synthetic oil

[RChamberlain]

i'm at 16,000 miles on the truck. My question, is switching to synthetic oil worth? why and why not thanks for your help.

 

[amsoilman]

i'm at 16,000 miles on the truck. My question, is switching to synthetic oil worth? why and why not thanks for your help.

In plain English, synthetic lubricants are designed to handle temperature extremes, especially heat. They reduce frictional heat and transfer heat away from critical components faster. They also resist heat breakdown much better than petroleum-based lubes.



In scientific terms, synthetic lubes have higher lubricity and higher thermal conductivity.

Conventional lubricants rely mainly on additives for their performance. Their petroleum base fluids are physically separated from crude oil during refining.



Petroleum base fluids contain impurities of varying types and amounts (wax crystals and sulfur compounds, etc. ). These impurities make the lubricant less stable, providing molecular "targets" where heat and chemical contaminants can "attack".



IS it worth it? This is a question that has many answers. For my money, I believe they are worth it, but make sure you choose a high quality one.





Wayne

amsoilman

 

[RPLummer]

Amsoil in everything we have. It pays for it's self by longer change intervals. Plus in the winter, when I'm at work and can't plug my truck in, start ups are effortless. My Dad has it in his 1990 CTD with 180,000 miles on it, gets it analyzed, and hasn't changed it in approx. 4 years. This is a farm truck to the bone, no easy miles on it. All but one tractor also has it. To us, well worth it.

 

[jimnance]

No knock on synthetics, they do a great job. However, new API oil specs were specified for the new diesels to meet higher soot levels resulting from emissions requirements. I believe, but am not certain, that the new spec is CI-4. Someone here please correct me if on wrong on the designation for the new spec.



I'd be certain that whatever synthetic you may choose meets the new spec.



There is ongoing debate as to whether the value of using synthetics offsets their higher cost. I don't want to start the oil wars so I won't go there. Just make sure that the oil you chose meets the spec called for in your owners manual.

 

[amsoilman]

No knock on synthetics, they do a great job. However, new API oil specs were specified for the new diesels to meet higher soot levels resulting from emissions requirements. I believe, but am not certain, that the new spec is CI-4. Someone here please correct me if on wrong on the designation for the new spec.



I'd be certain that whatever synthetic you may choose meets the new spec.



There is ongoing debate as to whether the value of using synthetics offsets their higher cost. I don't want to start the oil wars so I won't go there. Just make sure that the oil you chose meets the spec called for in your owners manual.

I think you are referring to API Oil Spec CH-4 PLUS for Diesels. This spec is supposed to help suspend Soot in the oil so it does not aglomerate as easily. It is kind of a stop gap spec until the newer spec'd oils come out for the 2007 engines.





Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Forrest]

The one & only synthetic -vs- std oil test I ran was on a 79 VW Rabbit, 4 speed. My commute cycle got a consistent 30mpg. Changed to Mobil 1, 32mpg. Changed back, 30mpg. Stayed with Mobil 1 @ 32mpg.



Kinda figured it was due to the reduced friction, coupled with the 4 speed manual transmission, i. e. no O. D. Was buzzing pretty good @ speed.

 

[RChamberlain]

thanks for the replys

 

[BigGunZ]

Personally, I believe conventional oils to be very good BUT, synthethics are superior at certain things. Every jet aircraft in the sky is full of synthetic oil for a reason.

 

[fkovalski]

What about the oil change intervals? Does one fully change oil at 3K (or 5, 7 10K... whatever) and oil filter? does the extra cost justify this? Or does one ad a bypass filter system and go for extended time (milage) intervals? If one were to change oil/ filter often it may get costly. What is synth oil going for?



I change oil/ filter every 4K or so with Fleetgaurd and Delvac.

 

[JFaughn]

I got Amsoil a dual by pass filter system cheap so with that I have no plans for a near future oil change, the next thing is I've being hearing for years about military and utilty running generators and just changing filters anybody no more on this.

 

[nickleinonen]

What about the oil change intervals? Does one fully change oil at 3K (or 5, 7 10K... whatever) and oil filter?

well, with the amount of driving i do, i do my oil changes 2 times a year [spring & fall] and the oil ends up getting anywhere between 10000km to 15000km on it between changes. now if i drove more, i would run 15,000km/9300miles change intervals instead of time based intervals

 

[JasonCzerak]

I run with 5,000 mile changes for oil, filter, fuel filter, and durning the summer, air filter (depending on how black that gets). I'm a wee-bit aggressive with the diesel peddle. I figure getting as much soot out as possible is good with an oil change with my habbits. 50/50 city highway I guess too.



