To Use Synthetic or Not to Use Synthetic . . .
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
Joined
·
66 Posts
I just did my first oil change on my 00 2.7L Trep and I used Valvoline Synthetic. I am not sure whether it is my driving habits or what, but I have seen an increase of about 5 MPG since the oil change. I have only had the car 3 months so its hard to say if it is worth it. I quess I will find out over the course of the next year or so.
Joined
·
66 Posts
I failed to mention that I purchased the car used. It had almost 31,000 miles on it. I changed the erl at 34,000.
Joined
·
624 Posts
valvoline max life...cant find it in most places (around me, that is) but it contains an additive similar to the B&G additive i normally used (formerly with good ol pennzoil)...it tastes better, too...
It doesn't matter which type of oil you use. It won't increase your fuel economy at all. Full synthetic oil costs a lot of money and isn't worth it. I used it in one car I owned (for the entire life that I owned it) and there was no difference compared to any other oil I have used. I know people who only use synthetic and their engines are in no better condition than mine. The only benefits between different types of oil are the additives they put into it.
It is just like gasoline. All the gas comes out of the same pipeline the only difference between Mobil and Exxon is the additives added.
The only thing that I am sure synthetic is good for is that it stays thinner in cooler temperatures and will probably lubricate your valves and such faster than a conventional oil in winter. But when we are talking a difference of a few seconds, does that even matter?
'85 Dodge Lancer ES Conventional 118,000 miles (bought with 80K)
'90 Dodge Spirit ES Synthetic 168,000 miles (bought with 110K)
'91 Dodge Spirit R/T Conventional 110,000 miles (bought with 75K)
'97 Dodge Intrepid Conventional 103,000 miles (bought with 78K)
I have gotten the same amount of life out of each car I have owned regardless of oil type. The 90 Dodge Spirit was owned for 3 years and driven across country 8 times. The Lancer was dumped due to computer problems and not engine problems. The R/T doesn't use or leak a drop of oil at all.
So, when it comes down to oil selection, get what you want and what makes you feel good. Above all, make sure you change it every 3000 miles or every 3 months and it will be fine. JUST DON'T SKIP OIL CHANGES!!
It is just like gasoline. All the gas comes out of the same pipeline the only difference between Mobil and Exxon is the additives added.
The only thing that I am sure synthetic is good for is that it stays thinner in cooler temperatures and will probably lubricate your valves and such faster than a conventional oil in winter. But when we are talking a difference of a few seconds, does that even matter?
'85 Dodge Lancer ES Conventional 118,000 miles (bought with 80K)
'90 Dodge Spirit ES Synthetic 168,000 miles (bought with 110K)
'91 Dodge Spirit R/T Conventional 110,000 miles (bought with 75K)
'97 Dodge Intrepid Conventional 103,000 miles (bought with 78K)
I have gotten the same amount of life out of each car I have owned regardless of oil type. The 90 Dodge Spirit was owned for 3 years and driven across country 8 times. The Lancer was dumped due to computer problems and not engine problems. The R/T doesn't use or leak a drop of oil at all.
So, when it comes down to oil selection, get what you want and what makes you feel good. Above all, make sure you change it every 3000 miles or every 3 months and it will be fine. JUST DON'T SKIP OIL CHANGES!!
Thanks, Viprman . . . that's kind of what I thought . . . I have long said that oil changes are the single most important contribution to the longevity of a vehicle - check it out:
'90 Ford Tempo - Purchased w/90k, Sold w/211k, still running perfectly.
'91 Jeep Cherokee - Purchased w/120k, sold w/165k.
'85 Jeep CJ-7 - Purchased w/90k, currently 126k and running strong.
Yep, never like to miss an oil change. Ran all these vehicles with conventional oil, although might switch the CJ over once her new engine is set!
[ November 30, 2001: Message edited by: MoparHead ]
'90 Ford Tempo - Purchased w/90k, Sold w/211k, still running perfectly.
'91 Jeep Cherokee - Purchased w/120k, sold w/165k.
'85 Jeep CJ-7 - Purchased w/90k, currently 126k and running strong.
Yep, never like to miss an oil change. Ran all these vehicles with conventional oil, although might switch the CJ over once her new engine is set!
[ November 30, 2001: Message edited by: MoparHead ]
yea, it is a little thick, but it quiets down all the little noises that come from inside the engine. and my theory: if you can't hear it destroy itself, it will last longer.
But seriously, it is getting an oil change soon (at 101K) and will go to its 'winter' oil.
But seriously, it is getting an oil change soon (at 101K) and will go to its 'winter' oil.
Is that when they died? That would make me very sad...
'88 Dodge Shadow 2.2L 239,000 miles (bought with ~140k)
I used conventional oil for the first few oil changes, and then decided to switch to Mobil 1 5W-30. The car's still running on the original engine- no rebuild. I don't think it's the oil though. I haven't exactly babied her either. Man I love those 5-speeds.
** EDIT **
I'd sell my soul for a Spirit R/T... Well, I'd sell SOMETHING at least...
[ November 30, 2001: Message edited by: nstenz ]
The Lancer ES (2.2L turbo) was traded in for the Spirit ES because it nickel and diming me with electrical problems. The Spirit ES was driven a long time and then the fan stopped coming on so I bypassed it with a toggle switch. It also had that infamous valve seal problem plaqued early generation 3.0L V6. So, two summers ago I found a Spirit R/T in New York and I gave the old Spirit ES to my dad to trade in for a car he wanted. I drove the R/T for a year and put on a lot of miles. I was worried that I would kill the car before I got a chance to enjoy it by putting so many miles on it. So, I tried to sell it and noone wanted to give me fair value for it. I really didn't want to sell it so I decided it was worth more to me to keep it. After that I bought my Intrepid and parked the R/T November of last year.Originally posted by nstenz:
Is that when they died? That would make me very sad...
'88 Dodge Shadow 2.2L 239,000 miles (bought with ~140k)
I used conventional oil for the first few oil changes, and then decided to switch to Mobil 1 5W-30. The car's still running on the original engine- no rebuild. I don't think it's the oil though. I haven't exactly babied her either. Man I love those 5-speeds.
** EDIT **
I'd sell my soul for a Spirit R/T... Well, I'd sell SOMETHING at least...
[ November 30, 2001: Message edited by: nstenz ]
So, none of these cars ever died. I either upgraded them or still using them.
As for the R/T's for sale, I just saw a white '91 R/T with 120K for sale on Ebay for $1850. Bidding was supposed to end this evening.
Joined
·
4 Posts
Stay away from synthetic oil, it has no real advantage. You should get your oil changed every 3kmils no matter what you use. With my 3.5 L use 10w-30 penzzoil, highly reccomend tht for your R/T.
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
