I just got my oil changed in my TL for the 1st time since I've owned it. I always take my cars to the same place for oil service (Valvoline). I've heard people back and forth argue over whether synthetic oil is better or regular. I tried the 5W-30 Valvoline Dura-Blend which is a semi-synthetic. Anyone know if this is decent stuff to use for this car? After paying $40 for a damn oil change, I could have just bought a case of Mobil 1 and a few filters and changed the oil myself and come out alot cheaper. Do I need to spend the extra few bucks for this stuff? If I put the regular 5W-30 in (what i used in my 00 Civic, I come out $10 cheaper). Is it worth the difference? My notion has always been that as long as you change the oil religiously the engine will last a long time. Any ideas?

 

If you change oil every 3750 miles as the manual states then conventional oil like GTX will do you just fine. If you plan on using an extended drain interval then go with a full synthetic.

IMO: Blends cost about $3.50/qt where M1 at Costco cost $3.99/qt. Go with full synthetic

 

 

Mobil1 5w30 synthetic at walmart for 19.98$ for a 5 qt jug.
Mobil1 change interval atleast 7000 miles. i just changed mine with 11,000 miles on the oil. ive been changing it at 8,000 and 10,000 mile intervals and had it tested at those and its in great shape yet its much cheaper going the extended intervals and synthetic. oh and i have 146,000 miles now

 

Your right, just do it yourself its pretty easy. And use a full synthetic, you shuold be able to do 5-6k between oil chagnes, if you don't feel comfortable going to the 8-10k interval.

 

I just joined the Mobil 1 group yesterday. I have 21000 miles on the car, and I was always bringing my car to the dealer for an oil change. They charged $39, and they used to provide a loaner car. Now they have stopped providing loaner cars, so I decided to do it myself. And at the same time switch to Mobil 1. I found 0W-20 (5W-20 is recommended by Honda/Acura) locally for $4.50/Qt. DIY is pretty simple on the TL, the only problem I had was removing the damn filter Acura put on. It was on so tight that I had to put a screwdriver through it to turn it loose. It cost $27 and about 20 minutes. As for Mobil 1 or any other Synthetic worth it or not? I am sure that will be debated for years to come. I have two other cars that came with Mobil 1 from the factory.

 

Mobil 1 synthetic oil and K&N oil filter for me, I change oil 2x a year or about 7,500 miles per oil change

 

It's worth it if you want go longer between oil changes and prefer a cleaner engine. It's not worth it if you are going to change it out every 3k.

Don't use FRAM filters, go to walmart and pick up a supertech for $1.95.

 

there was no difference with the results of my oil test between the mobil1 filter and the fram filter

 

I don't think the concern is about the filter quality...although Mobil 1 and Purorlator pureone filters are supposed to have much finer fliters to get the really small stuff.

The main cocern with fram from a lot of people is the build quality - cardboard end caps and all. I used fram for years without issue, but now that I can get purorlator for about the same price I do that; nothing against fram, just bought into the purorlator marketing

 

Synthetic has other advantages over regular oil other than just being able to put more mileage on it. Synthetic has a pretty consistent thickness to it unlike regular oil ... This is important during cold starts in the winter, and when the car is extremely hot like when you're sitting in stop and go traffic in 100F weather.

Consistent viscosity through the temperature ranges means better protection for your engine throughout the life of the engine. Can I say for sure whether or not using synthetic is going to make my engine run a lot longer... No, but at the same time you're not talking about a lot of extra money for some peace of mind that it SHOULD help.

There's a reason some manufacturers like BMW have switched over to synthetic and only recommend synthetic.

Just my opinion here..

BTW- Like Chet03TL-S said, blends are only slightly cheaper than full synthetics ... If you're going to go with a blend, might as well spend a little more money on the full synthetic.

 

any body try amsoil synthetic it's price more than mobil 1 and i been hearing it gives more hores than mobil 1 and they prove it on some hot rod magazine.

 

Its not available locally so I don't bother. Also cost a little more than M1 but its a great oil if you can or want to get your hands on it.

As for HP I don't think you would notice the small increase if there was any.

 

The only draw back to using a synthetic, is when the oil breaks down is does so very very quickly. Unlike regular oil which breaks down more slowly.

But the plusses of using a synthetic out way the negatives.

Don't shoot me down. I use M1 also change it every 7500-8000 miles.

It actually costs about the same as using regular oil.

7500 X 1 change (synthetic) = $50-55 at a oil change place.

7500 X 2 change (regular) = $55-$60.

 

or $30 doing it your self (synthetic and M104 filter)!

 

I would also recommend Mobil 1 5w30 for the hot summer days and maybe the Mobile1 0w20 for the winter ( if it gets cold enough..) Other good choices are RedLine and Royal Purple. If you do the oil change yourself, its worth getting a good synthetic, otherwise the dealer or lube place are gonna soak ya..