Synthetic Oil

[zak]

I got my O2 ES protege at 28k and i was wondering if at my next oil change it would be alright to switch to synthetic oil. If so, what are the benefits of using synthetic oil? I've heard it's good for the engine but I really dont know what is does. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[pdhaudio83]

if you are going to be staying stock, engine wise, it really won't make TOO much of a difference for you, unless you do a lot of city driving or high revs. Make sure you're ok with paying $5/qt...

[Protege52003]

you can get longer intervals between changes to even out the extra cost of the oil.....i use amsoil and use to use mobile 1.....i do a lot of city driving and use the upper RPM range......

[manofmacg3]

My first oil change I went right to synth oil. As far as benifits go, all I've really noticed is a slightly smoother running engine. And from hear say, all I know is it is suppost to help on in the long run.
Anywho... bout switching at 28K (in response to zak). I'm sure its fine.

[Focus]

Make sure you're ok with paying $5/qt...
I wish it were that cheap. Oil here is costing me $17.00 / litre CDN.

[DrummerJim50]

I used to run Amsoil but now I've got Redline.....used synthetics since the car was new and I think it runs smoother but other than that I can't tell. I've tried to compare Mobil 1, Redline, and Amsoil but haven't been able to find too much information but here's what I did find--ASTM oil test reports at http://www.iomvoxpop.com/. I ordered tests for Amsoil 0W30, Redline 5W30, and Mobil1 5W30. Found that Amsoil's supposedly renound oil has a tendency to gel up so I switched to Redline.

[zak]

Thanks for all the great info. Redline seems to be a good bet, I've heard alot about it. So after switching to synthetic oil how long should I go before another oil change, or is it still a good idea to just change every 3k?

[Focus]

You may want to check out Motul as well

http://www.motul.com

[manofmacg3]

Thanks for all the great info. Redline seems to be a good bet, I've heard alot about it. So after switching to synthetic oil how long should I go before another oil change, or is it still a good idea to just change every 3k?

I change mine every 3k or 3 months just to play it safe. No need for me to try to squeeze any extra milage out of it and potentialaly damage something. I think mazda recommends every 3,500... I've just always been in the habit of 3K.

[zak]

Yea, I hear that. Playing it safe and swithching every three months sounds like a good idea to me.

Motul oil sounds good to. Any body have any experience using it?

[DrummerJim50]

I don't know about you guys but my owner's manual says to change the oil every 5 mo/5,000 miles for "heavy duty" conditions (90% of drivers) and every 7,500 miles for "light conditions". I change mine no earlier than 5,000 mile intervals. I used to run Amsoil and would let it get up to 7,500 (about 6 months for me) and periodically sent the oil in to be tested. Now I run Redline and change it every 6-7k miles.

Haven't heard much about Motul oil......good brake fluid though. I would just stick with the bigger oil companies to be safe....they have the most experience and will most likely make better oil because of it. It's hard to find good comparitive test that actually says what oil is best.

[tonkabui]

i just changed mobil 1 synthetic out at 5000 miles, and let me tell you, i'm NEVER doing that again! the oil that came out was thick, black, and looked like thoroughly used dino oil. when i changed it out at 3K miles, it still looked relatively good. i'm going back to 3K mile intervals. it's not even $30 per change (with filter), and it's only once every three months, so it's cheap insurance for the longevity of the engine.

[proman]

i think every 3000 oil change is not neccessary. with synthetics you're suppose to be able to go longer intervals but i think 5k is a good time to change it. I've let it go to 7500 a few times as well but if you think about it, you will have junk floating in your motor oil the whole 7500 miles until your next oil change. not worth it IMO.

[zak]

Yea, 3000 it is. It's not that big of a hassle and i like knowing i'm taking good care of the engine.

Any body ever have any bad experinces with redline or know how much it costs?

[DrummerJim50]

I've never heard of anyone having a problem with Redline, and I've had no problems. At $8 a quart, the best isn't cheap. Advance Auto Parts carries it now.

[cherry cola]

In my Mercedes C230 I used Royal Purple. I changed it every 10,000 and it looks almost brand new once it was siphoned out. You have to suck the oil out on those cars with a special pump. Anyhow, we're talking apples and kiwi's now.. completely different cars. In the protege I just use .88 cent Walmart oil as the car sucks balls.

[novAKs47]

Don't forget the happy compromise : Castrol Syntec Blend.

[Focus]

Is Motul hard to get in the U.S.A ?

[zak]

I don't know, i wonder that myself, i've never seen it in any stores.

[cherry cola]

Mobile One is ok. Redline, AmsOil, and Royal Purple are better though.

[zak]

I've heard alot about royal purple to any body know if its any good?
How does synthetic oil stand up to cold weather, i live in virginia where it dosent get to chilly, but we still have some pretty cold days, how would synthetic compare to regular oil in cold weather?

[zak]

any body out there?

[DrummerJim50]

Not sure about Royal Purple.
Synthetic may or may not do better in cold weather. Synthetic oil is "smoother" than regular oil so I would think it would protect better when the engine is warm or cold. Starting viscosities typically are the same as other non-synthetic oils. Besides starting viscosities, I've never seen any published numbers for cold operation -- and that makes sense because the oil warms up a few minutes after the engine is started.

[zak]

yeah, that sounds right, i mean why wouldent synthetic oil do good in the cold, works well everywhere else.

thanks for the info, really helped alot.