Thoughts on synthetic oil

[II kings 9:20]

Agreed Kev, The Enzo requires Shell synthetic oil at $60/qt 12qt capacity and you void the engine warranty if you don't use it, "that will be $200K for the rebuild please". Yes, $200K is the Ferrari estimate for an Enzo rebuild. I was going with Mobil 1 and got a good deal on Amsoil with Amsoil filters and will be changing it this weekend. There are two other threads discussing all of this. "synthetic vs conventional oil" is the most recent where many of us pontificated on this very topic. Your filter is as important as your oil, see all the info in the other oil threads.

[BMWhat?]

The example of MB with a class action suit is a rarity. In the millions and millions of cars sold to date, how many class actions law suits have their been due to use of manufacturer suggested motor oil? The MB thing is purely the fault of the engineers at MB... the recommended the wrong oil. Clearly the engine was designed for synthetic use and this with not recognized.

My point is that as long a the minimum spec's are followed in terms of maintenance, most cars will be just fine for a good long time.

Regarding the Enzo, they recommend a specific synthetic oil, so do many many other cars and thus, those requirements of course need to be followed.

[LWOOD]

In the U.S. however, federal law dictates that if a manufacturer REQUIRES the use of a specific product for the warranty to be considered valid, i.e. a specific kind of oil, they have to provide that product free of charge. So if we were REQUIRED to use Mobil 1 for instance, than it would have to be distributed to us free. Not the labor for the oil change, but the product itself. So, the costs involved make manufacturers reticent to REQUIRE anything, just "suggest". And if you own an Enzo, you could give a flying fig about the cost of oil!

[RobertR]

Changed the oil this week and filled with Mobil 1. Watching temp and noticed the engine running about 12 degrees cooler after the Mobil 1 change.

[II kings 9:20]

Originally Posted by BMWhat?

The example of MB with a class action suit is a rarity. In the millions and millions of cars sold to date, how many class actions law suits have their been due to use of manufacturer suggested motor oil? The MB thing is purely the fault of the engineers at MB... the recommended the wrong oil. Clearly the engine was designed for synthetic use and this with not recognized.

My point is that as long a the minimum spec's are followed in terms of maintenance, most cars will be just fine for a good long time.

Regarding the Enzo, they recommend a specific synthetic oil, so do many many other cars and thus, those requirements of course need to be followed.

Watch for a possible class action re: Chrysler 2.7 sludge build up from cooked oil in too small internal oil passages, synthetic does'nt cook without a blow torch. I agree, most situations non synthetic is ok , most of us know someone with 200K+ on thier car on regular oil. I use synthetic for that extra margin, is it absolutely necessary- no, neither was it absolutely necessary for me to get the Hemi, the 3.5 would have been adequate just as regular oil is adequate. For most enthusiasts, adequate is simply not good enough.

[BMWhat?]

Actually, I have a perfect example of where using synthetic saved my butt. I had been using Castrol Syntec in my 89 Taurus V6 and I was driving in humid 90+ weather. I noticed my temp gauge shoot up to just below the red mark. It stayed there while I drove another 10 miles doing 70+ MPH. When I got home, I realized I had blown a hose and had not coolant for quite a while.

The Synthetic keep the engine at a stable operating temperature without any coolant!! Since this event, I've also prescribed to the notion that it's generally a good idea to spend the extra 20 bucks on Synthetic Oil.

[E55 KEV]

Originally Posted by RobertR

Changed the oil this week and filled with Mobil 1. Watching temp and noticed the engine running about 12 degrees cooler after the Mobil 1 change.

RobertR, what viscosity you using? Mobil-1 does not make 5W-20. Thanks.

[E55 KEV]

Originally Posted by BMWhat?

The MB thing is purely the fault of the engineers at MB... the recommended the wrong oil. Clearly the engine was designed for synthetic use and this with not recognized.

My point is that as long a the minimum spec's are followed in terms of maintenance, most cars will be just fine for a good long time.

And what makes you think that Chrsyler/MB engineers have not made any mistakes or faults and made an error proof car? The main reason for factory warranty is to cover mistakes made in design, engineering and build.

That is the main/only point behind the Class Action - everyone was following what the engineers recommended and it turn out to be wrong in the long run.

[BMWhat?]

Actually Kev, engineers make lot's of mistakes. Most of which the consumer never learns about. I say this because I live it every day.

[Hemi_Hombre]

I've used synthetics for years, primarily Mobile 1 because you can get it anywhere, anytime. And a good filter, like Mobil 1 or K&N (p/n HP 2004).

This web page has great "real-world" application/tests.

http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/mobil1.html