Rep Power: 732

ok, let's imagine: prices for both oil change scenerious are the same. But which one will be beter.?

1) To change oil at 2.5k and then another 2.5k with REGULAR oil. Basically twice more often. (twice at 5k perioud)
OR
2) Change as usial: at 5k interval but with SYNTHETIC oil.

Which one will be better for the engine?

 
Rep Power: 732

I ran the **** outta Mobil 1 in my engine over the winter and got an oil analysis from wearcheck.ca after 7900km's. It was still fine, and probably would have lasted past 10k.

Always use synthetic, it not only flows better than dino at lower temps, and can handle high temps better. You dont lose.

I put synethetic into both my topaz's when they had around 190km's on them, not a single leak ever. One's a 2.3L 4cyl and the other's a 3.0L V6.

 
Rep Power: 732

So you think the synthetic for longer time is better, compared to the more frequent changes with regular?
But doesn't it get's dirty at 5k no matter if it 5W30 or Synthetic. but when you change it twice often (2,5 k) you take all that dirt out much more frequent?

 
Rep Power: 729

Thats a tough call. Depending on what you read and what people say are 2 different things. I have read that you only need to change your oil every 7,000-8,000kms with synthetic. But I also have talked to people who still change synthetic oil like it was conventional motor oil. Personally I run synthetic in all my cars. I change it every 4,000-5,000kms.

1989 Mustang 5.0 with 293,000kms I use Mobil 1 10w30
1994 Topaz 2.3 with 187,000kms I use Mobil 1 5w30
1965 Mustang 5.8 with 12,000 kms I use Royal Purple 10w30
(Since completion of restoration)

Again I change the oil approx every 5,000kms because I feel it's still oil after all.

Just my .05 cents worth

 
Rep Power: 724

pure synthetic mobil 1 is good for about 15,000 km regular driving

 
Rep Power: 732

Yes the oil does get dirty, in fact my Mobil 1 looked black after 7900km's, and I used a cheap oil filter (I think it was a pennzoil).

However, the oil analysis proved that the oil was fine.

 
Rep Power: 732

Quote from this website wearcheck.ca :

"Dirt, grit, airborne dust - whatever name you give it, it is ubiquitous. It is also very damaging to machinery because, if it gets into the oil, it will form a highly effective grinding paste which will cause wear rates to accelerate rapidly. "
So frequent change seems to be better?

 
Rep Power: 732

But lost of lubrication and protection properties of the oil, is very strong argument towards engine damage.

 
Rep Power: 0

If you currently have a high milleage engine, do not switch to synthetic. It will create oil leaks.

Is synthetic worth the money? That is your call. Some of you may know, some may not, but my engine (7MGTE) is one of the most prone engines to getting spun bearings/rod knock. I currently run regular dino oil (Castrol GTX), as well as many many many other 7M owners and the engines are all healthy. Mind you I am running 20W50, not your average oil viscosity. I also change my oil religiously, it won't see more than 3000kms.

It is all driver preference, but in my opinnion, unless your engine is under constant heavy stress (auto-x and the sort) there is no need for it on a daily driver.

Edit: To add some more, my engine is 16 years old and does not leak or burn one drop of oil.

 
Rep Power: 732

Neither one of my Ford engine's leaked a drop, and I'm going to get my dad to start putting Mobil 1 5w-30 in his LT1 with 183km's on it. Considering how well that engine runs (dino oil's still clean looking even after 4500kms :O ), I really dont expect it to leak.


Yes, changing the oil more frequently is pretty much always good, I mean, after 5000kms, it'll still be in very good condition. What you could do is get a better oil filter, something that catches more. I think Mobil 1 oil filters are supposed to be good.

 
Rep Power: 720

I put an aftermarket turbo kit in my honda, when I used conventional it was nothing but oil problems, burning and dripping. The second I switched over to synthetic everything was mint.