I've read the threads on synthetic oil but I'm still unsure...

[MattB]

My I30 has 67,500 miles on it. I'm currently running with synthetic blend (partial synthetic) oil. Coming up on my next oil change I'm thinking of switching to Mobil 1 full synthetic as suggested by the dealership. However, I've heard that if the car sits a lot switching to synthetic can be a problem. I drive my car once or twice a week while I'm at school. Does this qualify as sitting too much? Also, is synthetic really worth the extra $40 per oil change? And as the title says, I've read the threads on similar topics.

[hsckris]

well, synthetic isn't an extra 40$ when you change it yourself vs. blend.

i have never heard of any ill effects from sitting personally.

personally, i run synthetic so i can run the oil longer b/w changes b/c my wife and i both commute about 70 miles a day.

[92Maxin]

You should have no problem with going to full syn. Ive used Mobile 1 Syn in every car ive owned. Between oil and filter you should spend around $25 if you change it your self. Just take your used oil to Advance Auto or Auto Zone and they will dispose of it for you free of charge.

[nismo1219]

i love the mobil 1 supersyn. thats what i have always used and have never had any problems or issues with it. my car will periodically sit all weekend without being drove and i have personally never had or even heard of that being a problem.

i change my oil AND filter with every change (ive heard of people reusing the filter...WTF?) and usually buy 4-5 qts. i spend about $30-40 at autozone every change, so i dont think thats too bad. i also decided to swap my stock drain plug for a magnetic one. it just holds any metal particals floating around and keeps them from running back thru your engine. just wipe off and plug it back in. its not a necessity but i just thought a little more maintainance/prevention never hurts.

http://www.passwordjdm.com/pro...lated

[A.Tech]

M1+Supersyn=Perfect combo...

That is all I get but it always clocks in at like $45-50 bucks... I have no idea where that other poster said it will cost $25 bucks. No well in hell it costs that much for 5 quarts of super syn and an M1 filter over here...

but yea, doing it your self is not only the best way for money, but it also makes sure you using good ish... Cause if you don't have the time and your bring it to a quick lube shop, they use all generic ish to save money. And you can ask for Syn but they will mostly likely put blended in.

btw...

Jtibbs to they give you a good discount on your oil?

Modified by A.Tech at 9:54 AM 4/17/2007
Modified by A.Tech at 3:28 AM 4/18/2007

[92Maxin]

The $25 is a 5 quart jug of Mobile 1 syn and a oil filter. If your paying $450 for an oil change then its safe to say your gettin robbed! Thats a car payment.BTW im just bustin your balls. I know you ment $45-50. Things arond here are a little cheaper then most of the other country. Sales tax isnt as much ect. For instance a lot of places are paying $3+ for a gallon of gas but were only at $2.67. Couple months ( Jan-Feb ) ago we were at $1.88. The $25 is normal for both the oil and filter. The MOST i would have to pay would be $30 and thats if one place was out and i had to get it from somewere else.
Modified by 92Maxin at 3:19 AM 4/17/2007

[A.Tech]

$45-50. I made a typo...

you gots to use your head son... lol J/P

just bustin as well...

[MattB]

I'm still trying to figure out if this makes sense for me to go to synthetic. What's the oil change interval? If it's more than 6000 miles it may make economic sense because the oil change costs twice as much but has to be done less times.

Also is there any truth to the horror stories about engine leaks after going to synthetic? Some people have told me that even with only 67K on the car synthetic can cause leaks.

[hsckris]

it depends, if your car has run nothing but conventional upto 67k, i'd personally leave it alone so i wouldn't run the risk of changing gaskets.

my mom had a 97 maxima and we got it w/ around 30k on the clock, switched it to synthetic shortly after and it needed a new gasket (i forget which one) b/c it developed an oil leak. by the same token, i switched an old ford car of mine (this was back in 2000) over to synthetic at 100k and it was fine. i think that is a little extreme to get a leak (with only mid30s on the odo) but at 67k -- i don't know that it'd be worth the risk -- it is upto you. i'd think the most seriosu problem you'd have would be a gasket or seal of some kind, which aren't that bad to replace yourself or even to pay.

somebody else might have more experience than just two switchovers...

[MattB]

I have no idea what it was run with prior to my buying the car. I've run it on semi-synthetic since I've owned it.

[A.Tech]

dude... like I mentioned above going full synthetic will be fine. It is not gonna damage the car, people that have those horror stories either hate that they can't afford it or their engine suddenly started to leak due to a leak that was already happening they just did not see it until they put synthetic in. It was a coincidence but is also not rocket science either man.

SO go for it... The Molecules are smaller in synthetic and it will treat seals better because it goes in them better. I would not put synthetic in a car that is like 250K if it took regular oil all of its life or anything because the sludge could be keeping he seals from leaking. Cars that are fairly within a decade old with under 175-200k should be just fine.

[MattB]

dude... like I mentioned above going full synthetic will be fine. It is not gonna damage the car, people that have those horror stories either hate that they can't afford it or their engine suddenly started to leak due to a leak that was already happening they just did not see it until they put synthetic in. It was a coincidence but is also not rocket science either man.

SO go for it... The Molecules are smaller in synthetic and it will treat seals better because it goes in them better. I would not put synthetic in a car that is like 250K if it took regular oil all of its life or anything because the sludge could be keeping he seals from leaking. Cars that are fairly within a decade old with under 175-200k should be just fine.

Okay that's pretty much convinced me. My dealer service history shows no signs of burning oil and I can't see any leaks on the ground or under the hood. This car wasn't mistreated before I bought it, the thing barely has a scratch on it. At 67500 I just can't imagine there being any potential hidden issues so it looks like my next oil change will be with Mobil 1 synthetic.

[p144]

I'm still trying to figure out if this makes sense for me to go to synthetic. What's the oil change interval? If it's more than 6000 miles it may make economic sense because the oil change costs twice as much but has to be done less times.

I use the Mobil1 15,000mi oil and filter, but I only go 10,000 miles. Then again I only go 3,000 on conventional oil.