Synthetic oil....for what it's worth!

[NYH1]

I changed the oil in my 2000 Yamaha Big Bear 400 4x4 to Amsoil's 0W-40 synthetic ATV motor oil. I don't know if it's going to help my engine at all. It did however make my transmission noticeably easier to shift. Just figured I'd pass that along. YMMV!

[SHOOTALL]

i have used it in my artic cat for 6 years with no problem !
use it in all my trucks , engine , trans , rears ,etc. with good result no failures like we had with reg oil. some engines over 250000mi .

[Lloyd Smale]

Im a believer. I use it in every vechile i own. My nephew worked at walmart and was in charge of ordering and had the safety cards for everything they ordered and told me there house brand synthetic called high tec was bought by walmart from mobil oil and is the same thing as mobil one for half the price. For the tiny bit more it cost then buying brand named convetional oil i think its a no brainer.

[RaySendero]

Synthetic oil....What is it worth?

Guys,

The only bad (BAD) experience I've had with any oils was QUAKER STATE!  The only real good experience I can say for sure saved an engine was with Slick 50.  Otherwise, regular Penzoil, Havoline, and Castrol has worked for me OK for many years.

Now I've got a new car and it specifies the use of synthetic 5w20 only, which I've done.

But really;

• Can anyone testify to the synthetic being better?
• Has anyone seen TESTS proving the synthetic is better?

[charles p]

Quaker state made Sllck 50.  The got sued also.

[RaySendero]

Quaker state made Sllck 50.  The got sued also.

No _hit! - I did not know that!

What was the law suit?

[Hairtrigger]

We use Schaeffer snythetic oil in all of our farm equipment and have for over 30 years.
In the mid 1980's I built a 354 Hemi and put it into a 50's Dodge Pickup, at that time the Schaeffer salesman showed me some comparisons between his oil and other brands. Since then I have used Schaeffer in all of my road vehicles also

[bilmac]

When I used regular oil I changed at 3000 miles. Since I switched I change at 9000 miles which is way less than recommended, but I do it because i want a new filter every once in awhile. By buying the Wal Mart synthetic and going three times as long between it costs about the same as regular oil, but

> most agree it is better for your engine
> most agree you get better gas mileage
> I have to get under the pickup only a couple times a year now instead of every few months

[Dave in WV]

Synthetic oil can take more heat before breaking down, a lot more heat. That's why only synthetic oil is used in turbine engines. It can handle much colder temps before congealing. It flows more readily in cold temps.

Will a crude based oils work in your vehicle (discounting vehicles requireing synthetic oil) ? Yes but synthetic oil will do it better.

[torpedoman]

Quaker state made Sllck 50.  The got sued also.

No _hit! - I did not know that!

What was the law suit?

  seems the coating peeled off a few diesel engines in an alaskan fishing fleet plugged the filters causing engine failure.

[charles p]

I think I'd use the viscosity called for in your manual.  All engine clearances are established for a certain viscosity.

Have heard of clutch issues with synthetic oil.  Again, use what the manufacturer says use.  They have a reason.

[Hairtrigger]

While it is true that synthetic oil goes longer before breaking down you need to remember that oil gets dirt and carbon in it. Don't go too long between changes.
Sending an oil sample to get tested can be the best way to get the most out of your oil with out doing any damage

[RaySendero]

While it is true that synthetic oil goes longer before breaking down you need to remember that oil gets dirt and carbon in it. Don't go too long between changes.
Sending an oil sample to get tested can be the best way to get the most out of your oil with out doing any damage

Hey now, that a great idea! - How do find out more on getting a sample tested?

[NYH1]

I think I'd use the viscosity called for in your manual.  All engine clearances are established for a certain viscosity.

Have heard of clutch issues with synthetic oil.  Again, use what the manufacturer says use.  They have a reason.

My ATV calls for 5W-30, 10W-30 or 20W-40 depending on the temperature.   I use it from 0° to 90° or so.   OW-40 covers all of that. 

I believe the clutch issues were from using regular car/truck oil whether it be synthetic or dino in wet clutch applications.   You have to use oils that don't contain fiction modifiers that are specifically design for wet clutch applications.

[Hairtrigger]

While it is true that synthetic oil goes longer before breaking down you need to remember that oil gets dirt and carbon in it. Don't go too long between changes.
Sending an oil sample to get tested can be the best way to get the most out of your oil with out doing any damage

Hey now, that a great idea! - How do find out more on getting a sample tested?

Our Schaeffer salesman would give us kits...... they do not sell using cheep as a selling tool so I am sure they could afford it.

[Cheesehead]

Im a believer. I use it in every vechile i own. My nephew worked at walmart and was in charge of ordering and had the safety cards for everything they ordered and told me there house brand synthetic called high tec was bought by walmart from mobil oil and is the same thing as mobil one for half the price. For the tiny bit more it cost then buying brand named convetional oil i think its a no brainer.

You are right about the Walmart synthetic, it is cheap compared to Mobil1. I did not realize that until I was at Walmart today. Since I plan on keeping all of my vehicles a long time, it is Walmart syn from now on.

Cheese

[SHOOTALL]

NAPA syn comes from Valvoline .

[Hairtrigger]

All in all we are talking a couple of quarts in an ATV, not 3 gallons in a diesel pickup.
No matter how few miles or hours I change oil spring and fall at the minimum to keep condensation out

[Doug B.]

I find that irregardless of the engine, be it chainsaw, lawnmower, ATV, truck etc, I run the engines until I KNOW they are fully warmed up. I don't experience the condensation concern that you mentioned.

[charles p]

Quaker State Slick 50 settlement for false claims  http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1997/07/slick.shtm

[RaySendero]

Quaker State Slick 50 settlement for false claims  http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1997/07/slick.shtm

Thx Charles, Good info.

I was sure Slick-50 saved me an engine about 8 yrs ago - Now I'm so sure, maybe it was a fluke or coincidence?!

[mcgiiver]

I think I'd use the viscosity called for in your manual.  All engine clearances are established for a certain viscosity.

Have heard of clutch issues with synthetic oil.  Again, use what the manufacturer says use.  They have a reason.

My ATV calls for 5W-30, 10W-30 or 20W-40 depending on the temperature.   I use it from 0° to 90° or so.   OW-40 covers all of that. 

I believe the clutch issues were from using regular car/truck oil whether it be synthetic or dino in wet clutch applications.   You have to use oils that don't contain fiction modifiers that are specifically design for wet clutch applications.

The clutch issues were not from car synthetic, but from any synthetic oil that is labeled , "energy Conserving" as it has friction modifiers in it in larger quantities. The same brand synthetic can be "energy Conserving" or not depending upon the weight. This issue of wet clutches and synthetic oils is discussed at great length on the Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle forums. I sue car synthetic in my Kaw cycle with no problem whatsoever, but its not the energy conserving ones.

[Old English]

I use synthetic in our vehicles and ATV.

Now, here is something I have learned. My truck takes 4 quarts for a change, oil comes in 5 quarts. So I have 2 pints left over, being disorganized I have a few pints in various containers.
I have started using the synthetic engine oil as the bar lube in my chainsaw. My chain has stopped stretching, at $25 a chain that is a good thing. I live in TN where we have lots of thorn trees, they are like concrete to cut through and death to chains. The synthetic engine oil as chain lube has changed all that, I will never buy chain lube again!

[Cheesehead]

I have always used, used motor oil for chain lube, synthetic and others.

Cheese