Thread: Synthetic engine oil...........

Anybody run synthetic engine oil in their automobiles? If so,what brand do you use? I've been thinking about using it in my truck, but I have no experience with that type of oil.

Originally Posted by Strycnine

Anybody run synthetic engine oil in their automobiles? If so,what brand do you use? I've been thinking about using it in my truck, but I have no experience with that type of oil.

I use Valvoline Maxlife. Its half synthetic and half regular. I was told by a mechanic friend of mine not to run full synthetic in my truck since it had regular oil in it first.

Grandpappy always told me to run half and half....so I do.

thats whats cool about the maxlife. Its already half and half

Originally Posted by bigjimmy57

I was told by a mechanic friend of mine not to run full synthetic in my truck since it had regular oil in it first.

your friend is an idiot. I freak out every time I hear someone say that. Not true in any sense of the word! I have even heard other mechanics say the same, they are all idiots. Take it from the guy that has the automotive engineering degree and did 1.5 years of work on this very subject for VOLVO.

run full synthetic, your car will love you for it and it will last longer.

I agree with caleb. FAA did massive tests too. Synth is just fine.

Originally Posted by caleb

your friend is an idiot. I freak out every time I hear someone say that. Not true in any sense of the word! I have even heard other mechanics say the same, they are all idiots. Take it from the guy that has the automotive engineering degree and did 1.5 years of work on this very subject for VOLVO.

run full synthetic, your car will love you for it and it will last longer.

I have no degree but i have been in a certified tech for 20 years,i was always under the assumption that a truck with 100k on it would see no difference with synthetic oil and maybe that is what the other tech was saying.I have always told my customers not to waste money on it due to the mileage of the vehicles.
Am i wrong,i know synthetic is better.I just do not remember were i heard of the mileage issue and it could just be some stupid thing i heard and for some reason it stuck in my head.I would never tell someone not to use it but it just may no provide any benefit with a high mileage vehicle.

So share some of that fancy college learnin you have and give me the skinny.

Thanks for the info yall.

Originally Posted by analogphotographer

So share some of that fancy college learnin you have and give me the skinny.

in the tests we ran it didn't matter the mileage on the engine. Of the 3 synthetic oils we were testing all of them lowered engine temps significantly. Engine performance was increased by lowering operating temperatures.

In other tests we would place hot engine parts in different oils to see how the oil itself would react to the heat. In every test at every temp the synth oils were the only ones that would "bond" themselves to the hot parts. Regular oil did not. You will get less friction and lower temps no matter the mileage because of this. Lowered operating temperatures and less friction = less loss of rotational torque, longer engine life and increased power.

Another thing to think about;
Using synthetic oil will give you a false reading when checking your dipstick on a hot engine. Wait until your engine has completley cooled before checking oil levels. Because of the oil bonding itself to the hot parts you can read up to a quart low on some engines when they are at or slightly below operating temps.