squawskier1080

Hi all, I was just wondering the advantages of using synthetic oil compared to traditional oil. I can use your standard oil for free from down at my dads shop, but is the synthetic worth the extra money I'd have to spend?

Thanks,

Eric

Art161

I don't think full synthetic is worth the extra money unless you're using the car in extreme conditions. It's worth it if the ambient temperature is extremely cold or extremely hot. If you race the car, you are probably better off with synthetic. In normal driving, you will probably get slightly better fuel economy with synthetic, but not enough to offset the additional cost of the oil. Some people like the extended oil change intervals with synthetic. I'd rather use less expensive oil and change it more frequently to drain the water, acids, and miscellaneous crud that accumulates over time.

If you are talking about straight dino oil compared to a synthetic blend, then I would spend the extra money for the blend.

Bmr4life

Its worth it if you run the oil longer. Mobil1 Extended Performance claims 15k but lots of people here still change every 5k or less. I feel thats overkill but its their car, not mine. My last oil change was the first using the extended performance, I plan on changing it every 10-12k. Before I was using the normal Mobil1 syn and changed it every 5k.

Advanced Auto has Mobil1 ext perf, 5q and with a mobil1 filter for $30. Still gotta buy a 6th quart but its still a good deal.

doode

i drive my car 6 months out of the year and put on maybe 10k

it usually gets 2 oil changes a year

once before storing, once after

synthetic is reasonably cheap so i dont really care

Mustangmaster

If I let my oil change go longer than 5000 miles with any oil, I change the filter at every 4000 miles. Do any of you do this? Put in a clean filter if you let the oil go for extended mileage. Believe it or not, I had an older friend of mine who didn't believe in changing oil, just the filter. He told me he only changed his oil every 50,000 miles but the filter every 3000-5000 miles. He had an old GMC truck and the guy died several years ago. He had over 250,000 miles on the truck when he died. He always said "the oil doesn't get dirty, only the filter does". Well, I don't believe that but it worked for him.

Bmr4life

Could be, but its also possible for the oils to begin to breakdown. You'd just need to replace the oil before that happens.

Mudflap

As long as you use a high quality filter and change the oil at a reasonable interval, you'll never notice a difference. IMO, use the free oil and a good filter and you'll be fine.

Ron98Cobra

I'd go with the synthetic oil, but that is just me, most of the others have good points, I guess if you can afford it, it may make you feel better to have the synthetic over the regular oil. And to me it seems the lab test show that it is better for the internals and does not break down as easily as well as not as quick too. I guess it is all just up to each individuals opinion.

foolio2k4

free=good

mygt500

I do the same thing!!!!....I would worry about the quality of the oil filter just as much it not more then the oil itself......JMO but full synthetic for me!

Oh and I only have 4850 miles on the car and bought it in early 06