Motor oil...or snake oil?

[Plaid Adder]

OK, so I want the opinions of people who actually know something about cars: When you go to JiffyLube and they try to upsell you the super-expensive synthetic oil, is there any real reason to go for it? If you're going to change your oil once every 3000 miles anyway, does it really matter what kind of oil you have? I don't mind paying a little extra if it will actually protect my car better, but I object to lining JiffyLube's pockets just because they play on my insecurities.

How about it, motor oil gurus? Incidentally I'm driving a plain old 2005 Subaru Outback with no fancy augmentations, so I don't need anything that's designed for Porsche turbo rocket engines or whatever.

Thanks,

The Plaid Adder

[ret5hd]

1. i think it has been demonstrated that the synthetic oil is better...

you get better mileage and you DONT have to change it every 3000 miles (even if using regular oil, every 4000-5000 miles is o.k. if you arent hot rodding around, at least according to click and clack on npr).

it is expensive tho.

[GOPisEvil]

2. More than you ever wanted to know.

http://www.mkiv.com/techarticles/oil/oil.htm

There is an automotive enthusiast DU group. Maybe a cross-posting there will help, too.

[ret5hd]

5. great info. (nt)

[Freebird12004]

9. Thanks for the link

I have put synthetic oil in my Chevy Tracker since is was new and I was beginning to wonder if I did the right thing because the gasket is starting to show signs of leaking.

[Spider Jerusalem]

3. Well, synthetic oil isn't petroleum-based.

It has better lubrication tendencies at higher temperatures and resistance to thinckening at lower temperatures due to the uniformity of its molecular structure as compared to petroleum-based oils (this is known as "viscosity retention). And you can go 5000 miles between oil changes with synthetic.

[wideopen]

4. Check out amsoil

They where the first to come out w/synthetic oils. I use there products in all my equipment and can really tell a difference.They cost more but really do protect better.I was a 3000 mile changer until I started w/them about 2 years ago, now I change oil every 7000 and feel much better knowing I'm consuming less than half as much as I was. If you stick w/the 3000 plan it's a waste of money.

[whathappened]

6. oil

just check owners manual and make sure it supports the use of this oil , if so go for it , it is a great oil

[derby378]

7. The reverse happened to me at my last oil change

I wanted synthetic, and they gave me regular motor oil. Wah! It'll be fine for now, but next time around I better get some Mobil 1, Castrol Syntec, or Royal Purple in my crankcase or I'll be somewhat pissed.

[DelawareValleyDem]

8. Check your owners manual

and if you still have any questions, call up Subaru's customer service line. It's not needed for every car - never have used synthetic and my last vehicle had 250,000 miles when I got rid of it and the engine was still in good shape.

[radwriter0555]

10. AND the 3000 mile change is a MYTH invented by the oil cos. A car run

gently can be changed every 10K, according to MY mechanic and thousands of others.

I NEVER let a fast oil change place touch my cars. They've done more to ruin good cars than anyone else.

Finding a top mechanic is almost as impossible as finding a good dentist.

[DelawareValleyDem]

12. I've heard a couple of fast oil change horror stories

Drain plugs and filters not being tightened enough and all oil lost.

[wideopen]

14. 3000 mile myth--

This is a perfect example of collusion between the oil industry and car co's. 10k miles still seems like a lot to me w/regular oil, but I'm at 7k with amsoil right now and stretching it 1k more every oil change. I don't let anyone change my oil,I do it myself (15 min.),takes less time than waiting in line and the kids learn about main. I had a MUCH easier time finding a dentist,real mechanics are a dying breed,now they are all just part swappers.

[midnight armadillo]

11. Go to BOB IS THE OIL GUY

www.bobistheoilguy.com

It's the Internet home for oil and lubrication nuts. You will find all of your answers there.

In short: yes, synthetic is better in that it can be made to flow better at low temperatures (0w-30 oil, for example), resist high temperatures better, retain its viscosity (i.e. not thin out), and last longer for longer oil change intervals.

If you're still going to change your oil every 3000 miles, don't bother with synthetic. You should do a used oil analysis on your oil if you're going to switch to synthetic and extend the oil change interval to 5000, 8000, or more miles.

Not all synthetics are created equal - Castrol, HAvoline, and many other 'synthetics' are not true synthetics. Mobil 1, Amsoil, Redline, Royal Purple, and some others are truly synthetic, meaning the base oil was synthesized and not refined from crude. The Bob is the Oil Guy forum will answer anyand all questions you may have.

I use Mobil 1 0w-40 (soon to switch to Schaeffer's Supreme 9000 5w-40) in my Saab 9-5 (turbo charged engine). My Subaru is running Amsoil 10w-30. thanks to BITOG, I know that the Subaru is super-easy on oils and will run well on just about anything and I won't bother with the $6/qt Amsoil in that car again.

[sendero]

13. I use Mobil-1..

... in my cars. I don't change every 3,000 though, I go more like 6,000 to 8,000. Tests show without a doubt that synthetic oils practically eliminate internal engine wear.

Basically, syntheic oil never "wears out" like petroleum based oils do, but all crankcase oil gets dirty over time - from dirt that gets past your air filter and combustion by-products like carbon.

Someday, someone will invent a serious filtration system and changing oil will be something you do every 50,000 miles :)

[wideopen]

15. They already have

I know I keep saying amsoil, but if you look at the info the conclusion seems apparent.They have a remote mount dual filter sytem that goes 25k between changes,and offer a preluber option that pretty much eliminates dry start-ups. Seems like overkill if you change cars every 100k though.