Is synthetic oil worth it?

[soon2bmomof3]

The "Building a Garage on Someone Else's Land" thread got me thinking about my SUV.

My 2010 Pilot just recently got it's 2nd oil change. The first oil change was complimentary from the dealership. The second one, I took it to the local car shop that was next door to the car wash. A regular oil change is $29.99, synthetic was $69.99. They said it would last longer, but what do I know...

[Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ]

I would check the owner's manual. There must be a section on oil changes and the grade to use, and it may also have recommendations on synthetics.
I'd follow what ever it said in the manual.

[Taxman10]

I use regular oil, but my car burns about quart every 6 weeks or so. I wouldn't want to put synthetic in, just to burn it out. But maybe the synthetic would actually help?? IDK?

[schildi]

it's worth it for some cars, for example those with a turbo. It's actually kind of required there, as Dino oil may boil and coke up, seizing the engine (sludge).
Not sure about a Honda Pilot. As SF said, have a look at the manual, and maybe search a Honda Pilot forum about any possible sludge issues.

[illinicheme]

Feb 14, 2011 16:56:59 GMT -5 Taxman10 said:

I use regular oil, but my car burns about quart every 6 weeks or so. I wouldn't want to put synthetic in, just to burn it out. But maybe the synthetic would actually help?? IDK?

Do you have an Audi?

[Taxman10]

2002 Nissan altima w/ 3.5 V6 and 130k miles. It's been burning for a while - i can't even remember it not burning??

[SVT]

It's supposed make your engine run a little better/smoother. I use synthetic in my car. Some of the high performance vehicles from the factory come with synthetic oil.

[domeasingold]

Hell yes!

[verrip1]

I'll be damned if I'd put synthetic in my old truck whose current engine has 150K on it.

[domeasingold]

In that case you need vasoline.

[verrip1]

Hmmmm. If I buy it from Mid, I wonder if he'll give me the bulk discount?

[robbase]

I do synthetic but I double the time for my oil changes so the cost just about evens out

[schildi]

I do synthetic on both my truck and my wife's car (which actually really needs it), but I buy the oil on sale only (and then buy enough for a couple oil changes) and do the oil changes myself, so in the end it still only costs $25 - $30 per change, about the same that one of those "bad places" charge for an oil change with Dino oil.

[doxieluvr]

I would use synthetic, but once you switch it over you have to stick with synthetic.

[schildi]

Feb 14, 2011 20:45:59 GMT -5 doxieluvr said:

I would use synthetic, but once you switch it over you have to stick with synthetic.

You can switch between synthetic and dino, both ways. It's one of those myths going around. Unless your car requires synthetic, then don't switch.

[runewell]

I don't, no need to. I change it myself every six months in April and October after about 6,000 miles of use.

[tloonya]

We've started to use it but should i be affraid that my car can get high cholesterol?

[runewell]

You should use canola oil I hear it's the healthiest

[soon2bmomof3]

You should use canola oil I hear it's the healthiest

I thought EVVOO was healthier than canola. Or Grapeseed Oil.

[motherto2]

My stepfather, a car junkie from way back, convinced me to switch to synthetic. You only have to change it once a year unless you put high mileage on your car.

[dcmetrocrab]

I wouldn't bother with it unless your manual specifically called for it. Yes, it does last longer, so it may also average out to be around the same. However, how much longer it lasts depends on your car, driving habits and climate.

[TD2K]

Subaru has now required synthetic oil for their new turbocharged engines and recommend it for older engines. The price is tough to swallow though and they have not extended the recommended oil change interval from 3700 miles.

[schildi]

Feb 15, 2011 22:54:05 GMT -5 TD2K said:

Subaru has now required synthetic oil for their new turbocharged engines and recommend it for older engines. The price is tough to swallow though and they have not extended the recommended oil change interval from 3700 miles.

Yeah, TD, the price may be tough to swallow, but you better believe them and use synthetic. Those turbocharged engines need it.
Funny thing with the manual for my wifes Passat (also turbocharged): it nowhere mentions the word "synthetic". But it does state to only, and really only use 5W-40 oil, and 5W-40 oil does only come in synthetic. There is a lawsuit going on that made VW extend the engine warranty to 10 years because of possible sludge issues, but only if nothing but synthetic oil was used, and you did not go over the recommended oil change interval by more than 20% ever ....

[The J]

I use valvoline max life, which is a synthetic blend. I've found that it helps slow the leaks.

[RoadToRiches]

My car requires synthetic. I use it.

I also used synthetic in my motorcycle when I had it.

I wouldn't use anything else.

Also keep in mind, for example, Full Synthetic from WalMart lets say Castrol is different thing that Full Synthetic Castrol from AutoZone. A LOT different.

[soon2bmomof3]

The price is tough to swallow though and they have not extended the recommended oil change interval from 3700 miles.


I only changed my oil when the Oil Life was down to 10% and the wrench light turned on. It had about 10,500 when I changed it last, so it lasted a little over 5,000 miles for both oil changes.

They still put a stick on the windshield, but I haven't looked it at it to see when they recommended another change.

[schildi]

Feb 16, 2011 11:50:38 GMT -5 RoadToRiches said:

Also keep in mind, for example, Full Synthetic from WalMart lets say Castrol is different thing that Full Synthetic Castrol from AutoZone. A LOT different.

Are you saying that the exact same oil is different whether it's from Walmart or from AutoZone? Can you back that up?
Or are you saying that the Castrol Syntec 10W30 from AutoZone is different than the Castrol Syntec 5W40 from Walmart? That would at least make sense, but is kinda obvious ...

[SVT]

I've heard rumors that Walmart gets a different (cheaper) formulation of oil.

[runewell]

Feb 16, 2011 17:15:46 GMT -5 @patstab said:

We seldom have any engine problems. And we will change the transmission and filter on the motorhome more often then 30000 miles, likely will save a transmission. 30000 for either truck and the car, very cheap car "insurance", believe me.

Well if your transmission is poorly made, no amount of oil changes is going to save it. 3,000-mile interval oil changes aren't meaningfully better than 6,000-mile interval changes (Consumer Reports tested this)

[schildi]

Feb 16, 2011 16:55:33 GMT -5 SVT said:

I've heard rumors that Walmart gets a different (cheaper) formulation of oil.

I would think that they'd be required to show that on the label in some way. It would not seem right to sell two different products in the same packaging. Until somebody can show me that difference on the label I'd be careful believing those rumors.
Electronic manufacturers do a similar thing with big box retailers, but there is a clear differentiation in the products model number. Things like the remote of a TV with not all the same functions, etc. But it's listed on the box as well. I think this is mainly done for stores like best buy to not have to price match (not identical items, even though the difference is really really minor).