Observations on Switch to Synthetic Oil

[jcmseven]

I use Mobil synthetic in my Power Stroke diesel. I really like it. I am not much of a brand war guy, as long as the brand and grade is reputable. My father retired about five years ago from the oil business so "people would quite complaining to him about the price of oil" and he chastized me for my appreciation of synthetic lubes and oils. He would say that they are not worth the money. I understand his point of view and would say in some cases he might be right, but I really like the way synthetic oil in my pickup engine does. I change mine at 7500-8000 mile intervals due to the type driving I do and I definitely see an improvement in economy and temperature. My engine is pretty hopped up and I have had no problems at all and can average about 1 mpg better with syn oil on long trips and closer to two mpg better in wintertime. I also think my engine runs a bit more quietly with syn oil--but that could be placebo effect.

John M

 

[zeuspaul]

The major oil companies don't claim 25,000 as the car manufacturers don't accept long intervals in their warranties although that is starting to change. It doesn't mean the oil isn't as good or better than those claiming a 25,000 interval.

A buddy of mine used Mobil One . He uses preceise temperature monitors in his RV Then along came Castrol synthetic (ten years ago??) with a fancy new synthetic with claims that it would *stick*? or stay in the system. He switched and immediately went back to Mobil One as the temperature went up dramatically. So not all synthetics are the same. Good synthetics are simply better lubricants so they reduce friction which reduces heat and increases power. There are other advantages.

I put Mobil One gear oil in my vette differential and the mpg went up 0.5 mpg long term average precisely monitored. During a service the dealer replaced it with standard oil and sure enough the mpg went back to where it was.

Zeuspaul

 

[Doc_Bob]

The major oil companies don't claim 25,000 as the car manufacturers don't accept long intervals in their warranties although that is starting to change. It doesn't mean the oil isn't as good or better than those claiming a 25,000 interval.

I understand that in Europe, oil change intervals have been getting longer and longer. Many reasons for extended intervals, but one major reason is that that oil technology just keeps getting better.

Bob

 

[Kaliburz]

Webbmeister, in my opinion ,you are using the best oil out there for the price.Don't stop with your tractor. Use Amsoil in your vehicles for 25,000 mile oil drains.

LOL. It would take me 2 years to rack up 25K miles on my car/pickup.


On a seriouse note, how many more "hours" can be added before the oil change w/ Amsoil (or any synthetic) for off road engines? Using the 50mph 'guestimation', 25K miles would be 500 hours.....

At work (public school buses), they switched to a 10W-40 (or was it 5W-40). Any how, the mechanics have noticed slight leaks showing up in the valve/pan/timing gaskets. Some "older" engines seem to have more blow by also.... I don't recall who made the oil we are using.

 

[Theowegian]

Good thread!
I switched from dinosaur oil to synthetic oil (Mobil 1) in my little air cooled John Deere lawn tractor.

I immediately noticed that the engine didn't return to idle as quickly as it did before! I wasn't even thinking about the oil I had installed and was beginning to think that I had a sticking throttle, until I checked the linkages and lubed them up properly. Then it dawned on my about the synthetic oil.

So that synthetic oil does tend to keep the engine spinning a little longer...NEAT!!!

obtw, my lawn tractor is air cooled with a filtered, pressurized oil system.

 

[TORQUIN]

I began using Amsoil in my BMW in the mid 90's, with 175K on the engine. It now has 311K on it and runs just fine. This is with 25K oil changes, and 12.5K filter changes. If you do the math, considering a 3K oil change with Dino oil, I have saved quite a few bucks on oil and filters over those miles, and if you think about labor, or your time, it's even more.
List of engines that have Amsoil in them:
96 Ram, Cummins, rear and tranny troo.
99 Ram, Cummins, rear, front, t-case, and tranny too.
86 BMW, 6 cyl gasser, rear and tranny too.
99 Scotts lawn mower, Briggs and Stratton
2004 Kubota L3830. Getting ready to switch to Amsoil ATH instead of SUDT.
I have some for the generator, if I ever get around to changing it over. Tecumseh engine.

Chris

 

[SkyPup]

I've been using Amsoil ATH synthetic hydraulic fluid in my L-39 GST the past 400 hours and the L-3130 GST the past 400 hours and the ZD-21 HST the past 275 hours and cannot notice any difference between SUDT and ATH.

However, using straight UST was awful.....

 

[YanmarFever]

I switched over to amzoil in my dodge diesel, its an 02 with the H o. noisy engine (bucket of chestnuts with a microphone) to say the least !The engine quieted down about 20% and I got 3/4 of a mile better mileage.I liked it so much I switched my wifes car & my fun car over to it also.In the tractors I put shell rotella synthetic and my temp gauge runs a little cooler too.In the lawn mower I put Mobil 1 10-30.For many years I thought synthetic oil was a gimick until I tried it.I never thought I would ever switch to synthetics but after listening to the diesel dodge, Im never going back to dyno.I like my machines to much

 

[cp1969]

That synthetic oil must be amazing stuff if it can tame combustion knock.

 

[YanmarFever]

That synthetic oil must be amazing stuff if it can tame combustion knock.It sure is !!! dont KNOCK IT until you try it