samkws

do you feel any difference for twice the money as regular oil?

MikePA

The primary benefits of synthetic oil most people will see are extended drain intervals and better cold weather starting. I could 'feel' the better cold weather starts, but that's about it.

RUF87

Highend synthetics will allow you to run a thinner oil than you could in a std oil.

In my case I run mostly a 0w in the winter and a 5w in the summer in a 2/3rds ratio.

The advantages are parasitic HP reduction from all the internal reciprocating parts.

I've used Mobil-1 and recently switched to NEO synthetic. Redline is also an oil you can do this with.

If you are not compfortable doing that . . . I believe that synthetics tend to flow better anyway. Personally I use them because I run my cars hard, and the few extra HP from a lighter weight is just a small perk.

Ruf

etxxz

i just swapped to 10w30 mobil 1 syn w/ an expensive k&n "gold" filter @ 80,000miles.

True, there's no difference to be felt...supposedly your engine runs a couple degrees cooler, but the main benefit is the noticeably longer oil change period...7500miles+ = $$

and it costs around $20-25 vs $15-20 on regular oil which you change every 3000mi...do the math son

etxxz

i just swapped to 10w30 mobil 1 syn w/ an expensive k&n "gold" filter @ 80,000miles.

True, there's no difference to be felt...supposedly your engine runs a couple degrees cooler, but the main benefit is the noticeably longer oil change period...7500miles+ = $$

and it costs around $20-25 vs $15-20 on regular oil which you change every 3000mi...do the math son

PeteTLS

I bought mine used at 37K and switched to Castrol 5/20 full synthetic at my second change (1st was free at the dealer) at the urging of 2 guys here - one a Jaguar mechanic for 30 years, the other a former Acura tech, both of whom swear by synthetic for lubricating qualities, primarily, but also for the extended time allowed between changes. Can't say I felt a difference, but if my tranny lasts long enough maybe I'll notice a difference in extended life....

UTacuraTL

I changed my oil for the first time by myself and put in synthetic, I agree it definitly starts better in cooler weather...and seems to idle smooter. If it extends the life of my engine, flippin sweet!!!!!!!!!!!

ndawood

Ive been using amsoil 5w20 for a while now and all I can realy say is that the car does feel smoother and I dont have to change the oil as frequently.

subtledreamer

engine runs smoother, no doubt. and morning starts are a bit better (even tho in socal a so-called "cold" morning would be 40F-50F haha). plus i feel better using synthetic 10w30 mobil 1 user here.

sbuswell

Mobil 1 is all I have ever used for the past year and my car runs smooth as hell. Before it did seem a little rougher at idle and wasn't as responsive, but not much less. Mostly synthetic is better a lubricating moving internal parts and has a higher burning temp, so if you have mods and run your car hard then synthetic is what you should use. I notice when I change my oil even after 5-6k miles it seems fairly clean, but 4k on conventional is dirtier and you could tell there is more burnoff because there is less oil coming out when you drain it then when you drain synthetic after a few thousand more miles. Go with full synthetic all the time, it is just better.

etxxz

if you're engine's old then you prob notice a difference...but you'll also experience it when you have new reg oil, it just doesnt last as long...anyone with less than 100000 miles MIN can't really comlain of a bad idle due to oil...unles its 2000mi overdue!

nice temp!! here in s.fl ever since early february we must average like a 65-70^F!! with some 60s and a rare 50s...this morning was a beautifull 81^F

samkws

i will do the sythentic ATF, but not sure for the motor oil yet

ATF costs only 30 dollars, so it's a gd investment

but an sythentic oil change with Motul oil would be around 60 dollars, so i will see

crazym0nkey

I changed my also for the first time to 10w-30 Mobil 1 and I have to say its much smoother. Then again I might have just need a oil change.

subtledreamer

Wow so warm already! but watch, in a week or so socal is going to be reaching 90s in daytime. that + the infamous smog, yuck.

fsttyms1

syn is much cheaper than standard oil! i am now running 10-15k change intervals there by saving ATON of money. i know its safe to run that interval cause ive been doing 8-10k for almost 100k now and have it tested on occasion

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

Sorry, I've only been using synthetic on my car since day one, so I can't tell you any differences between synthetic and dyno oil.

