theres a difference betweet switching to synthetic at 50k and 130k..

I switched my LS wagon at 110k, no leaks, no noise at cold start ups, runs better and gets 2 mpg more.

theres a difference betweet switching to synthetic at 50k and 130k..

True, but it's still worthwhile.

One of the main problems of this discussion here is generalization. For example, someone above talked about synthetic and mentioned syntec and mobil 1 on one sentence. Wait a moment, syntec is group III pseudosynthetic and mobil 1 is group IV true synthetic. There are also group V synthetics. Different chemistries and different seal swelling characteristics.

 

Also, above, people rave how "high mileage" synthetic blend oils are great improvements over "regular" oils. Some of the improvements could be traced to the higher weight of those oils which are designed to decrease oil consumption and are really heavy 30 oils as opossed to most oils which are low 30 to conserve fuel (like mobil 1). It is my understanding that subaru engines do better with heavy 30 or 40 oils.

 

People using very thin XW-30 mobile 1 oil should be advised that this oil has low HTHS and may not provide optimal protection under severe load and temp. My manual for 2000 legacy specifically states about using 20W50, 20W40, 15W50, or streight 30 or 40 in high temp, high load situations.

 

Also, if you study enough used oil analysis (BITOG is a good source for start), you see that synthetic oils do not necessarily provide less engine wear than petroleum oils.

 

The only reason I use "synthetic" group III rotella 5W40 (SL/CH-4) in my car ($12 a gallon at Walmart) because there is no shear-stable dino weight HDEO in this viscosity. No leaks to report with this oil at 50,000.

Let's face it, switching to synthetic in any point of a car's life will make your life a misery. Your neighbors won't talk to you anymore, the bank will close your account, your parents will disown you, and the car will explode within a few days.

HAHA Setright!

 

More mere factual information for you all to digest:

 

You all know the world's highest mileage car? The 66 Volvo P1800? Guy (retired school teacher) bought it brand-new in 1966 on a Friday and that very Sunday took it in for its 1500-mile service? Had the engine torn down at 680k and the mechanics declared it barely broken in, and put it back together using every last original part? It hit 2 million miles while driving in Volvo's 75th Anniversary parade in New York??? Car still runs to this day, and the guy beats the world record every time he drives it?

 

That guy has never used synthetic oil at any point in that car's life.

Yep. CAR did an interview a couple of years ago. He does change oil every 3k, and presumably never canes the engine.

HAHA Setright!

 

More mere factual information for you all to digest:

 

You all know the world's highest mileage car? The 66 Volvo P1800? Guy (retired school teacher) bought it brand-new in 1966 on a Friday and that very Sunday took it in for its 1500-mile service? Had the engine torn down at 680k and the mechanics declared it barely broken in, and put it back together using every last original part? It hit 2 million miles while driving in Volvo's 75th Anniversary parade in New York??? Car still runs to this day, and the guy beats the world record every time he drives it?

 

That guy has never used synthetic oil at any point in that car's life.

I guess the engine was defective from the factory to last that long...

Here, in US, the engines are disigned to last less than that, much less...

I guess the engine was defective from the factory to last that long...

Here, in US, the engines are disigned to last less than that, much less...

true, i got over 200k on a 1990 escort gt w/ a 1.9HO , just changed the timing belt and the oil and a couple alternators..

and everyone knows how reliable the pre mazda motored escort gt's are..