Mobile 1 Synthetic...

[Keegaroosky717]

Hey everyone,

So my car was at about 14K and i needed an oil change so i decided that I wanted to do synthetic. I took it to the dealership and to my surprise they actually had Mobile 1 as their synthetic. (Mobile 1 is by far the best synthetic oil out there).
Anyway, I have a quick question. I know that synthetic oil lasts longer than normal oil because it doesnt break down nearly as fast. But am i correct when I guess that the oil still needs to be changed around 3000 or so because the oil can still get DIRTY? Thanks everyone in advance for your info.

:multiples :dj: <---- its like a friggin party in my thread, thats badass

[Gregster]

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Wrong

Mobile 1 is not the best, if you want a true synthetic then go with Amsoil.

Synthetic change intervals can be prolonged. I change mine at 5,000 miles

Gregster

[scottw03]

I am not doubting you but can you explain why Amsoil is the best Synthetic. I just got mine done not too long ago on my 94 Elantra and got Mobil 1 Syn too. Not that I notice a difference but even though it only has a 1.6L engine I drive that thing hard so I want the best in there. Thanks

[WytchDctr]

Mobile 1 is not a true syn. they only have to have a certain percentage to claim fully syn. If i remeber correctlly it was fully syn when it first came out but the reformulated it. My guess would be costs. It is a good oil, but I did research on what to use after mine crossed 10k and there is better out there. I ended up runing royal purple, a true syn. Very good temp ratings etc. Therma break down temps for royal purple, amsoil, and redline are all higher than Mobil 1 and unless im mistaken the only fully syn you can buy.
I would run amsoil but its not avalable in my area.. and im not paying for shipping everytime I need an oil change. It was the best as far as the numbers I saw.

[scottw03]

Alright, I can buy that. Good answer. I will have to look into it more as well and see if I can find them in my own area. My car has about 160k miles on it so I want to put something in it that will help prolong the engine. It is having alot of repairs on it at the moment for upkeep. Basically it will be ripped apart and put back together. Thanks for the info. :bowdown:


Scott

[Gregster]

Synthetic is not advised for high mileage vehicles, which, clean out the gunk deposited by dino oil and can develop new leaks. Its not that synthetic makes the leaks, just cleans out the sludge and can go into areas regular oils cannot.

Gregster

[scottw03]

Great. there goes that idea. LOL so what do you recommend for an older engine?

[Gregster]

Great. there goes that idea. LOL so what do you recommend for an older engine?


Im not saying that you cant use synthetic, just be prepared of the possibility of new leaks. If you want to go the old route, just regular 3k oil changes and normal interval maintenance.

Gregster

[scottw03]

Oh, I think I understand what you were saying about the syn going places oil can't. A place that would normally not leak normal oil may leak syn due to it is made to go places that normal oil can't. Smaller molecules and such right? That might explain why my engine is leaking oil all over the place. It is basically being fixed now but I think I will stick with the normal oil from now on. Any preferences you recommend?

[Gregster]

Oh, I think I understand what you were saying about the syn going places oil can't. A place that would normally not leak normal oil may leak syn due to it is made to go places that normal oil can't. Smaller molecules and such right? That might explain why my engine is leaking oil all over the place. It is basically being fixed now but I think I will stick with the normal oil from now on. Any preferences you recommend?

Not smaller molecules, just more uniform and equal in size. As far with preferences, its dependent on the person. Some swear on Castrol GTX and others penzoil. Just make sure it follows API (american petroleum institute) guidelines in regards to detergents, etc.

http://api-ec.api.org/newsplashpage/index.cfm

Gregster

[scottw03]

Cool, I will check that out. I like my mechanic, so I will trust what he likes as well. They take care of everything else with my car.

[RonnieSan]

So what harm is there if you go back to regular from synthetic?

[Gregster]

So what harm is there if you go back to regular from synthetic?


Set aside from losing the benefits of synthetic oil, nothing.

Gregster

[Bnystrom]

Hey everyone,

I know that synthetic oil lasts longer than normal oil because it doesnt break down nearly as fast. But am i correct when I guess that the oil still needs to be changed around 3000 or so because the oil can still get DIRTY? Thanks everyone in advance for your info.



Oil does not need to be changed at 3000 miles, regardless of what type. Tests have repeatedly shown that even generic oils will last 7000 miles or more under normal driving conditions in modern engines. Look at the recommended oil change intervals in any new car manual. Why would car manufacturers recommend extended intervals is there was any chance that they could cause problems during the warranty period? They know what they're talking about, as they've done the tests. If you don't want to believe them, search the web, there have been many independent tests.

The 3K oil change is simply a myth that won't die. If you can't bear to go the recommended 7,500 miles, change it every 5K if it makes you feel better. Synthetics can easily last 15K miles, though you should probably change them annually if you don't drive that much.