SilverIce2000

i felt that the whole car was riding much smoother in general... it had slightly better pick up and the car is just a complete smooth ride overall

TLS RULZ

AGREED... I'n running amsoil 5w20 as well, change every 12,000kms. costs me CAD$62.

If I changed at the dealer reccomended 6000 for regular oil... its around CAD$81 (for 2 changes)...

so its cheaper !!!

Inspire

I've been running on Mobile ONEs since I got my car... Until recent 2 oil changes... got too tired to shop for the best and cheapest places for them (usually ranging from 50-60USD bucks per change). The difference is not TOO much IMO.

etxxz

save $35 and do the change yourself...if its worth your time that is

'cause if there's an easy maintenance is changing the oil...as easy as unscrewing a plug, letting drain (while oil drips all over you ), changing filters (filling new filter w/ oil, and dumping 4.5-5quarts of oil...should take you 15min (->35min+ = proper drain time)

aaronnn

i use Mobil1 and i love it. the engine idles alot quieter and the car runs smoother. also i noticed a slightly better gas mileage.. but like 1 or 2 more miles to the gallon.. which can save in the long run. but yeah, its definitly worth paying 5 dollars more and get yourself some better oil

shimbo519

not if you got in on the Mobile 1 deal for pepboys. Buy 3 get 3 free, bought 3 quarts at $1.89/quart (the cashier looked up the wrong oil) I now have 5 cases of the stuff in my basement.

ou sig

the real question should be...who isnt using synthetic?

because unless you drive an older car (early 90s and older) with 75k miles on it with all dyno oil, then I probably wouldnt change over (because of the slight chance of leaks) - but synthetic oil is perfect for modern engines and really the only way to go to give the best protection to the engine.

MotionEffects

Hard to notice any difference but the motor is a little quieter than using regular oil. Maybe its in my head.

ou sig

you wont notice a difference in performance, but if you plan on keeping your car for the long haul (I am) you will notice when your engine still runs strong, smooth and quiet after 100k+++ miles.

MotionEffects

It's worth using synthetic if you plan to keep the car. Im debating weather to keep the TL or not. The tranny took a dump twice and I think its going to happen again, so Im leaning towards "Not Keeping" the TL for that much longer.

samkws

you should use sythentic ATF as well

i am planning to switch over coz i got the extra power with the H/E/I

fsttyms1

you should use it even if you dont have mods!

samkws

my mech at the tuner shop says i should change ATF every 20000 miles

with 35 dollars it's a gd investment to protect the tranny

Michael03TLS

I am running synthetic Mobil 1 oil (0W-20 - some people would say this is too thin but I am using it and had no problems, besides Mobil 1 stating it's compatible with cars that use 5W-20 oil and recommended for Hondas). I definitely agree empirically with what has been stated by the other members with using synthetic oils, and would recommend it if you love your car and want it to last; older cars with high mileage might not be worth using it.

Pros:

- Better gas mileage ( might be slight but nonetheless it still counts - so it's still saving money for justifying the cost of using synthetic oil)
- Fast,smooth revving as well as smooth idling also.
- Cleaner oil, as can be seen when you examine how dark/dirty the oil is when it's time to do another oil change compared to regular oil (regular oil is quite dark); it can be postulated that it is running your engine efficiently and cleanly, which will be good for the long run.
- Longer interval changes for synthetic oils; I still change it regularly at its normal oil change maintenance schedule though.
- Definitely I can say the engine runs cooler than when you use regular oil.


Cons:

- Price as usual. I was trying to justify the high cost, but I think it's worth it and I'll continue using it.
This isn't a problem if you take your chance ,like others on this board, to have longer oil change intervals, which is saving money again, but I personally would still change it according to schedule. You can of course save yourself money to just do the oil change yourself with synthetic oil, with your own labor; it's not hard at all. . Saving money again hehe for the high cost of synthetic oils.


I think one member on this board "Roadrage" is the expert on these oil matters and I am sure he would have much more to comment on

RUF87

I wonder what happened to Roadrage? Did he move on . . . get another car . . . or was he just tired of all the same old posts about oil?

Ruf