First time with synthetic

**asshanson** · 07-10-2006

I was in Ames, IA this weekend, and I thought I'd change my oil while I was there because I have a good place there to change it. For some reason I thought I'd switch to synthetic today, see how that goes. I bought my Mobil 1 and Wicks filter, totalling $30 with 5 quarts, which I was pretty pleased with. Then I got back here and read about switching to synthetic at 110k miles like my car, and I'm thinking it wasn't such a great idea after all. Hope my car doesn't leak any now. But my question is, how many miles can I safely go on this stuff? 8k, more, less? Do I need to change the filter at 4 or 5k? I've never changed the filter before without putting in all new oil. How much will I lose if I do that?

Oh, and after I changed the oil in my car I decide to change the oil in my girlfriend's Escort zx2 as well, so I go to k-mart and pick up some castrol syntec because it was the only synthetic there in 5w-20, and I got a box of six quarts for $6.19. Pretty sure that was a mis-pricing on their part. Hope that deal is still around for the next oil change.

**Kracka** · 07-10-2006

I actually prefer the Syntec to the Mobil 1, it provides a bit better engine protection and doesn't run on the thin side like M1 does. The M1 will last a bit longer though. You can easily go 8k miles with the M1, no need to change the filter between drains since you are using a quality one. You could even bring the interval to 10k if you wanted. Just be sure to change it in one year no matter how many miles are on the oil (6 months for conventional oil).

Keep in mind that synthetics provide no where near the benefits that they used to, quality conventionals are right up there in terms of protection, they just need to be changed out more frequently (4-5k miles is fine unless you are really beating on the car). Quality oil filters are very important though; for a DSM, its pretty tough to beat a Mitsu filter.

1QUICK4 · 07-10-2006

I like the Mobil 1 but as Chris said it does seem quite thinner than most of the others and it seems to burn a little easier.

You shouldn't have any problems with switching over at 110K miles.

**asshanson** · 07-10-2006

How long could I go with the Castrol Syntec (just for reference in my girlfriend's zx2)? 8k then since it lasts a little shorter? Or is it a totally different story between a DSM and a ZX2 for oil life?

A//// Guy · 07-10-2006

I agree with S2Kracka.

I wouldnt even put syntec in your girlfriends car because for the price you pay for synthetic versus regular. Put castrol GTX in that car instead, its cheaper and will work fine, although you will need to change it out every 3500 miles or so... versus 7-8 with syntec.

I dont like to go more than 4-5k on synthetic though, just my preference. Plus I usually dont drive more than 2 changes per year so I just change in spring and fall.

Shane55113 · 07-10-2006

Syntec is not a synthetic, its a blend, in europe they are not aloud to advertise it as a synthetic as it is a CCMC E3 grade oil but for some odd reason they are aloud to advertise it as one here, wired isn't it?

Also with synthetic, if you have blow by (which allot of Mitsubishi's do) and get even 1% gas in to the oil it performs less then a basic mineral oils, my advice do what i did and switch to Rotella T oil, you can get a jug of it at almost any auto store and its cheap, checker has it right now for about $8. Any ways this oil if formulated to be able to take up to 10% gas and preform normal, it is a desil truck oil but it works 100% in gas cars. I should know i run it, and it states it on the back of the bottle.
Don't buy FULL synthetic unless you have a rebuilt engine, or your running 350 or more HP. Thats where synthetics really make a difference, in high strain environments.

NEVER! buy FRAM filters i was very pleased that you bought a wix, they are the best bang for the buck and the highest quality you can get next to the mobile 1 filter then its the k&n after that.

I got most of my info from : http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html

**asshanson** · 07-10-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by M/// Guy

I wouldnt even put syntec in your girlfriends car because for the price you pay for synthetic versus regular.

Well, when the syntec is mis-priced at $1.03 a quart, I'm buying it, and stocking up.

On another note, how well will the 10w-30 M1 work in Winter? Should it be ok since it's a little thinner than the other 10w-30 oils out there?

**Kracka** · 07-10-2006

I always ran conventional Rotella-T in my DSM, that is a great heavy-duty oil. Syntec will last 8k no problem in the ZX2, a conventional would be fine at 5k in that car. Syntec is not a blend though, its a synthetic formulated from conventional crude oil stock. It is not a "true" synthetic like Mobil 1 though.

**Halon** · 07-10-2006

I use Rotella 15W-40 as well.

HiImBrian · 07-10-2006

Ams oil FTW in my dsm. They say it last up to 30K! I change it every 15K though just to be sure

Shane55113 · 07-10-2006

i would never keep any oil in the car for more then 5k, its better to have clean oil then dirty oil, becides that how long do you think that filter will last? not 15k

HiImBrian · 07-10-2006

Yea I change the filter. I've never had a problem before.

**Kracka** · 07-10-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.98GSX

Ams oil FTW in my dsm. They say it last up to 30K! I change it every 15K though just to be sure

Just keep in mind that oil comes from Superior, WI....if you've ever been there you'd know why this is a bad thing

If you are going to be running a change of oil for 15k miles you really should periodically send it a sample to Blackstone Labs for an oil analysis so you know how its holding up.

**JET** · 07-10-2006

Syntec is a cracked synthetic, so it is not a true synthetic, it is still much better than a regular oil. I always used it until they changed. M1 is a true synthetic, but my DSM's never seem to like M1. I use valvoline synthetic now. Now that it is broke in, it will probably get redline or royal purple in it.

turbotalon1g · 07-11-2006

at first i thought that this thread was going to be dumb, but it has a lot of info that i did not know. Thank you to all that contributed.
I was using M1 syn. and changing it every 3k like regular oil. I usually a Wix filter also, that i get from napa.

**Kracka** · 07-11-2006

Changing M1 oil at 3k miles is WAY overkill and is just wasting your money and time for no good reason. At the very least, I would wait until 5k to change out synthetic.

JET, I would stay away from Royal Purple fluids if I were you; their beginning protection is OK (by no means better than Redline, M1, Amsoil, etc.) but their aditive package is not very durable at all and wears out quite quickly. If you can stomach the price, its pretty tough to beat Redline engine oil. Actually, with the exception of 75W-90 gear oil, everything Redline makes is great quality.

tim · 07-11-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by S2kracka

Changing M1 oil at 3k miles is WAY overkill and is just wasting your money and time for no good reason. At the very least, I would wait until 5k to change out synthetic.

JET, I would stay away from Royal Purple fluids if I were you; their beginning protection is OK (by no means better than Redline, M1, Amsoil, etc.) but their aditive package is not very durable at all and wears out quite quickly. If you can stomach the price, its pretty tough to beat Redline engine oil. Actually, with the exception of 75W-90 gear oil, everything Redline makes is great quality.

Just curious where you get your info about the Royal Purple not being very good for the long term? I am not doubting you, just curious where you heard this.

xveganxcowboyx · 07-11-2006

Damn, I've been changing with synthetic every 2,500 - 3,000 miles for years. Think of all the money!

Oh well, I probably will continue to change it like that. I just always look at my car and think "She looks like she could use an oil change"

**Kracka** · 07-11-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim

Just curious where you get your info about the Royal Purple not being very good for the long term? I am not doubting you, just curious where you heard this.

Reading way too many UOA's from Blackstone Labs and and reading technical statements and discussions from oil chemists (whatever they are called).

FattyBoomBatty · 07-11-2006

I also use Rotella-T. I may change to mitsu filters now though.

Good find on the cheap oil Andrew!