Thought I'd throw my .02 in - Consumer Reports did an extensive test on synthetic oils about a year ago and found absolutely NO advantages for the synthetic whatsoever. What they ultimately came to after all there testing is very similair to what your neighbor from GM said, that it's a waste of money!

 

And in this article did they do oil analysis? Did they measure fuel milage savings? Did they measure engine temperatures? Did they test in the extreme cold found in the midwestern USA in Jan, Feb, Mar?

What did the gods of Consumer Reports tell us?? Please let me know. Hell I go drain the stuff that has been in my truck since Jan 2000 right now if it is no good. I'll run down to Wal Mart and put their crap in it. Or better yet, I use Penzoil's crap oil.

Right, get a grip. I have seen to many oil analysis that proves Consumer Reports wrong!! Sorry buddy.

 

The reason I use synthetic is to extend my oil change intervals.
Also I work in a industrial plant and have used synthetic oil and greases on equiptment when conventional products just would not hold up.Plant equiptment cannot be compared to a automotive engine but after seeing firsthand what synthetics can be put through the choice for me was easy.

 

Ok... I have used Mobil 1 Synthetic 5w-30 in Winter.... and 10w-30 in Summer.... I have 3 vehicles, along with an ATV.... All which burn Mobil 1.... I have never had an engine go south on me... due too an Oil related problem....

The reason I use it..??? My father uses it.... and My Grandfather ran it in his tractors... combines.... every peice of farm equipt. that had a motor, Mobil 1 was in it.... Never as far as I can recall, did any of his motors ever wear Out.... They did tear down his John Deere one winter after God Knows how many hours...

And to the many mechanics at the Shop... along with alot of farmers standing by...... the engine showed hardly no wear at all..... I remember like it was yesterday.. No sludge.... No Grime....
the engine parts were all like new.... This is just my exper, with this great motor oil....

I have used it ever since... Nothing else will go into my motors...
Maybe its the fact, I have seen the results of use in person...

If you do use it.... ??? You have the confidence that it will prolong the life of your motor 2 fold... If you take care of it....

Oh by the way... I own a 1988 GMC 1-ton dually.... Pickup with a 454 cu. in. motor... that I have owned since new..... after break in... I poured in Mobil 1..... I use the truck to move cattle across the state 2 times a month......

The same motor has over 500k miles....if I remember right... Maybe more... And only uses a dribble of oil between oil changes.... which is once before summer, and once before winter.... between those times.... I change the filter every 2k miles and add a qt... But I do take care of my pickups... they get the best service and care....

This is just my personal experience with Mobil 1... nothing else...

 

I have a question somewhat in this thread....

Have any of you used....

1. Z-Max
or
2. Energy Release

Engine treatments....??? If so.... what benefits have you felt or seen from using them....???

 

Holy cow this one got long, but that's not a surprize.

I probably missed it but the first threads talked about Corvette and synthetic. The 2001 not only still come with synthetic, it's Mobil 1 and recommended drain is 15000 miles, up from 10000 recommended in 2000.

I'm not an expert, but I might agree that it doesn't do miracles, but it can extend drain intervals, lubes better/faster in the cold, and hold it's visc. in the heat. I think the biggest befefits are in the more extreme conditions rather than normal use.

 

MILLIMAR..no offense but that sound like a commercial. didnt arnold palmer do a pennzoil commercial where ha talked about his grandfathers tractor?
i am glad it works for you, i cant imagine having a vehichle with 500000 miles, how many trans, altenators, starters and brake jobs has that truck seen? i am suprised no one is flaming you since it is a gmc truck and not a ford.

 

Hey, does anyone here know if they make synthetic oil for diesel engines??

 

Msparks,
You sound pretty harsh on the consumer reports article.

-And in this article did they do oil analysis?
Show me an oil analysis comparison that shows that there is less engine wear occuring with synthetic vs. conventional oil that is changed every 3k miles.. Most of the oil analysis I see clearly shows that many synthetics have great properties that can help them last longer (supporting extended drain intervals), but I've not seen any to say that engine wear is less..
According to many folks advertisements, the 2 biggest factors to engine wear are 'initial startup' and 'dirt'.
Initial startup wear is combated by 'a. thinner oils allowing oil to reach all of the critical parts faster, b. anti drain back valves on filters that keep more oil in the top-end.' There are some products that advertise that they put a 'coating' on the internal parts, but those treatments have their own problems..

