Another engine oil question...sysnthetics

[dan_mc]

Hi everyone,i'm new here and i need some clarification about oils and brands.Firstofall i have been using synthetics for years,around 13,14 years but now that we all have acces to the net we learn so much more,or do we ?
I have a 1995 BMW 318i (manual 5 sp) that has been on Mobil1 5W30 in the winter and 10W30 in the summer,for oil filters anything from Bosch,Mann and some other euro filters,for air yearly cleaned and lubed K&N.On this exellent engineered car i had nothing but good luck,it has 185.000 kilometres and never let me down once.I read Amsoil's site coments and they knock Mobil 1 big time,why ?
And here we go to my dillema,yesterday i bought a new 2004 Honda Pilot and now i wonder if Amsoils claims are any true ?,i personally don't like when companies shout how much better they are than the rest....I want to switch to a synthetic oil very soon,what kilometres would you guys recomend i switch to and what oil are you guys swearing by ?,ok how about oil filters too ?,what do you guys favor ?
Thank you all in advance.
Dan

[Roadrunner]

Dan_mc
Welcome to the forum. Most of the regulars (with a few exceptions) are away this weekend but in the meantime, you can read up on the extensive discussions that have been done on this forum pertaining to synthetics and other oils. Just type in 'synthetics' and start reading. Enjoy.

[Roadrunner]

Amsoil....a guy by the name of Rudy Hiebert? That joker has been peddling his mouth and site all over cartrackers.com for at least a year, attempting to shoot down every oil dealer in the country to try and get everyone to buy his product. As far as I'M concerned, these people are out of line using an automotive forum to peddle their wares. It is up to the forum administrators to control this attempt at free advertising, and on THIS forum it could not be more apparent.

The regulars on this forum are constantly on the look-out for posters trying to advertise, and the posters who try are "arrested" on the spot. This is a very well operated automotive forum where everyone is welcome and we all try to do our best to make the 'newbies' feel at home.  
I'm a regular here now but there are others that have been here for years! Nothing else to do, I guess. We also try to keep things light-hearted and fun.

[ovr50]

I am familiar with a number of friends using Mobil 1 for years now and no problems. The local Toyota dealer actually recommends it for those wanting to go synthetic. I think Amsoil is just blowing smoke. Ignore them.

[Mdxtasy]

I'm a Mobil 1 guy on the MDX.  Besides, Porsche recommends Mobil 1 for their entire lineup.

(Message edited by mdxtasy on September 06, 2004)

[inco]

Find out where you can buy your oil at good prices. Synthetics can be very expensive.

Mobil is good - however I have been using Castrol and have had good luck with it - no burning either. It can be bought for $30 for six one litre cans at Costco.

Amsoil I'm not sold on and the price - well let's not go there.

[Snowman]

I use Pennzoil 10W-30 Synthetic engine oil with "Pennzane" additive  

[Roadrunner]

Ditto Snowman. With recommended 5W30 in winter.
3.4L V6; 82k kms, burns no oil. Oil/filter changes every 3mos/5k kms.

[Mdxtasy]

Hey Roadie...you change your oil every 5K even with synthetic?

[Smainville]

Mobil 1 is factory fill for Corvette if I recall, my X-Trail has been switched to Mobil 1.  My Focus ran synthetic and mostly Mobil 1, got 170,000k troublefree, I wish the rest of the car would have been as troublefree.  Every 6k on the X and every 5k on the Echo.

(Message edited by smainville on September 06, 2004)

[ovr50]

Just put Quaker State Advanced Engine Full Synthetic in the Bullitt  - 5-20w is what Ford recommends for the engine. A strange weight and harder to find but some run 5-30w with no ill effects. I plan to change every 5k for sure.

[Roadrunner]

Yeah I do. It's expensive, but until I graduate out of the old school, I'll continue. The recommended 5W30 is dino oil, but after talking to my lube pal, I decided to use synthetic year round. I'll change every 8k kms/6mos at a later date. I've never used this synthetic before and until I get comfortable with it I'll feel my way through. I know a lot of people don't change the synthetics for a year or more. Most of our driving is stop and go, so, synthetic or not, it's going to get changed.

