Synthetic Oil or Traditional?

[GreyZone]

Looking for any good links or reputable sources on this issue.

Which is better and why?

Wondering about what kinda oil product to use. I have never gone with the synthetic brands. Wondering if I should? And, how might it effect warranty, or is that a non-issue?

(And thanks in advance for the advice to do a search. I have already done that, and am looking for more opinions / thoughts and ideas.)

[ssjones]

I have racked up over half a million miles on my last two vehicles using dino oil and changing the oil/filter every 5k. If you are going to beat the car by racing (autox, track days, drag strip) I think it pays to go synthethic. Just a daily driver, regular changes will make dino oil successful.I run Mobil1 in my '96 Impala SS which basically just sits in the garage, but when drive Ilike to cut her loose a bit. My air cooled Triumph also gets Mobil 1.I'm planning on using Castrol GTX oil in my new Altima (Purolator Pure One filter or NAPA Gold).

[generic808]

It would be too much too list, so I'd suggest a google search of synthetic oil vs. conventional oil and you'll have a ton of info for your reading pleasure.

[D-Roll]

I prefer Mobil1 synthetic

[LinkNuc]

This is being discussed in another thread, I have found that it really doesn't matter and that there really hasn't been a consistent objective test proving one better than the other, I just turned 3750 and switched out to Castrol Synth becuase it was amazingly cheaper (preferred oil of the week I supppose) than Mobil 1, but at the next change I'll again go with whatever the preferred oil is, aka cheapest at the time as it really doesn't matter....nope, don't change my own oil anymore, why bother, disposal, time spent, I have better things to do.

[SHIFT_2.5S]

nope, don't change my own oil anymore, why bother, disposal, time spent, I have better things to do.

[MagicM]

I don't even see the point of using synethic unless you have a high performance sports car, ex.ferrari lambo. I just use normal oil on my infiniti and rangerovers, i think it's a waste of money using synethic when your engine is never going to use the full potential of the oils capabilities.

[Plastics]

I just use whatever is on sales/special at the Quickie-Lube. They usually have recycled 10W30 on as special, and I usually use that on all my previous cars with no problem what so ever.

Last time, I did an oil/filter change on the 3.5SE Premium, I learn the prefer oil is 5W30 which the quickie-lube doesn't offer with recycled oil. I paid $5 more for the house oil, whatever they used....

Plastics08 Altima 3.5SE black Premium Coupe

[generic808]

nope, don't change my own oil anymore, why bother, disposal, time spent, I have better things to do.

For me, it's not a matter of time, disposal, or anything like that. I just don't trust those little lube shops touching my car. I've heard so many stories of them not even changing the oil, changing the oil but not the filter, not tightening the drain plug tight enough so the engine goes dry , etc. If I had a beater, I'd take it to one of those places out of convenience, but my Alty doesn't get within 200 feet of those places

[SHIFT_2.5S]

but my Alty doesn't get within 200 feet of those places

That's where a trusted mechanic comes in. Regardless, it's good that you change your own oil if you have the tools and time, simple because you know what is being done and you can ensure quality.

[MagicM]

that's exactly where i go aswell, a trusted independent mechanic which will do the oil change exactly the same as a dealership but cheaper, and you know you're not getting some 16 year old kid to change your oil.

[ssjones]

It's strange for me. I enjoy getting under the car, looking around, checking other components. With the miles I put on, cheap insurance and assurance. It is not fun with out decent garage space and the right tools.

I'm doing my first change at 2k, which will be next week. With my broken foot, one of my daughters will have to pull an assist. Taught both how to do their cars. One hates it but the oldest does her own because I supply the oil/filters and tools, saves her a few bucks.

[Lurchdubious]

i've been running mobil 1 synthetic extended performance for over a year in both my titan and the wife's corolla s. i change it every 5K miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. for me, buying the oil + filter and taking it to the dealership or independed shop & paying $12 to have them change it is cheaper than hitting up grease monkey every 3 months and wondering what on earth they're doing to my vehicle. oh, and the titan i change myself cuz it's easy to crawl under.

i plan on running mobil 1 EP in my altima as well, after a few thousand miles. royal purple is supposed to be great too, but a little more expensive.

[LinkNuc]

yup I am going to 5K now that I am on synthetic, but to compare one brand vs another is crap and Royal Purple isn't any better than Penzoil sorry it just isnt find me an objective test that proves it better...I'm on Castrol Sntech cause it was the cheapest this time...

[johnny_d]

what's a good conventional oil? I've always had the dealer do oil change but it's such a hassle to wait 2 freaking hrs for a damn oil change. I don't trust the oil filter JiffyLube puts in there

[Lurchdubious]

what's a good conventional oil? I've always had the dealer do oil change but it's such a hassle to wait 2 freaking hrs for a damn oil change. I don't trust the oil filter JiffyLube puts in there

some folks swear by pennzoil platinum, i've also seen good blackstone reports of Chevron's dino oil.
Modified by Lurchdubious at 4:10 PM 12/13/2007

[tomce']

Pennzoil Platinum baby!!!