Synthetic oil myth or fact?

[Soundguy]

periodoc maint is the real key. some people expect machines to do their own maintenance.

I have bought tractors that had ford oil filter elements in them that havn't been made for decades.

oil looked same vintage too!

 

[MESSMAKER]

In my 1500 Gold Wing I used to run the standard oil and had no problems. I changed to there HP4 synthetic/mineral blend because I liked the idea of more miles between oil changes and I could tell a slight difference in how it shifted. There was never a problem with the shifting but it just got slightly smoother.

Also I am confused when it is said to not mix synthetic with standard oil. Some of these oils are blends as are other brands.
http://motorcycle.honda.ca/Content/...nericContent_FFH/oils-and-applications-en.pdf

I think this is common. I hear about it from Honda owners. I think most Harley owners use synthetic for the same reason. Went to the H.D. dealer with friend the other day. 6 quarts(yes he needs 6 quarts) and filter was $94.

 

[Texasmark]

Said I'd avoid this topic but I lied. Notice the Light Duty PU truck warranties these days? Notice the power train warranty is 100k miles? Wonder why all of a sudden for some mfgrs? Check the oil specs in the engine, tranny, and diff.

Mark

 

[3930dave]

Said I'd avoid this topic but I lied. Notice the Light Duty PU truck warranties these days? Notice the power train warranty is 100k miles? Wonder why all of a sudden for some mfgrs? Check the oil specs in the engine, tranny, and diff.

Mark

That's why OTR trucks have used synth in diffs for a long time..... good strategy if you are pounding on the miles.

Always a good idea to get really familiar with your Maintenance Schedule. In some cases, maintenance intervals have gone down significantly - I'm thinking of VW's DSG trani - last I checked it was a lot shorter interval than what most N. Americans would expect for an automatic.

Rgds, D.

 

[kenmac]

I think this is common. I hear about it from Honda owners. I think most Harley owners use synthetic for the same reason. Went to the H.D. dealer with friend the other day. 6 quarts(yes he needs 6 quarts) and filter was $94.

.

He needs to find an Amsoil dealer. Harley don't make their oil. Wonder if Harley oil is a true synthetic ?

 

[CalG]

That's why OTR trucks have used synth in diffs for a long time..... good strategy if you are pounding on the miles.

Always a good idea to get really familiar with your Maintenance Schedule. In some cases, maintenance intervals have gone down significantly - I'm thinking of VW's DSG trani - last I checked it was a lot shorter interval than what most N. Americans would expect for an automatic.

Rgds, D.

Now this is an interesting bit on the topic.

I know that on the three Audi vehicles I operate, Audi claims the transmission fluid is "lifetime". That is, never needs changed.

Meanwhile, ZF, the maker of the transmission recommends fluid and filter changes at something like 30 or 40 thousand miles.

Both only recogonize a certain specification trans. fluid.

My own preference is to use Wolf Head(Amalie) fluid and change at 50K ;-) All three rigs are pushing 200K on original transmissions ;-)

 

[3930dave]

Now this is an interesting bit on the topic.

I know that on the three Audi vehicles I operate, Audi claims the transmission fluid is "lifetime". That is, never needs changed.

Meanwhile, ZF, the maker of the transmission recommends fluid and filter changes at something like 30 or 40 thousand miles.

Both only recogonize a certain specification trans. fluid.

My own preference is to use Wolf Head(Amalie) fluid and change at 50K ;-) All three rigs are pushing 200K on original transmissions ;-)

A lot of people are really bad about regular maintenance. Personally I'd prefer stick (manual), but definitely would not be buying a DSG car w/o extensive documentation concerning it's maintenance. DSG appears to be a good transmission, performance wise, but it requires a very specific/expensive fluid, and a change interval that many people here would consider too frequent.

You're well past that point, but within warranty, I'd sleep better with fresh factory fluid in a DSG - one less thing to be used to deny a warranty claim. I'm not familiar with what Audi requires, but 40k miles seems to be about what VW wants.

Total service costs.... can be a killer. If you buy a small tdi to commute long distances with, DSG service costs, and timing belt changes can really add up ! Larger VW diesels (I'd expect Audi is the same) do away with timing belts, but most people I know don't consider those to be affordable commuters.

Timing belts can be labour intensive to change on many brands..... the Audi gassers I've seen done need to have a lot of the front end removed - not a big deal for a pro-wrench, but it's time/$.

Unfortunately, a lot of people deal with high maintenance costs by delaying getting it done, or just not doing it ! A lot of manufacturers address this by selling "lifetime" fill stories.....

Rgds, D.

 

[DeereMann]

"Lifetime" lubricants (typically full synthetics) are only lifetime IF (big if!) gross contamination can be completely ruled out. Every 'sealed for life' lubricated mechanism I've dealt with fails at some point. The question is 'when'?

Per 3930 Dave, since we are not privy to regular used oil analysis, I change all lubricants at a reasonable interval. Most automotive manufacturers call for 50k mile service, so that's where I change.

Mechanism seals wear, go bad, etc. letting dirt get in. For gear boxes, most have a breather so the seals don't blow out. The breather lets in moisture. Too much moisture & your lubricant starts to emulsify (milky color) and the gears/bearings start to wear & rust.

Changing lubes is relatively cheap insurance for machine elements that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars (loonies or greenbacks!) for those of us that keep our equipment for a long time. :thumbsup:

 

[3930dave]

"Lifetime" lubricants (typically full synthetics) are only lifetime IF (big if!) gross contamination can be completely ruled out. Every 'sealed for life' lubricated mechanism I've dealt with fails at some point. The question is 'when'?

Per 3930 Dave, since we are not privy to regular used oil analysis, I change all lubricants at a reasonable interval. Most automotive manufacturers call for 50k mile service, so that's where I change.

Mechanism seals wear, go bad, etc. letting dirt get in. For gear boxes, most have a breather so the seals don't blow out. The breather lets in moisture. Too much moisture & your lubricant starts to emulsify (milky color) and the gears/bearings start to wear & rust.

Changing lubes is relatively cheap insurance for machine elements that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars (loonies or greenbacks!) for those of us that keep our equipment for a long time. :thumbsup:

Wise words DM. While the gearheads who hang out here might vary in what their favourite gear-lube is , I think most would agree totally.

I see 2 major problems with many consumers today. Most have never wrenched on anything, and have little idea how their toaster works, let alone a transmission. The second is time frame - a lot of vehicles are on a short term lease - so any "down the road" problems will be somebody else's.

I'm not a fan of lifetime fill, for a few reasons, many of which you've covered.

Rgds, D.

 

[DeereMann]

Heck, many consumers today are too enthralled with their communication devices to connect to the real world anymore.

Communications devices are great, as long as one isn't fanatically obsessed with them to the exclusion of anything else. I raised my kids to know the difference & be able to do a variety of things. They are amazed at their cohorts absentmindedness.

Anyway, if we can help a few others take care of their equipment to their own benefit also, it is a good thing!