[dan_mc]

Hello everyone,i have to agree with you all that when it comes to oil you basically don't have to look further than a car race and read the sponsors stickers on the side of the F1 cars,Indy,Stock,Rally,etc.
I have looked at the Red Line (another pricey oil @ $12/litre at Canadian Tire) and i have problem with their price too,why $12.00 ,Mobil 1,Quaker State,Penzoil,Castrol they all sell for about the same price @ $ 6.00~ $ 7.00 a litre.My opinion is this...if a million dollar F1 car uses Mobil 1,Quaker,Castrol,Penzoil...it's gotta be good "enough" for my "non F1 car",plus you don't those succesful teams using Amsoil,do you ?
A very interesting oil company is Lubro Moly from Germany,a 4L jug is like $ 10.00 (100% synthetic),are you guys familiar with Lubro Moly products ?
Thank you for the warm welcome,talk to you soon.
Dan

[brian]

I would NOT look too closely at what is sponsored by race cars or teams... I think FRAM still sponsors teams/cars.  Those race cars don't use the same oils that street cars do anyway.

Both Amsoil and Mobil 1 are considered to be among the best synthetic oils for extended drain intervals, and I don't know if you have run into the "real vs. psuedo synthetic" debate before, but both of these are the "real" kind.  The issue people have with some other synthetics like Castrol (most oils), Quaker State, Pennzoil, etc. is not that they are necessarily inferior or incapable of running long drains, it is just that they are often a similar price to Mobil 1 but made from cheaper materials, so it is seen as a worse bargain by some.  If you can find any synthetic oil for an appreciably lower price though, it shouldn't be a bad product to use.

Not sure why the Amsoil site you read bashes Mobil 1... I've never heard about that before and I am sure it is baseless.  It is considered great regardless of price (which is quite reasonable usually).

[barrie1]

That is a very poor business practise to Bash the other guys products with Harsh claims regarding their product. We all have different engines and needs with our vehicles that differ in Canada. Whats good for one vehicle is not necessaryly good for another. Pick a good reputable brand you feel you can trust and check the specs on the can to see if they match those listed for your vehicle, these will be the SAE letters shown on the container and these change for every generation of engines as well. Both Dino and Syn are still very good for most vehicles but learning to Change the Oil on a regular Basis is the answer to long life on any engine. I have a Race high Compression engine and an a aluminum engine and a older cast engine as well. I chose Castrol as my Brand but 3 different grades. Its a money and personal choice for your chariot as long as you change it wisely.

[rhiebert]

I wonder why Mobile pulled the ad program that bragged that "Nothing Outperforms Mobile 1"? Is it possible that there was a "dark horse" threatening to keep them honest?    

[Mdxtasy]

Easy there....I see you are an Amsoil product pusher from your profile.  

[rhiebert]

I'm not pushing anything, your curiosity and your mouse linked you to my profile that doesn't hide a thing, that's more than some posters.

[ovr50]

Here we go again. Some never give up.

[tpl]

Brian_MC.  You may hear that old argument about not using a synthetic in a new engine....'cos it won't break in. You can ignore that one.

My car has a 25,000 (2.5*10E4) KM oil change interval on Synthetic. BMW's euro 5w30 which is an ACEA A3 ( or A5) full synthetic.  The interval is actually measured in litres of gasoline through the engine!

BMW Canada recommend  Castrol Syntec 5W30 as an alternative.
Mobil One 0W-40 is one of the few ACEA A5 synthetics available. ACEA A5 is for high performance gasoline engines with extended oil drain intervals

I am not as careful as some posters in this thread, every 8000KM works for me, that is two changes between each factory suggested change.
Now, 80% of my trips are, at 27KM on expressways, enough to get the oil fully warm...if I commuted with the city I'd go for 5000K, as well