Why do you use Synthetic Oil?

[RVCrawford]

I have been using Mobil 1 in all of my vehicles with good results for the last ~10 years.

I use it for the following three reasons:

1. Added protection at high temperatures (I live near Phoenix)

2. Extended drain interval (I used to change at 3000 now run to 5000)

3. Longer engine life (I keep my vehicles well over 100,000 miles)



Now I'm wondering if I should use synthetic in my CTD as it seem my arguments for doing so are gone.

1. I use the truck as a daily driver and run it empty 90% of the time so the engine isn't working very hard.

2. The 'B' schedule is already at 6000 mile change interval and I would be afraid to exceed that.

3. The engine should long outlast the rest of the truck.



Why do you use Synthetic? Am I missing something?



Roger

 

[Jeremiah]

Reasons?

There are no reasons other than the ones you gave. People can argue all day long about why they DON'T use synthetic (cost, etc. ). It's pretty much a matter of personal preference. Engines have run a millions miles on regular oil; they've run a million miles on synthetic. Do the math and don't use it unless the extended drain intervals are long enough to make it worth while.

 

[John - K5AWO]

And if you install a by-pass oil filter for an average price of $150 with shipping, you can run petro oil for super extended drain intervals.



Just change the by-filter and top off with new oil. Many documented records of trucks from small to big rigs going a million miles without a 100% oil change ever.



Gary started a by-pass oil filter thread that gives all the "how to" and many options were posted.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I run synthetics because:



• Changing oil isn't my favorite activity and I can run longer drain intervals.

• Because I run longer drain intervals it gives me an excuse to sample oil and really see how my engine is doing.

• Not only will my engine still run at 500,000 miles but it should still be running great. . . if I do get that far.

• Extra protecton because I'm running higher horsepower.





Vaughn

 

[amsoilman]

"This article appeared in the National Oil & Lube News, October 2002 Measure for Measure"

The 6th Annual Consumer Attitude Study, June 2002 Aftermarket Business, produced some interesting measurements.



When asked what the top three reasons consumers purchased a specific oil, 26% said they prefer synthetic or synthetic blend. This is huge. I remember the 1980’s when the average motorist usually did not even know what a synthetic oil was. Now, we have nearly a quarter of all motorists in this survey seeking it.



In the same survey, 44% made their oil selection choice based on recommendations by others, including professional mechanic (18%), personnel at place where purchased (14%), family or friends (12%) or from amateur mechanic (4%). In short, the numbers show that we have influence.



Here were some additional numbers from those who preferred synthetic or synthetic blend oil. When asked why they prefer synthetic or synthetic blends, 54% said better performance. 31% said excellent value, even at a higher price. 23% choose synthetic for the reduced engine wear. 15% noted that less frequent oil changes were one of the reasons they liked the new high tech oils. 23% said that these oils were recommended to them by a dealer or mechanic. (Respondents were permitted to check more than one answer. )



As for me, I use it for:

1. Better lubrication, less friction. (Engine oil runs cooler)

2. Higher heat protection, reduced oil consumption (less volitile)

3. Easier cold starting (quicker oil pressure buildup when cold=less wear)

4. Improved performance (no deposits around piston ring grooves)

5. Fuel economy (due to less friction)

6. extended oil drain intervals



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[thejeepdude]

As for me, I use it for:

1. Better lubrication, less friction. (Engine oil runs cooler)

2. Higher heat protection, reduced oil consumption (less volitile)

3. Easier cold starting (quicker oil pressure buildup when cold=less wear)

4. Improved performance (no deposits around piston ring grooves)

5. Fuel economy (due to less friction)

6. extended oil drain intervals



Wayne

amsoilman

you forgot #7, wayne... "because i sell it"

 

[amsoilman]

Yes, I do sell it. But *if* I did'nt sell it, I would certainly use it!

 

[thejeepdude]

Yes, I do sell it. But *if* I did'nt sell it, I would certainly use it!

Just giving you a hard time. Personally, given the fact that I have seen CTD's go for 1,000,000 miles plus on regular dino oil, I just stick with that. I run synthetic in the gassers, though. I think one of the most important benefits of synthetic oil is it's resistance to breaking down due to contaminants generated in a gasoline motor that just aren't as severe in the diesel. Is syntheic better? Yes, I would say without a doubt! However, for me it boils down to cost benefit... and by the time I have 500K on my truck, I won't care if the engine is wearing out, because the rest of the truck will be shot anyways. Plus, $60+ per oil change is a lot of dough when I can do it for under $20 with some of the highest quality dino oil around, that meets all of Cummins' recommendations. As they say, to each their own.

