5) We also discussed manual transmissions. This is a more complex subject. If the tranny specifies GL-4, be careful about using a synthetic or even a mineral G-5. G-5 has added sulfur anti-wear compounds and as it acidifies, can eat the soft metal synchros. GL-4 is milder, but does not have the shock load capability. Trannies do not requie break-in before synthetic can be used, but it is a good idea to drain at about 6000 miles to get the metal filings out. After that, it can be considered a lifetime fill.
Different syns can have positive or negative effects in a manual. I had an old 3-series bimmer circa 1985 that hated syn (it was pious). My 1996 NSX absolutely loved Red Line MTL. You just have to try it and see how they shift under a variety of conditions. The 1995 NSC used 10w30 engine oil, and you had to change it at 15k. In 1996 they switched to Honda MTL and it was a lifetime fill. Syn? My guess is yes?
Here is the complete answer:
1) For some cars, never. If the manufacturer says No Way, do not second guess. Examples are some of the RX-7's.
2) For some cars, Mobil 1 can be used from the get go. Porsche, Viper, Corvettes, Aston-Martin, and others come factory-filled with Mobil 1. The engineers at these companies have either specified tight enough specs, or determined that "seating" occurs very quickly so as not to be an issue.
3) Most modern cars seat-in in about 100 miles.
4) His recommendation: "Unless your manufacturer specifies synthetic as the factory fill, it is a good idea to go at least 1000 miles before switching.For older cars with loose tolerances (example: a new Chevy Targetmaster 350) 3000 miles is priudent since they are looser."
5) We also discussed manual transmissions. This is a more complex subject. If the tranny specifies GL-4, be careful about using a synthetic or even a mineral G-5. G-5 has added sulfur anti-wear compounds and as it acidifies, can eat the soft metal synchros. GL-4 is milder, but does not have the shock load capability. Trannies do not requie break-in before synthetic can be used, but it is a good idea to drain at about 6000 miles to get the metal filings out. After that, it can be considered a lifetime fill.
Different syns can have positive or negative effects in a manual. I had an old 3-series bimmer circa 1985 that hated syn (it was pious). My 1996 NSX absolutely loved Red Line MTL. You just have to try it and see how they shift under a variety of conditions. The 1995 NSC used 10w30 engine oil, and you had to change it at 15k. In 1996 they switched to Honda MTL and it was a lifetime fill. Syn? My guess is yes?
10-16-2001, 07:30 PM
#2
Instructor
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Not to put you on the spot, but I would appreciate your opinion on what synthetic brand/weight to use for our cars? I'm getting ready for my 7500 service (second oil change) and would like to know if this is a good time for the change to syn. Would Mobil 1, 5W30 be OK, or should we still use 5W20 in the synthetics.
10-16-2001, 07:45 PM
#3
Purchased: April 28, 2001
If I had to do it all over, I would of switched to RedLine 5w20 on my 7500 mile oil change rather than have waited for 15k. Then I would just change the oil every 7500 mile mark.
10-16-2001, 11:34 PM
#4
Three Wheelin'
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ReDLinE?!? I haven't seen these in the Pep Boys...where can I buy or read about it? I'm going to switch syn, my 7500 service is coming up soon..
10-17-2001, 12:44 AM
#5
Instructor
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I bought some redline 5w20, and it is working. My engine is still running. I bought mine from a local racing shop that was listed on Redline's web page. It is kind of expensive at 80 dollars a case.
Damn! Will it do any harm to go from RedLine to Mobil?!? With the economy as it is I won't be able to buy that stuff all of the time?!?
10-17-2001, 10:50 AM
#7
Not a Blowhole
Thread Starter
Contact Red Line at www.redlineoil.com for sales info.
Of course you can switch over - Red Line 5w20 is what I use. Another option is to add 1-2 qts of Red Line to regular mineral oil (it is compatible) which will allow 5000 mile intervals. Otherwise, I concur that 7500 is perfectly safe.
Of course you can switch over - Red Line 5w20 is what I use. Another option is to add 1-2 qts of Red Line to regular mineral oil (it is compatible) which will allow 5000 mile intervals. Otherwise, I concur that 7500 is perfectly safe.
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