The bottom line is do whatever you think is best, but especially with synthetics, why waste money on unnecessary changes?

BTW, if you like Mobil 1, Target sells it for under $4 per quart.

[Keyan]

I've also looked into this, and my results were a bit different:
YES it's true that synthetics don't break down as easy.
YES it's true that in theory they last longer.
BUT the engine still dirties the oil at just the same speed.
Would you rather have dirty broken down regular oil in your car gunking everything up, or dirty synthetic oil? Neither.
Until I find a -good- reason to switch to synthetic, I'm staying with my normal stuff, thank you. :)

[WytchDctr]

I've also looked into this, and my results were a bit different:
YES it's true that synthetics don't break down as easy.
YES it's true that in theory they last longer.
BUT the engine still dirties the oil at just the same speed.
Would you rather have dirty broken down regular oil in your car gunking everything up, or dirty synthetic oil? Neither.
Until I find a -good- reason to switch to synthetic, I'm staying with my normal stuff, thank you. :)

do some research and see. Everything about true syn is better. In the army instead of going by milage to change the oil in the deisels they send the oil to be tested. For everything from dirt content to oil viscosity. I know thats alot heavier oil.. but even in tanks that do nothing but travel off road the oil was still realativly clean. It was rare for us to do an oil change. For the most part it is a sealed system so its not like dirt is being pumped from the road into your oil pan. I hope you intake has a filter on it ;) Only thing I dont know and its kind of important. Is how much dirt is to much for them. Before they say change the oil. I wouldn't think it would be that much but it is the army. I guess this is just one of those arguments that will never end :rolleyes:

[GTSpeedRacer]

Going back a few posts, I have seen 'Higher Milage' oils advertised...I have no idea what differences the oil posesses that make it better, or if in fact it helps, but it might be worth at least looking into.

[scottw03]

Yeah, I need to take my car in to the my mechanic in a few weeks so I will ask them what the difference is and if it is better. I will let you know what I find out.

[WytchDctr]

Thermal break down temps higher
All molecules are the same length chain
They are formulated to say with heat.. not move away from it like normal oil
Can move into areas normal oil can't (hence the leaks with highmilage)
Doesn't break down as fast.. thanks to uniform chains
More consistant overall sence it doesn't matter what hole it came out of
You can't break an engine in with it.. should tell you something.

[Bnystrom]

Going back a few posts, I have seen 'Higher Milage' oils advertised...I have no idea what differences the oil posesses that make it better, or if in fact it helps, but it might be worth at least looking into.

Higher mileage oils have additive packages specially formulated to last a longer time. For example, Amsoil makes two 5W-30 oils for gasoline engines, a 7,500 mile oil (XLF) and and a 25,000 mile oil (ASL). They also make a 0W-30 that's supposed to last for 35,000 miles.

[Keegaroosky717]

Ok so oil wont get that dirty where it will need to be changed every 3K miles right? So i can in fact wait about 5k with Mobile 1 before I need to change it, even 7500? Because the dealership put the sticker on the windshield and it was written down that I need to go back after 3500 miles... Thanks everyone for all the great info, this really helps

[SkizziK03elan]

Oil does not need to be changed at 3000 miles, regardless of what type. Tests have repeatedly shown that even generic oils will last 7000 miles or more under normal driving conditions in modern engines. Look at the recommended oil change intervals in any new car manual. Why would car manufacturers recommend extended intervals is there was any chance that they could cause problems during the warranty period? They know what they're talking about, as they've done the tests. If you don't want to believe them, search the web, there have been many independent tests.

The 3K oil change is simply a myth that won't die. If you can't bear to go the recommended 7,500 miles, change it every 5K if it makes you feel better. Synthetics can easily last 15K miles, though you should probably change them annually if you don't drive that much.

The bottom line is do whatever you think is best, but especially with synthetics, why waste money on unnecessary changes?

BTW, if you like Mobil 1, Target sells it for under $4 per quart.


this is true, if you drive like a granny, but...red-lining your car just a few times will justify the need of an oil change at the end of the month (or next 3000 mile interval)

[rckozma]

As far as high mileage oils, I started using Valvoline Max Life series oil (formulated for higher mileaged vehicles) when my '97 Suburban hit 75,000 miles. At trade in I had over 160,000 miles on the original motor and it was not leaking or smoking.

As far as oil goes I will be going to the Synthetic oil myself. I previously was doing a 1/2 quart of Lucas Heavy Duty oil stabilizer mixed with my oil change. I started that mixture with about 30,000 miles on both my burb and Z-24. At time of trade in (Z-24 had over 100,000 miles) neither one smoked or leaked oil.