Synthetic vs. Conventional Motor Oil

[habernac]

Ran synthetic in my 95 V6 Camry. You still couldn't hear it idle after it hit over 200,000km, purred like a kitten. Stick with the synthetic.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by Hevishot

If the vehicle was broken in with synthetic keep using it. If it was broken in with dino oil use that. Its not an 8L oil change for a rav 4 so the cost should not be an issue.

You can switch between synthetic and conventional at any time, makes zero difference what was in the engine when it was new.

[lazypucker]

Does synthetic truly last 20k? I don't drive everyday as I take the train to work, so 20k will be like 2 years for me...

[zamler]

Oil doesn't actually wear out it gets contaminated. So the real question is how long can you go before the oil loses its effectiveness due to build up of carbon, sulfur, metals, water, gasoline etc.

The additives in oil are designed to bond and suspend what gets into the oil, but that ability is finite and when the limit is exceeded that's when the oil can no longer do its job. I personally would never go with a 20k OCI.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

Oh I know it wouldn't create a new one but could expose an existing one that may not have shown up if not for switching.

But if an 05 Cavallier with 235k can handle it, I like my odds on an 05 Mazda that JUST broke 100k.

Think I'll make the switch.

Oh yeah you should be fine. I think Penzoil Platinum is on sale an CT right now

[keratosis]

Originally Posted by zamler

Oil doesn't actually wear out it gets contaminated. So the real question is how long can you go before the oil loses its effectiveness due to build up of carbon, sulfur, metals, water, gasoline etc.

The additives in oil are designed to bond and suspend what gets into the oil, but that ability is finite and when the limit is exceeded that's when the oil can no longer do its job. I personally would never go with a 20k OCI.

This is why I change my filter at about 3k.

[albertGQ]

I always get my oil changed at Lube City. It costs ~$100 for synthetic. But they always put the sticker on my windshield that I require another change after 5000 km. Lots here have said they change every 10000 or 20000. Is Lube City ripping me off?

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

I always get my oil changed at Lube City. It costs ~$100 for synthetic. But they always put the sticker on my windshield that I require another change after 5000 km. Lots here have said they change every 10000 or 20000. Is Lube City ripping me off?

No that's not bad. Lots of people, still follow the 5000km rule. However, realistically you can stretch that to 7500 or 10000 depending on the oil and conditions, or the car. My truck I do around 7500km, my car I do 3000km. But 5k is still a good rule of thumb if you don't want to keep track of what state your oil is in

[Dynamic]

When it's time to change your oil go to canadian tire or wal mart. There will almost always be some kind of synthetic oil on sale. It will still be more expensive but still worth it. Also with my newer honda's the manual states that you do not need to change your oil filter every oil change, just every 2nd change. Just make sure you grab a good oil filter rated to last longer than your 5 dollar fram. I grab the 13 dollar fram rated for 24000km. Your Toyota might still call for a new filter every change though.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Dynamic

When it's time to change your oil go to canadian tire or wal mart. There will almost always be some kind of synthetic oil on sale. It will still be more expensive but still worth it. Also with my newer honda's the manual states that you do not need to change your oil filter every oil change, just every 2nd change. Just make sure you grab a good oil filter rated to last longer than your 5 dollar fram. I grab the 13 dollar fram rated for 24000km. Your Toyota might still call for a new filter every change though.

[BigNumbers]

For synthetic that;s stupid. 10K minimum, or else you've wasted you rmoney. the benefits of synthetics is extended OCIs - dino oil is 'good', it just has to be changed more often. Synth gives you extended OCIs and better cold weather perf.

[puckluck2]

But does Synthetic really matter when you buy a brand new Audi every year?

[GGG]

Doing your own oil changes is the way to go if you are penny pinching.

You can get the ramps for less than $50 at Canadian tire (I paid $30) or Jack Stands (do your own tire rotation too.) for less than $100. These items pay for themselves after 1 use. For a synth oil change I wait to the Canadian tire synth to go onsale usually $25 to $30 for 5L and a filter for around $10. Once you have done it a few times it only takes about 20 minutes. Less than driving to a dealership or minute lube.

For the old oil I just pour it back into the oil jug and then once a year I head down to the firehall to drop it off with any other household chemical stuff. I don't know of any good reason to pay for an oil change unless you are getting other service done at the same time. It is faster and cheaper to do it yourself.

[Dynamic]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Not sure where the fram hate came from but as long as the filter is was engineered and rated for a specific km it should not matter what brand you use. Just pointing out that oil filters are rated for different kms no matter the brand.

[btimbit]

Can save even more money by building your own ramps with pieces of wood. I had to do that when all the store bought ones were too steep for my car. Stepped ones are also easier to drive up if you have nobody to guide you.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Dynamic

Not sure where the fram hate came from but as long as the filter is was engineered and rated for a specific km it should not matter what brand you use. Just pointing out that oil filters are rated for different kms no matter the brand.

I used to open my filters up after use to see how they performed. With FRAM.... not so good. Coming apart at the ends, large holes, and the flow isn't very good. The cheap FRAM filters don't have a anti-drainback valve. The more expensive toughguard or extraguard were OK, but too expensive for what they were. More $ than a Mobil1 ffs.

If you want a budget filter the motomaster ones aren't bad, or a WIX filter from autovalue.

[Dynamic]

Originally Posted by btimbit

I used to open my filters up after use to see how they performed. With FRAM.... not so good. Coming apart at the ends, large holes, and the flow isn't very good. The cheap FRAM filters don't have a anti-drainback valve. The more expensive toughguard or extraguard were OK, but too expensive for what they were. More $ than a Mobil1 ffs.

If you want a budget filter the motomaster ones aren't bad, or a WIX filter from autovalue.

I never even tried any other filter just because I know the fram number I need. The fram extra guard synthetic must be better constructed cause it feels a lot heavier than the cheapie one. That being said there is no way I'm gonna cut on open cause they are expensive, maybe when I change it out.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Dynamic

I never even tried any other filter just because I know the fram number I need. The fram extra guard synthetic must be better constructed cause it feels a lot heavier than the cheapie one. That being said there is no way I'm gonna cut on open cause they are expensive, maybe when I change it out.

Yeah take it apart and check how it held up, I still do that once or twice a year. The extraguard one wasn't as bad, I still didn't like the flow, but it doesn't fall apart like the cheap one. Bugs me that it's more expensive than some other much better filters though.

[stang]

Originally Posted by firebug

Watch walmart for sales on synthetic. I often can pick up a gallon for $25 and then get the mobil 1 filters for $10 when they are on-sale at canadian tire (or amazon). Most dealerships will then use these supplies to change my oil when I bring the vehicle in (maybe 15 or $20 in labour) so you are looking at $55 for a full synthetic change that should last you 4 times as long as a conventional change (20k vs 5k).

This is exactly what I do!

[timun]

Lol, a lot if people here probably get their tires filled with nitrogen...

Change your oil as often as it says to in your owner's manual. Use the viscosity it says to use. If it says to use synthetic oil, use synthetic oil. If it doesn't, don't worry about it.