Synthetic Oil

[4DoorAccordDX]

Can you guys tell me what synthetic oil is? Why is it better than other oils and what are some need-to-knows about it? I have heard that once you start using synthetic oil you need to continue to use it. Why is this? I am asking because a friend of mine is looking to get a Lancer OZ Rally, and I called on one she is very interested in, and the guys uses synthetic oil. If you could give me some basic info I would appreciate it. Thanks guys.

-Brandon

[HondaBoy]

i'll tell you this. if you are using a conventional petrolium oil, you need to use a synthetic blend at first, then after a few oil changes start using full synthetic. something about synthetic cleans up the insides. like older engines, you can do that too, but run a risk of oil leaks. you could always use a heavier weight oil though. why its better than conventional oil is because you dont have to do oil changes as often. for example, you usually do an oil change every 3500 miles. that's reccommended anyway. with synthetic, you can usually go 7000 miles between oil changes. i'm getting my '02 accord over to synthetic. i'm using a synthetic blend right now. although synthetic is more expensive, you can save the money you'd spend on regular oil changes with not having to do it as often. i think the long term costs would be less with the synthetic. just wait for some more people to post, they can tell you more about it and why or why not to use it. as for my 3gee, i'm probley not going to go to synthetic on it. not unless i rebuild it, it has almost 112000 miles on it now. on the jetta i just bought the guy that i got it from has used synthetic in it ever since he put a new cylinder head on it. that car has over 200000 miles, but the head is new. still have to worry about leaks, which i'll be looking for.

[AZmike]

It's better because it doesn't break down as quickly so with adequate filtration it will last much longer while typically providing better protection.

This board has lots of information on sythetics, filters, etc:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php

[DeathRat]

i'll tell you this. if you are using a conventional petrolium oil, you need to use a synthetic blend at first, then after a few oil changes start using full synthetic. something about synthetic cleans up the insides. like older engines, you can do that too, but run a risk of oil leaks. you could always use a heavier weight oil though. why its better than conventional oil is because you dont have to do oil changes as often. for example, you usually do an oil change every 3500 miles. that's reccommended anyway. with synthetic, you can usually go 7000 miles between oil changes. i'm getting my '02 accord over to synthetic. i'm using a synthetic blend right now. although synthetic is more expensive, you can save the money you'd spend on regular oil changes with not having to do it as often. i think the long term costs would be less with the synthetic. just wait for some more people to post, they can tell you more about it and why or why not to use it. as for my 3gee, i'm probley not going to go to synthetic on it. not unless i rebuild it, it has almost 112000 miles on it now. on the jetta i just bought the guy that i got it from has used synthetic in it ever since he put a new cylinder head on it. that car has over 200000 miles, but the head is new. still have to worry about leaks, which i'll be looking for.

That's not entirely true......
Synthetic oil flows faster than conventional oil does. If you've got any leaks, you'll need to fix then first, as the Synthetic oil will seep past. If you do an engine flush first, then you can use full synthetic oil. It's a myth that you can extend oil changes too BTW. Synthetic oil needs to be changed just as regularly as conventional oil does, though you may "extend" it if need be without severe bad effects. Synthetic oil breaks down less than conventional oil does. Synthetic oil weathers against heat better than conventional oil does too. You do have to remember that your oil filter will still clog up just as fast with Synthetic oil as it does with conventional oil. Synthetic oil also lessens bearing wear to an engine over conventional oil, therefore engines will last longer. Synthetic oil does cost more than conventional oil, but I feel the results are worth the added expense. Note: Beware oil companies that proclaim 100,000 miles & such between oil changes if you use their product too, as that is false & not recommended. I base my comments on being a past owner of a Lube Shop & a past Amsoil Dealer.
For actual Synthetic Oil recommendations.....I would Red Line & Mobil 1. Mobil 1 being the most economical choice & easier to find.

[accordlxi2.0]

i think brand matter's too.
my job they have napa oil.
i used 5w30 but the engine was ticking loudly then had to switch to 10w30...
it somewhat ticks.
i used penzoil...no more ticks ran smoother too.....

[Moodybluesr]

Synthetic oil has a much higher detergent value to it and will clean out deposits left by conventional oils... deposits which, over time, have sealed off minute leaks in your motor. So switching over to synthetic on an old engine will usually result in leakage.

[88Accord-DX]

So switching over to synthetic on an old engine will usually result in leakage.

I do agree on that note. If you have a re-built motor and want to switch to synthetic oil, that is the time. Other than that, your wasting your time and money with all the "good points" over it. There isn't any beneficial value on a "used" motor from switching to synthetic. Once you run sythetic, you have to stick to it.

[DeathRat]

Synthetic oil has a much higher detergent value to it and will clean out deposits left by conventional oils... deposits which, over time, have sealed off minute leaks in your motor. So switching over to synthetic on an old engine will usually result in leakage.

The amount of detergents matters in what brand of oil you use. Different comanpies put in different amount & types of detergents. For example, Quaker State has the HIGHEST amount of deterents. This is why, QS oil doesn't react well with other oil brands. As for oil leakage, well....the leak had to be there before to leak, it was just less noticable due to the limited flow capabilities of conventional oils as compared to synthetic oils. Gaskets shrink over time & therefore eventually leak. Seals wear grooves in shafts & therefore oil leaks past them.

[DeathRat]

I do agree on that note. If you have a re-built motor and want to switch to synthetic oil, that is the time. Other than that, your wasting your time and money with all the "good points" over it. There isn't any beneficial value on a "used" motor from switching to synthetic. Once you run sythetic, you have to stick to it.

That is NOT TRUE.
You CAN safely switch back & forth from conventional to sythetic oil without ill effects. The difference is that you will not gain the benifits of synthetic oil if you switch back to conventional oil. I would however strongly recommend an Engine Flush whenever you DO change: Brand of Oil & Type of Oil (Syn vs Conv), as well as at least ONCE per year to help clean out the build up in your oil system galleries.

You DO get a benefit of less bearing wear from the time you switch over to synthetic oil on an used engine. Problem lies however, most bearing damage has ALREADY BEEN DONE and therefore the synthetic oil will make it seem like it (syn oil) made it happen.

[88Accord-DX]

Thanks for the up-date Deathrat. I ment what you pointed out that old conventional oil had done the bearing wear allready. Synthetic oil would be more usefull on a re-built engine from the get go.

I didn't think it was good switching from conventional oil to sythetic was good on the motor, but that is hear-say I've heard.

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