 

[Jeremiah]

As for me, I use it for:

1. Better lubrication, less friction. (Engine oil runs cooler)

2. Higher heat protection, reduced oil consumption (less volitile)

3. Easier cold starting (quicker oil pressure buildup when cold=less wear)

4. Improved performance (no deposits around piston ring grooves)

5. Fuel economy (due to less friction)

6. extended oil drain intervals



Wayne

amsoilman

Hi, Wayne, I agree with everything you said - and I use synthetic - but still think engines running 400,000 to a million miles or more on regular oil beg the question. That's why I said it's not worth it unless the driver does the math and uses extended drain. And bypass filtration and oil analysis plays a role too, obviously, but then you've got to figure in those costs too.



BTW, your truck is a carbon copy of mine except mine is a 3500 SRW. How do you like the Mopar satellite radio and is it installed in the dash?

 

[amsoilman]

Even without a by-pass system, amsoil's recommendation is 2 times the "Normal" drain interval, so one could go at least 15,000 on a single change with the Cummins/Dodge application. Even at FULL RETAIL, that is less than $65. 00 plus a filter.

In my case, I have 35,000 on my truck and I have chaged filters once, and had the oil analyzed twice for less than $50. 00. The oil is still good as per last oil analysis.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Jeremiah]

Mopar satellite radio?

 

[Bill Weber]

Synthetic 30W (pick your own weight) is all 30w. Regular oil is a mixture of weights that average 30W.

My 97 2500 dripped oil from the breather tube. I switched to synthetic - no more drip.

My 2004 2500 had an oily smell from the breather after warming up. Switched to synthetic - no smell or fumes.

Regular oil "boiles off" the lighter portions of the oil as it heats up. Synthetic has no lighter portions. It's all the same. Just an example: you could mix 90W with some diesel and blend to 30W. Want to use it?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Just giving you a hard time. Personally, given the fact that I have seen CTD's go for 1,000,000 miles plus on regular dino oil, I just stick with that.

Just a thought, most of those 1-million mile Rams had considerably less HP and were unbombed and never saw the EGTs most of us do, meaning considerably lower internal stresses.



For stock HP guys living in reasonable climates dino will work just great. BOMBed guys, those living in more extreme climates or who rack up a lot of mileage or tow a lot, I believe synthetics are worthwhile for this group.



Vaughn

 

[amsoilman]

BTW, your truck is a carbon copy of mine except mine is a 3500 SRW. How do you like the Mopar satellite radio and is it installed in the dash?

I like the satelite radio very much, and yes it is built in to the dash, but the satelite receiver is under the dash, where you do not see it. The readout is on the radio in the dash. HOpe you like your truck as well as I like mine!



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[mhenon]

Synthetic

I noticed much easier starting in cold weather when I switched over to Mobil Delvac 1 (plug!). My mileage increased about 1mpg too. But, the biggest difference was the rig ran cooler while towing. That last reason alone is enough for me.

I'll stay with synthetics!



Mike

 

[Jeremiah]

HOpe you like your truck as well as I like mine!



Wayne

amsoilman

Love the truck, although I was disappointed yesterday when I limped in to the dealer w/a u-joint gone bad. Only 43,000 miles. From posts I've been reading it is a common problem for them to go out about now.

 

[Ralph Wood]

And if you install a by-pass oil filter for an average price of $150 with shipping, you can run petro oil for super extended drain intervals. .

I gave up allowing oil to get dirty, wear and fouling the engine then changing it in 1963. Now I am told that if I use synthetic oil I can go farther between changes. That is very reassuring. I'm not an expert on oils but they all seem to work for me. I've sold three brands of submicronic bypass filters over the last 40 years so you could say I am very biased toward clean oil.

Forty years ago we didn't use multi grade oils in diesel engines. It wasn't a good idea to use it in gassers for extended drain intevals. We use Delo 400 15-40 in the big Cummins engines and usually trade the trucks off at two millinon miles. It could be that the engines would last longer with synthetic oil. I'll never know. It took me 20 years to put 240 thousand miles on my car. I drive the one ton Ford diesel only when I have to.



Ralph

 

[LightmanE300]

Aside from the extended drain intervals that I enjoy, one of the reasons I use synthetic that I'm not sure I saw mentioned was the fact that it's far more resistant to coking up on the turbo when the engine is shut down hot. I know most of us try to wait for it to cool down when we can but sometimes ya just gotta go!

 

[Jeremiah]

Aside from the extended drain intervals that I enjoy, one of the reasons I use synthetic that I'm not sure I saw mentioned was the fact that it's far more resistant to coking up on the turbo when the engine is shut down hot. I know most of us try to wait for it to cool down when we can but sometimes ya just gotta go!

Now that's a good pernt, as they would say over in Joisey.

 

[Jeremiah]

Coking the turbo

Aside from the extended drain intervals that I enjoy, one of the reasons I use synthetic that I'm not sure I saw mentioned was the fact that it's far more resistant to coking up on the turbo when the engine is shut down hot. QUOTE]



Now that's a good pernt, as they would say over in Joisey.