Synthetic Oil

ben54 · 04-30-04, 09:37

This question is off the detailing track, but members seem very knowledgeable on general car topics, so I thought I'd ask: Is there any benefit to using a synthetic oil when oil changes are once every 3,500 miles?

To maintain my warranty, Nissan requires an oil change every 3,500 miles. I liked using synthetic (Mobil 1) in my 5.0 (15 years old) and in my Honda (12 years old), but if I'm gonna change my oil every 3,500 miles in my Nissan (6 months old) I'm considering using a regular oil instead unless there really is a benefit to synthetic besides its ability to withstand thermal breakdown over a long period of time.

LouisanaJeeper · 04-30-04, 09:53

www.bobistheoilguy.com

94BlkStang · 04-30-04, 10:15

Quote:

Originally posted by ben54
This question is off the detailing track, but members seem very knowledgeable on general car topics, so I thought I'd ask: Is there any benefit to using a synthetic oil when oil changes are once every 3,500 miles?

To maintain my warranty, Nissan requires an oil change every 3,500 miles. I liked using synthetic (Mobil 1) in my 5.0 (15 years old) and in my Honda (12 years old), but if I'm gonna change my oil every 3,500 miles in my Nissan (6 months old) I'm considering using a regular oil instead unless there really is a benefit to synthetic besides its ability to withstand thermal breakdown over a long period of time.

You will be fine using a dino based oil. I prefer Chevron as I work for a distributor, but Castrol comes very highly recommended also. I have over 100,000 miles on my Navigator and have never had a problem. Oil related problems are very rare these days as most the major brand oils are of very good quality.

ben54 · 05-01-04, 02:24

Thanks for the advice. I will probably go back to regular oil as the synthetic is 3x as much.

tom p. · 05-01-04, 04:43

I would open up the Owner's Manual and carefully review the mfr's oil recommendation for grade and required spec....you can never get in trouble, from a warranty perspective, using the oil Nissan recommends.

Lowejackson · 05-07-04, 02:25

I guess it could also depend on what are the normal driving conditions for your car.

If the journeys are mainly short and therefore the engine does not get fully warmed up, I would use synthetic. For normal ie longer distances I would use dino.

It has been a while since I last visited Bobistheoilguy but those guys are very knowledgeable

BradE · 05-07-04, 02:10

I'd go with synthetic, even if it's more money, especially if you plan on keeping this vehicle for a long time. Also, synthetic will keep the internals of the engine much cleaner, and might give you a slight mileage increase as well.

thinksnow · 05-10-04, 08:40

Quote:

Originally posted by tom p.
I would open up the Owner's Manual and carefully review the mfr's oil recommendation for grade and required spec....you can never get in trouble, from a warranty perspective, using the oil Nissan recommends.

The Honda says 7500 miles

I find it hard to adhere to that schedule, so I stay with AMSoil every 5K. Be warned that a switch to AMSoil will scare you the first time because it goes in like honey and comes out like crude. M1 is honey-->honey.

METICULOUSMAN · 05-10-04, 08:56

As long as you change your oil according to your owners manual specs you will be fine with dino or synthetic IMO.

cte500 · 05-17-04, 06:55

Quote:

Originally posted by thinksnow
The Honda says 7500 miles

I find it hard to adhere to that schedule, so I stay with AMSoil every 5K. Be warned that a switch to AMSoil will scare you the first time because it goes in like honey and comes out like crude. M1 is honey-->honey.

You think 7,500 is bad, the computer in my E55 AMG will go for 10,000 miles between oil changes

I've always split the difference and change it at 5K. Service is included w/ the car, so I have to pay for every other change. small price to pay. I think with today's cars 3K oil changes is overkill.

thinksnow · 05-17-04, 07:05

Does the E55 take a MASSIVE amount of oil like newer Bimmers? That may be one reason for the extra-long interval. The Honda takes just under 3 and a half quarts so I don't put a lot of faith in 7500 mile intervals

Quote:

Originally posted by cte500
You think 7,500 is bad, the computer in my E55 AMG will go for 10,000 miles between oil changes I've always split the difference and change it at 5K. Service is included w/ the car, so I have to pay for every other change. small price to pay. I think with today's cars 3K oil changes is overkill.

Malibu · 05-17-04, 10:41

I changed the oil in my old Explorer every 7,500 miles with dino oil (just like the manual recommended) and got 156K trouble free miles out of it before I sold it. Well, out of the engine at least. The transmission was a different story.

So I don't necessarily think that the longer intervals are bad. Of course, a lot depends on the type of driving you do. Lots of shorter trips means changing the oil sooner, although with synthetic I'd bet you could go 7,500 miles no problem even with "severe duty" driving.

Mike