post the link to the test. i have been a believer in synthetic oil for the longest time. they offer better lubrication for an engine because the particles are smaller and more consistent. it does not break down as easily at higher temps. i know there are alot of products that sell because of marketing. but synthetic oil is used in alot of high end racing applications where regular oil just would not hold up. i know we don't drive our cars anywhere near race car levels. but to say that there is no difference in synthetic and regular oil is a bold statement. i remember there was a test of a bmw engine that ran for a million miles on synthetic in a test lab. they changed the oil every 3K miles but ran it for a million miles. when they took the motor apart to inspect the internals they were like new.

 

And if an extra $20 gives you more confidence and makes you happy, it's worth it. After all, it doesn't hurt, and it could help. And we don't have to change our oil as often as in the "old days". My 62 Mercedes 190D had a 1900 mile oil change interval, probably because diesels require more frequent oil changing, but considering the much longer intervals these days, it won't be that much of a burden to someone who can afford to own a TL.

 

First, I am glad that someone else remembers the Consumers Reports test. It was done a long time ago, but it was eye opening. The one thing that it showed was an interval of 7,500 miles was fine for the car on normal oil. No difference than 3K.

However, your comment about synthetic is correct. It is better than regular, but for a normal car we do not need better. Think about building a house. You can use lumber for everything or structural steel. The structural steel is 'better' since it can hold more load, but you will never come close to the load that it can carry. Therefore it is overkill for the situation.

If you do a lot of racing, then synthetic is better...... otherwise it is for your own self.

 

I can't post a link beccause the Consumer Reports site is subscription based but you may get some luck by googling for a reprint.

The only attribute that a synthetic offers over regular oil that wasn't addressed in the analysis was cold weather starts and I've heard that in freezing weather that can be a big deal for engine wear.

Otherwise, choosing a motor oil really doesn't sound like a huge deal anymore. Be faithful about changing your oil at recommended intervals with the correct type of oil and you are more likely to have the car rust out from under you before the engine fails due to an oil related problem.

 

For anyone who's interested, I found the following on the Consumer Reports website:

Myth: Engine oil should be changed every 3,000 miles.
Reality: Although oil companies and quick-lube shops like to promote this idea, it's usually not necessary. Go by the recommended oil-change schedule in your vehicle's owner's manual. Most vehicles driven under normal conditions can go 7,500 miles or more between oil changes. Some models now come with a monitoring system that alerts the driver when the oil needs changing. Depending on driving conditions, these can extend change intervals to 10,000 or 15,000 miles.

and

Don’t spend extra money on synthetic oil unless your car calls for it.


I can't seem to find the study where they show how well the oil lasts, but the Myth/Reality thing seems to agree with previous posts about that study.

 

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