Dirt is combated by the additives in the oil which allow the oil to keep the dirt suspended. Good air filters, oil filters, and changing the conventional oil every 3k miles keeps dirt in check as well..


-Did they measure fuel milage savings?
I'm not sure if they did, but I measure my fuel MPG's every tank. Since switching to Amsoil (about a year ago), I have not seen any measurable increase in MPGs.

-Did they measure engine temperatures?
The engine tempature in my truck pretty constant. This might be due to the fact I have a SuperDuty truck and don't really tow or haul all that much.. I do live in the south where the temps are often in the mid-90's..

- Did they test in the extreme cold found in the midwestern USA in Jan, Feb, Mar?
I live in NC, so I guess I didn't do this test.


So, in normal driving conditions there isn't any protection benefit to using synthetics because the normal oils perform just fine in most conditions.. The extended drain properties are nice, but the high cost of synthetics offset any savings.

So, for the commerical, fleet, and extreme condition vehicles I would think that synthetics would be valuable.. But what about the average driver?

 

My turn!!! LOL
The engine live on a FLIM of oil right??
so keep the oil clean,wear is alot less on start up.
I am doing my own test right now.
Have Mobil 1 in my F150 at 60,000 miles.
My F250 at 120,000 miles.
after 3,000 on both, oil use went down and engines run alot smoother.
To answer the first Question, have been looking for the Answer for 15 yrs.
What I found out is this---- What ever works for you!!!!
TOOO Many variables out there.

How many of you cut open your OIL FILTER!!
Thats how I tell whats going on in the motor.
Found so scary stuff inside!!!
I like syn. oil, so as a mater of choice.
this could go on for EVER, so keep posting your findings!!!!

Thanks for all the INFO!!

 

I actually remember this article, and yes they absolutely did do an oil analysis (thats what the entire article was about!) they did measure fuel milage saving, and found none whatsoever on a consistant basis, and once again, yes they did test engine temperature (as every other comparison has) and found a minimal difference there aswell. To be honest, I don't remember anything specifically on the extreme cold found in the midwest, however the tests were conducted over an extended period of time (several seasons) in several different climates (and i'd bet the cold midwest was one.) Once again, they found no advantage for the average driver that changes his/her oil on a regular 3,000 to 5,000 mile basis, after tearing down thousands of engines and testing everything emaginable. Bottom line was there was NO more wear on petro-lubed engines than synthetic-lubed engines. Sorry buddy!

 

Oilman,
Do you know if they make a synthetic oil for diesel engines??

 

Both Amsoil and Mobil make a synthetic Diesel oil.

Amsoil makes a 15w40 and a 5w30 Diesel Oil,

Mobil make Delvac 1 and it is a 5w40 only.

 

Fleet test syn vs dino.

Iron 52% lower
Chrome 73% lower
copper 78% lower
aluminum 73% lower

Another fleet test

Iron 57%lower
Chrome 31% lower
Soot 38% lower


I have yet to see an oil analysis with a before and after where the wear metal have not gone down substantially.

Also as far as fuel mileage, changed over a powerstroke to Amsoil a few months ago. The guy was getting 10mpgs hauling 2 cars. Now gets 12mpg consistanty haul the same routes with 2 cars.

Seems to me that is a 20% increase.

Most folks don't see that much, 5-8% is more the norm. So for a car that gets maybe 15mpg, a 5% increase would be 3/4 of a mile difference. Yes that would be hard to measure, but still non the less when you equate that number over 20,000 miles @ $1.50 a gallon you would see a substantial savings.

the difference would be 64 gallons of fuel over 20,000 miles. Guess what at $1.50/gal you would save $96 in fuel cost. Looks to me you oil was free.

BTW. One of my customers let me know that he was getting 2mpg better than he was before. This is with the new 5w20. And he loves it!

 

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