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  1. #1
    Radar Fanatic
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    Default normal oil vs synthetic oil

    I'll be doing an oil change soon on my car, I haven't used synthetic yet due to the price of it. I was wondering if there were any positive gains to synthetic oil vs just oil. I know synthetic is thinner and shouldn't be used in older cars but that is about it. my car is only a year old so i was thinking about using synthetic this time.

  2. #2
    Experienced
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    Default Re: normal oil vs synthetic oil

    Not sure what your driving, but I drive a VW Passat, and can ONLY use Full Synthetic....learned the hard way after spending thousands to fix a problem (caused by using normal oil) that left me stranded with no warning. It's an older model, so I'm not sure how picky they are these days with their new line, or other manufacturer for that matter.

  3. #3
    Banned
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    Default Re: normal oil vs synthetic oil

    I have used Mobil 1 synthetic for years. In an old Buick after putting in a new motor a year later (no issues). And exclusively in my Acura TL.

    Synthetic is definitely the way to go, but if you start try to stick with it. There is an increase in synthetic's longevity and wear protection. I change my oil now every 6k and my TL still runs like new and old dirty oil is still fairly clean, 160k and still going.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: normal oil vs synthetic oil

    .
    Last edited by DrCoke; 09-20-2011 at 10:51 PM.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: normal oil vs synthetic oil

    Synthetic is thinner and has better lubricity to it. This allows it to get into smaller parts of the engine and reduce wear. It'll also gain you a few HP by using it over regular oil. But by using the thinner oil, you may discover a new oil leak.

  6. #6
    Speed Demon
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    Default Re: normal oil vs synthetic oil

    It depends on the car, condition of the engine and mileage of the engine.

    Newer the car, and lower mileage you can switch to synthetic. Why don't you try a blended syn/natural oil first.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: normal oil vs synthetic oil

    the cars only a year and a half old with 14k miles on it, used cheap oil last time and its only been a little less than 2000 since the last time i changed it but the engine seems to be hesitant, ever since i put this oil in.

    I'll give the blend a shot

  8. #8

    Default Re: normal oil vs synthetic oil

    I Swear by synthetic oil. Yeah it costs a bit more but you can safely go 5000 miles between changes without the risk of the oil breaking down or sludging up.

  9. #9
    Speed Demon
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    Default Re: normal oil vs synthetic oil

    14k on the engine synthetic will be fine. I only out mobil 1 in my cars

  10. #10
    Rocket Driver
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    Default Re: normal oil vs synthetic oil

    I use Mobil one in all my vehicles. I just got rid of the F-150 with 120,000 miles on it. no problems, only changed the oil every 15000 miles in the F-150. Use it in the Vette and Caddy, change it when the oil monitor systems say 50 percent life left. This is usually around 10,000 miles.

    I will never use anything but synthetic in any of my vehicles.

    If you have an older car that has never had synthetic, it can leak around the seals in my experience.
    Valentine One (3.858 Ice Cream Truck, 3.812 in Vette)
    4 Head LI (On Vette) (7.11 CPU Regular heads front, HP Heads on the rear)
    9500ci (On Vette)

    LI Quad (On Ice Cream Truck)

    LI Dual (On SRX, 7.06 CPU)

    ProLaser II, ProLaser III, Stalker LZ-1, LTI Marksman & Laser Atlanta "R" (looking for an Ultralyte LRB)

    2008 Corvette Z-51 Coupe

    Escort 9500 ix (Cadillac SRX)

 

 

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