Synthetic Oil?

BJZags · 04-21-2010, 10:31 AM

Last time I had my oil changed on my 2009 SX4, the dude at Goodyear suggested I switch to a synthetic oil, stating it helped the engine run more efficiently, and thus improving gas mileage. Is this a good idea, or not?

grats · 04-21-2010, 12:59 PM

It is a good idea, if you can afford it every oil change.

TheShadowFL · 04-21-2010, 06:38 PM

I'd probably be a little more verbal!

It would come out something more like.... "BS!"

Synthetic will get full of crud just as quick as dino oil.
As far as this old gear-head is concerned, synthetic oil is one of the biggest scams ever perpetrated on the driving public. Just another way for the oil companies to get deeper into your pockets.

The oil companies are just counting their money and laughing their heads off, all the way to the bank.

I don't change my oil every 3000 miles because it ain't oil any more..... I change it because it's getting loaded up with crud that the filter can't remove.

Since 2000 I've driven nothing but Suzuki's and every one has had nothing but Castrol GTX put in it.
And every engine was clean as new when I traded the car in for a new one.

Experience is truly the best teacher and I've had 50 years of it, and I'm now on my fifth Suzuki.

good luck,
The Shadow

BJZags · 04-22-2010, 10:02 AM

Thanks 'shadow', that's kinda what I was thinking as he's giving me his song and dance.

TheShadowFL · 04-22-2010, 10:35 AM

My apologies, if my post offended anyone.

But, us old timers tend to get carried away sometimes and we ARE very opinionated.

It's pretty hard to make us believe that what's worked just fine for a hundred years isn't any good any more. (Dino Oil)

My life tank is almost empty and about all I've got left is many years of experience. I buy only good quality oil and filters and change them every 3000 miles or as close to that as possible and I've never lost an engine to lack of lubrication.

I actually read where one guy, using a synthetic oil, only changes his oil every 36,000 miles. Another, only every 15,000 miles. That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of.
That definitely comes under the heading of "How to best KILL your engine!"

Sorry! I tend to rant and ramble.

Y'all have a great day now, Y'hear?

2009 SX4 · 04-24-2010, 10:27 AM

I've been using full synthetic. I just change my oil again and it was really dark. I just pasted 35K miles. I replace my oil at 5K.
5K for synthetic, 4K for semi syn, and 3K for the regular stuff. (My opinion)

TheShadowFL · 04-24-2010, 12:20 PM

Not bad,,,, but....
the older the engine gets, the more crud it's going to produce so more frequent oil changes should be the rule.

At 35k, the engine is hardly even broken in, so 5k on synthetic should be ok, even on dino oil in a pinch.

I don't believe that I've ever said that Synthetic oil is BAD, but it seems that many users have gotten the miss-conception that it will just run forever. Regardless, of how GOOD the Synthetic Oil may be, it's still going to need changing on a regular schedule.
And what about the filter? Are synthetic oil users going to also use some SUPER FILTER that will be able to hold all the crud from the long oil change intervals?

The Oil Filter is a critical part of the equation. Most filter makers offer a Good, Better and Best filter. Even the Good filter is rated for 3k miles, so that's the one I use. But are the Synthetic users also buying the BEST grade of oil filter?
Oh, so many questions!

I just can't get by the price for the synthetic oil. It seems like a huge waste of money for me, a retiree on limited income.

F.B. · 04-25-2010, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheShadowFL

Not bad,,,, but....
the older the engine gets, the more crud it's going to produce so more frequent oil changes should be the rule.

At 35k, the engine is hardly even broken in, so 5k on synthetic should be ok, even on dino oil in a pinch.

I don't believe that I've ever said that Synthetic oil is BAD, but it seems that many users have gotten the miss-conception that it will just run forever. Regardless, of how GOOD the Synthetic Oil may be, it's still going to need changing on a regular schedule.
And what about the filter? Are synthetic oil users going to also use some SUPER FILTER that will be able to hold all the crud from the long oil change intervals?

The Oil Filter is a critical part of the equation. Most filter makers offer a Good, Better and Best filter. Even the Good filter is rated for 3k miles, so that's the one I use. But are the Synthetic users also buying the BEST grade of oil filter?
Oh, so many questions!

I just can't get by the price for the synthetic oil. It seems like a huge waste of money for me, a retiree on limited income.

Oil and filters have advanced a lot. Royal Puple oil and filters are rated for 12,000 miles. 3000 mile changes are a waste of money, even with conventional oils. Some old dogs can't learn new tricks. If I was using Fram filters, I'd change a lot more often.

TheShadowFL · 04-25-2010, 02:41 PM

Well, I'm not currently using FRAM filters, but I will continue to change my oil and filter every3000 miles as prescribed in the SX4 owners manual.
Suppose maybe the engineers at Suzuki know something that you don't?

I'm betting that they do!

F.B. · 04-25-2010, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheShadowFL

Well, I'm not currently using FRAM filters, but I will continue to change my oil and filter every3000 miles as prescribed in the SX4 owners manual.
Suppose maybe the engineers at Suzuki know something that you don't?

I'm betting that they do!

Have you checked your owner's manual?