Synthetic Oil

[TNhobbyfarmer]

It's probably been discussed dozens of times in this forum, but I rarely if ever come here so thought I'd ask. I use Mobil 1 synthetic oil in my vehicles, the one that claims 15,000 miles between changes. I "only" go about 10,000 miles. What is your opinion of doing this?

 

[MikePA]

It's probably been discussed dozens of times in this forum, but I rarely if ever come here so thought I'd ask. I use Mobil 1 synthetic oil in my vehicles, the one that claims 15,000 miles between changes. I "only" go about 10,000 miles. What is your opinion of doing this?

Why are you changing oil 33% sooner than you have to?

 

[3930dave]

1) Read and understand what your vehicle manufacturer deems Severe Service.

2) Read and understand what Mobil 1 deems Severe Service.

3) Don't forget there is usually a Maximum Time specified.

If you are trying to stay within vehicle warranty, go by #1. Otherwise, consider your driving patterns and adjust accordingly.

OK Ex. - a salesman with a large territory could quickly roll up 15k miles, and possibly be fine with many vehicles.

Not OK Ex. - somebody who is retired, and only makes one or 2 three mile trips a week. Esp. up here, that engine would rarely get up to Operating Temperature. And, it would take forever to hit 15k.

Rgds, D.

 

[kenmac]

Why are you changing oil 33% sooner than you have to?

Here we go,,,
Because he has no UOA to prove he can do other wise. He has no UOA to even he can go 10,000 B-4 changing. Just because an pil claims 15k doesn't mean it will go that far .

 

[MikePA]

As, yes, UOA. A sacred shibboleth in the never ending oil debate, the petroleum equivalent of debating how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.

TNhobbyfarmer - Even the best synthetic oil cannot last long enough for you to receive usable advice from this thread. Guaranteed, you will end up more confused when this thread ends than when you started it. Lots of data, little information. :laughing: And oil has been discussed hundreds of times on this site.

3930dave has the best advice - Follow your owners manual.

 

[kenmac]

As, yes, UOA. A sacred shibboleth in the never ending oil debate, the petroleum equivalent of debating how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.

TNhobbyfarmer - Even the best synthetic oil cannot last long enough for you to receive usable advice from this thread.

Now, Now I gave usable advise. If he gets a UOA based on his driving habits, He will have an idea when he can safely change his oil weather he uses synthetic or Dino............. Everyone knows that you have to know the size of the angles to determine how many can dance on the head of a pin

 

[MikePA]

Everyone knows that you have to know the size of the angles to determine how many can dance on the head of a pin

And you need to know the size of their feet, the music they are dancing to, the number of times their feet hit the head of the pin, whether they're synchronized, etc. So many variables, so little time.

 

[kenmac]

And you need to know the size of their feet, the music they are dancing to, the number of times their feet hit the head of the pin, whether they're synchronized, etc. So many variables, so little time.

After reading the above,,,I'll bow to you're expertise on this subject.:laughing:

 

[Diamondpilot]

To me oil is cheap so a UOA on a passenger vehicle or light truck is a waste of money. Even my diesel truck that takes 4 gallons I feel a UOA is not worth it.

What I do is on conventional oil I go 5000 miles, 3000 miles if towing plowing ect.

Synthetic goes 10000 miles or 7500 if towing plowing ect.

Equipment gets yearly changes or 100 hours on dyno oil.



Chris

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have been using synthetic for a few years now, but I think when my stock runs out, I am going back to Dino oil in anything that doesn't require synthetic (my Ferris mower with Kawasaki engine requires full synthetic). I don't put enough miles on my vehicles to justify using syn. oil. Wifes new car bought last august has 1400 miles on it and that includes one 1200 mile round trip to Houston. Between the 3 vehicles we have I don't think we ever run the miles needed to require changing (all have computer oil change monitor) in a year and the computer is set for using dino oil. I think I am just wasting my money as I have to change yearly and not by mileage for the most part.