Interesting discussion on the oil . . . Depending on the price, I might try the synthetic. I try to adhere to the 3K oil change schedule, but I'm not always on target. I go 1-1.5k over that often enough, so it might be a better choice.

Kyle-

Your points are well made.

Nice looking '01 Kyle. Looks just like mine. The '70.... wish I had one of those.

I've been running Mobil1 at 5,000 mile intervals for 2 years now, with 110k on the ticker, and pristine engine with no oil leaks or burning. Mobil1 has been tested to be effective (in some cases better than dinosaur juice) up to 10k. I won't let it go that far.

So by changing at 5k, and using a premium filter, I'm not really paying twice as much any more

When I bought my car used in '02 it had 27k(miles) on it. I switched it then from regular oil to synthetic(Mobile1). I have had no problems with it. I have around 5300 miles on it since my last change and I'm at 24% on my DIC. I generally change every 5-6k.

Funny thing was when I had my car in to get the window regulator fixed, I had asked the head mechanic at the dealership if it was ok to switch from bone juice to synthetic. Hie reply was to ask me how many miles I had on my car! He seemed to espouse the view that switching high miliage cars to synthetic was an issue as stated before on this thread.

My question is that I wonder when my car should go from synthetic to a high miliage type oil, if at all.

No, high mileage oil is fine.. but it isn't going to help you any. Their claims are false. Mobil 1 is the best oil.. IMO


-justin

:? WOW, I've seen this discussion a few times, and the text always reads the same.

As for me, I've used nothing but synthetic in EVERY engine I've owned over the past 20 years. And I would never consider ever changing back. -and by the way, some engines brand new, and others switched at high mileage. -one, at 198,000 miles, and it now has 233,000. -still no leaks, no burning, etc. On some of my new engines, it seemed to take a VERY LONG TIME for the rings to seat, which I just sort of "wrote off" to the synthetic. BUT, I can't prove that.

I guess as I see it, there is absolute no magic involved at all. (-although the myths always flow freely,,,). For me personally, it boils down to these few considerations:
1. There is no doubt in my mind that synthetic lubricants are superior in every way. (anyone that really wants to "dig out the facts", should do the research. The facts are out there.)
2. In almost all applications by the "average consumer" there will be no real measurable/provable advantage. Standard lubes will work just fine.
3. The extreme cold weather properties are VERY advantageous. (-and they stand up better to high temps too, I'm sure).

One of my applications was an old 4-wheel drive truck, used daily during zero-degree winter weather (Northern Wyoming). I changed to synthetic in both differentials, transfer case, transmission, and engine. There was a "night and day" difference in the reduction of "viscosity drag" on those sub-zero mornings.

i've been running synthetic sense 1989 "LOVE IT"
i go 7500 to 8500 miles before changing the oil but i do
alot of highway miles. if you factor in the extra miles plus
less engine wear and better gas mileage you can save MONEY
by going to synthetics.
ROD

I have studied the field of Tribology.....lubrication.
Synthetic oil wins hands down.
I wouldn't use anything else and haven't for many years now in all my vehicles. Even the transmission fluid.
I have found, however, that using Mobil 1 10W30 in my 25 year old Firebird causes extreme leaking from the crankcase rear seal. I switched to Castrol Synthetic 5 W 50 and the problem disappeared. :P

I switched to Mobil 1 at 20k mi. and found that my average mileage increased by very near 2 mpg.

if you change your oil at 3000 mi. intervals at the end of 100,000 mi. you would have changed your oil 33 times at a cost of $247.50 for 165 qt. of oil at $1.50 each.
$198 for 33 oil filters at $6 each for a total of $445.50
if you use synthetic oil and change your oil at 8000 mi. intervals it would cost you
$288.00 for the oil, 60 qt. at $4.80 per qt. $72 for 12 oil filters at $6 each for a total of $360
not to mention the savings on gas because of better gas mileage with synthetic oil .
ROD