Break In hours before synthetic oil changeover?

[two4spooky]

(snip) ... I follow the dino till stabilization then synthetic after that ( my personal preferences ) for super bikes , race car engines , regular cars / trucks and all other toys ....

And you will be fine following your chosen regime, the same as the people who choose use synthetics immediately. I have a Tacoma bought new with 11 miles on the odometer. First oil change was at 500 miles and I used Mobil 1 full synthetic. I now have over 200k miles on it, it uses no measureable amount of oil between changes every 5k. The Taco' does not smoke, leak or rattle and the engine is original(though I did replace valve cover gaskets at around 180k because of weeping, common issue on the 3.4l). I have a Honda with 120k, same deal, all original no oil use. I have three Kubota's also, one with 900 hours. Same deal, no oil use, no troubles. Synthetics are fine in new engines. *** Edit to add: the tractor with 900 hours was started on synthetic at the first oil change at 10 or 15 hours, I would have to look in my manual for the exact hours.

 

[ray66v]

First oil change was at 500 miles and I used Mobil 1 full synthetic. I now have over 200k miles on it, it uses no measureable amount of oil between changes every 5k.

My villager has 227k on it, and it does not use oil. My wife's Malibu had 168k on it, when she gave it to her niece. Both had 5k oil changes. Neither one has ever seen a drop of synthetic oil. Both have had regular Penzoil all their lives.

All good quality oil, is very good today. You can't go wrong.

 

[kenmac]

The only warning that came with my Kawasaki powered ZTR is that using synthetic oil may increase oil usage. The dealer mechanic said to use only full synthetic oil although the manual doesn't address that as a requirement.

You and I have discussed using synthetic oil in our Kawasaki engine B-4...If I remember correctly,,, you and I have the same manual. I believe the manual states that using any multi weight oil (not just synthetic) vs straight 30 wt, may cause a little oil usage

 

[two4spooky]

All good quality oil, is very good today.

I agree. And most people are fine with quality dino oil, quality filters and reasonable OCIs. I do feel that synthetics have advantages though. I use synthetics when they suit my need or preference.

 

[MHarryE]

My 2000 BMW 328i has 130k miles, uses no oil between changes, changes have ranged between 14,000 - 16,000 miles, and it has always had synthetic. My wife's car, a 2008 BMW 328xi, had 65k miles, has had oil changes at 22k, 41k, and 61k. It's oil level has never been lower than full (it has no dipstick - just an electronic bar graph with 6 segments, always all 6 lit). It has also always had synthetic. Today's materials, manufacturing methods and lubricants are so different than in the past that all the old tales are just that - memories.

 

[Monster5601]

I agree. And most people are fine with quality dino oil, quality filters and reasonable OCIs. I do feel that synthetics have advantages though. I use synthetics when they suit my need or preference.

Very true, if people knew what the real (as opposed to the Internet myths and marketing hype) advantages of synthetics oils are, most likely wouldn't waste their money on it when it isn't called for by the manufacture. Before you die-hards start throwing rocks at me, do the research.

Synthetic Motor Oils | J.D. Power

 

[Z71]

The manufacturers don't want your equipment to last forever, they want to sell you a new one and will settle for selling you expensive parts and service when it breaks. After the warranty is over its your problem.

OEM's only recommend what makes them money.

 

[ray66v]

I agree. And most people are fine with quality dino oil, quality filters and reasonable OCIs. I do feel that synthetics have advantages though. I use synthetics when they suit my need or preference.

I don't even know about quality filters. I have never used anything except FRAM, which everyone says are junk. Many filters have gotten very small, at least suggesting, they have less importance, now that the oil is so good.

Synthetic have two potential advantages for the owners: 1. Better performance in extreme temperatures. 2. Longer intervals.

And one advantage for the oil makers: They make people "feel" good. People will often spend extra money to get that, whether they need to do it, or not.

 

[jaotguy]

I don't even know about quality filters. I have never used anything except FRAM, which everyone says are junk. Many filters have gotten very small, at least suggesting, they have less importance, now that the oil is so good.

not so much the oil , but the manufacturing processes with less flashing , tighter tolerances and better materials .... less junk floating around to be filtered out.

Synthetic have two potential advantages for the owners: 1. Better performance in extreme temperatures. 2. Longer intervals.

absolutely no arguments there ...

And one advantage for the oil makers: They make people "feel" good. People will often spend extra money to get that, whether they need to do it, or not.

YUP ....

had a 1990 gasser Jetta run on dino oil , changed every 5 K ... had 875,000 Km on it when I sold it ( no smoking, original engine , no rebuilds )

the 1999 diesel Jetta runs on synthetic , changed every 10 K ... has 635,000 Km on it ( all original ), still ticking over happily....

almost all oils of today far exceed the requirements for our engines ( and will be improved as time goes on )

 

[ray66v]

not so much the oil , but the manufacturing processes with less flashing , tighter tolerances and better materials .... less junk floating around to be filtered out.

Yes, the quality of engines are the biggest factor in the longevity they have today.

It is not deniable however, that engine oil is vastly superior to what we used 30 years ago.