Thoughts on synthetic oil

[LWOOD]

Why would the 0W/20 product be not recommended? It flows thinner than the 5W/20, giving good start-up protection, and won't get any thicker under heat, again ensuring good particulate protection and flow? I have been using Mobil1 0W/20 for three changes now. I haven't lost any oil between changes (5K-6K mile intervals), my engine runs 4 degrees cooler than it used to and I am getting 19-20 mpg even through some aggressive stints behind the wheel.

[james jefferson]

Originally Posted by james jefferson

i buy my syntec 5w20 at Advance auto parts or Autozone.

1 don't remember the cost, i believe i paid around $6 per qt. now, in atlanta area, 5w20 not available at walmart.

[II kings 9:20]

$6 seems quite high, have you checked Big K, the $7+ saved on the oil change can be used to buy powerball tickets

[james jefferson]

i notice with outside temp at 63deg. to 71deg. (just checked last 3 days and that was ambient temp) my engine temp fluctuates between 204 and 206 deg. i am using castrol syntec. anyone else have any readings with oil you are using? and yes, according to temp gauge reading is slightly lower than mid-mark. to get realtime readings i was using the "easter egg" procedure. just curious.

[LWOOD]

With the cooler NE temps this last week on Mobil 1 I am getting 203 degrees on the highway, 204-206 on surface streets according to the same easter egg...I wish I would have known about that reading befroe switching to synthetic oil to see if there was a real difference in temp.

[mileshoover]

I just called the dealer to set up my 5K service and asked about putting in synthetic oil. The Service Writer said I should wait until 10K to "let the engine set itself up" and that DC recommends this approach.

I have never used synthetic oil and will be following the "B" sked of maintenance. This will be the first oil change. I really don't believe in changing oil any sooner than 5K intervals.

Wondering about the need for synthetic under those circumstances.

Comments?

[Lancorp]

Originally Posted by james jefferson

i notice with outside temp at 63deg. to 71deg. (just checked last 3 days and that was ambient temp) my engine temp fluctuates between 204 and 206 deg. i am using castrol syntec. anyone else have any readings with oil you are using? and yes, according to temp gauge reading is slightly lower than mid-mark. to get realtime readings i was using the "easter egg" procedure. just curious.

Can you direct me to the "easter egg" procedure for getting engine temp? I did a quick search, but didn't come up with the results I was looking for.

Thanks!

[AndyK]

hold down compass and nav buttons together on steering wheel for ~10 seconds. use up/down to flip thru pages.

[II kings 9:20]

Miles, try putting a qt of syn and a qt of regular outside on a cold Virginia winter night (a deep freezer works well) and observe the pourability of both, shocking. I don't use syn to extend intervals but rather for less wear at startup especially in mid winter when the oil is like molasses and superior heat protection, no sludge or coking from burned oil in narrow passages to worry about. Test for yourself in cold conditions.

[pd171]

I put a quart of Quaker State 5W-20 and a quart of Mobil 1 out side at 47 below 0 when I was stationed in Alaska. The Quaker State would not pour but the Mobil 1 would (it was like thick syrup but it did pour). I also used synthetic gear lube otherwise you could not shift gears until the tranny warmed up.