I'm sure I'll run 10,000 or maybe 15,000 intervals with a by-pass setup.

 

[mpwalker]

I always used Mobil One in everything that had an engine, however after buying the 2005 Cummins wanted to see what Cummins recommended and shipped in the engines new. Found out at their web site that they only have endorsed, tested and recommend Vaoline Premium Blue for the diesel engine and that is what is in them when they are shipped from the factory. Have been using it for the entire 36,000 plus miles on the truck while pulling a heavy 5iver as fulltime RVer and am very happy with it, change my oil every 5,000 to 6,000 miles including filter without any problem, truck has never used any oil between changes, very little smoke and a lot cheaper than Mobil One, so think I will stick with it. Plus from time to time it is on sale at Napa and got it last time for less than $10. 00 per gallon. Because I am pulling a heavy load all the time feel, safer changing my oil often so the price of the oil keeps the cost down and figure if it is good enough for Cummins it is good enough for me. You cannot go wrong with any of the better oil's the question is do you need it or want it.

 

[MKinner]

I run Amsoil and love it. Just got my first results back after 10,000 miles and said it was good to go. That is with my bypass filter installed. I am very impressed with Amsoil and the additives they use and will continue to use them. The only reason i changed the oil at 10,000 miles was because they came out with a new version of their 15W40. Awsome stuff and i don't use a drop!

 

[dieselpilot1969]

I use 2 gallons of delvac 1300 and 1 gallon of truck & suv 5w 40 and put that in for a blend. Has worked great for over 50k.

 

[BHolm]

I use 2 gallons of delvac 1300 and 1 gallon of truck & suv 5w 40 and put that in for a blend. Has worked great for over 50k.

No flame intended but that is a dangerous game in my book. Sure they claim to be compatible but anybody that really knows oil would reccomend against mixing oils like that. Each oil has an additive package that is different. Now you are mixing those and the consequences may be dire. So far so good but why not just pick one oil and run it? You certainly do not need to mix them. I have run 15-40 Rotella in my diesels for years, they sit outside all winter and never fail to start easily, even at -20*F. Its your truck but, I don't see any benefit to mixing, just a bunch of potential problems.

 

[amsoilman]

No flame intended but that is a dangerous game in my book. Sure they claim to be compatible but anybody that really knows oil would reccomend against mixing oils like that. Each oil has an additive package that is different. Now you are mixing those and the consequences may be dire. So far so good but why not just pick one oil and run it? You certainly do not need to mix them. I have run 15-40 Rotella in my diesels for years, they sit outside all winter and never fail to start easily, even at -20*F. Its your truck but, I don't see any benefit to mixing, just a bunch of potential problems.

I TOTALY AGREE!

 

[klenger]

How to spend most of the cost of 100% synthetic oil change and not get the benefits.

I use 2 gallons of delvac 1300 and 1 gallon of truck & suv 5w 40 and put that in for a blend. Has worked great for over 50k.

 

[fkovalski]

Scenarios for use...?

Forgive me my heritage, but help me out here: IF ONE USES SYNTHETIC can they use one of the following for a method of use?



A)…they can change oil AND filter at a set interval (3K, 5K whatever…)



B)…use a bypass oil filtration system and change oil at an extended interval (100K…. whatever)…but does one change the filter at an earlier interval?



C)…use synthetic oil with stock filtration- change filter at set interval (3K, 5K…what ever) AND add additional quart of synthetic?



If I were to switch to synthetic:

Scenario “A” would not be cost effective.



Scenario “B” would be ideal, but I do not have the money or time to install a bypass right now… but what about filter changes? Do filters last as long as the oil running through it?



Scenario “C”… is this methodology recommended?



Thanx,

-frank.

 

[BHolm]

Why is "A" not an option? Consider this, I change(oil and filter) Rotella(dino) every 5k miles in my work trucks. Those trucks spend most of their lives towing big loads. On my personal truck that does light towing fairly often and heavy towing a couple times a year I was running Amsoil at 10k mile intervals. The costs are about the same and the hope is that the synthetic is providing lubrication benefits to boot. Now if you pay someone labor on this, you only pay that half as often adding some additional value to the synthetic.



The best way is to go is the bypass. I don't care much for the change the filter and add a quart of oil method, though folks do it. With the bypass, and the knowledge that it is keeping the oil REALLY clean, I would do filters and not oil, but not with just the stock filter.