Who's using synthetic oil in their vehicles?
- Thread starter MCChris
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Synthetic - GMC Sierra: Motul Euro blend, once a year, drive approx 10,000 kms a year
Dino - Landcruisers: Castrol or Chevron 15w40, twice a year, maybe 5,000 kms betwen the two
Dino - Landcruisers: Castrol or Chevron 15w40, twice a year, maybe 5,000 kms betwen the two
My vehicles never go more than 3k on dino, 4k on blends, and 5k on full synthetics.
I've considered leaving the full synthetics in for 6k and changing the filters @ 3k,
but I stopped using it this spring in favor of 15/40 dino diesel in my 4.0 straight 6.
You can go longer, most do... just use a quality filter, none of that fram cardboard crap!
I've considered leaving the full synthetics in for 6k and changing the filters @ 3k,
but I stopped using it this spring in favor of 15/40 dino diesel in my 4.0 straight 6.
You can go longer, most do... just use a quality filter, none of that fram cardboard crap!
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Try 11+ quarts in an '89 911! 12k is the factory recommended interval, but with almost 3 gallons(!), there's a lot of volume before it gets close to dirty. Plus, the oil filter is the size of a German beer stein....hmmm....I wonder if that's how Porsche came up with the filter size?
I used to have a Nissan NX2000 (SR20 engine) that got fresh Mobil 1 every 5-6k miles. At 150k, the compression on all 4 cylinders was still within factory spec.
YMMV (literally)...
Full synthetic here, and I go by the book- every 10,000 miles in my current BMW and my previous Audi and VW. I've managed to trade in my new or certified used cars often enough that I haven't had to pay for any oil changes since 2005, thanks to the free maintenance warranty coverage. The reality is I'm sure I paid for maintenance up front, hidden in the price of the vehicle. But it still feels nice when the service writer hands you the key and says "No charge".
This is a conversation I just had with The Wife.
We both own Audis (her 2005 and my 2004) and they are both no longer under warrantee. I had extended my warrantee, but it's about to expire again.
So, what to do?
The extended warrantee prices went up at least $1000 since the last time I bought it (around $5000 - $6000, depending on the coverage you want) so that's expensive.
Trade in and get a newer model with an existing warrantee? You know that's expensive...
And, like most German-made cars, repairs will put a hurting on your wallet, so, you need a warrantee - period.
So, she threw her hands up at the difficult decision as if there was no way of winning.
The truth is, there isn't.
"If you want to drive an Audi, you're going to pay," I told her. "There's no way around it. Buy the warrantee, make the payments or take it "on the chin" when you need a major repair."
"You can pay me now, or you can pay me later," as the Fram Guy used to say.
Synthetic is the only way to go, though (especially since it's what the manufacturer requires).
It costs a lot more, but it lasts three times as long.
A no-brainer for me.
This is why I chose years ago to just be happy with the penis I have.
The money I've spent on cars...well, it's just gone and wasn't practical by any stretch. I see them now as they are, a seat that takes me from point A to point B. Since there's rarely much distance between those two points, the seat hardly needs to be expensive. If I'm driving a long distance, I rent a better seat.
All my cheap ass cars still get synthetic, and I stick to an overkill scenario of changing it every 5k. Mobil One from Costco is often on sale for $10 off, so I buy several cases at a time which helps keep the cost down.
I'm more than happy with the penis I have, thank you for asking, only my penis prefers to be propelled in a comfortable conveyance with a lot more horsepower than it needs. This is one of the more simple pleasures that I allow myself in this life. Money isn't everything and I sure don't want to die bored with a lot of money in the bank.
I've never been happy with "transportation." The car I drive every day has to be one that I enjoy. I can't ever think to myself, "I can't wait to get out of this POS car."
I know a lot of people can't identify with that, but everyone has their own personality, and that's part of mine.
97 Audi A8. 187k miles on the clock. Dino oil every 5 or 6 or 7 k miles. or every 5 or 6 or 7 months. Whatever. It's over engineered, I can't kill it. It's long since paid for, it's long since depreciated.
Cars are fashion statements. An A8 wears like a good suit, even 15 years on it's sharp. And 300hp of quattro still shocks the Mustangs.
Cars are fashion statements. An A8 wears like a good suit, even 15 years on it's sharp. And 300hp of quattro still shocks the Mustangs.
On my current old Scirocco I've been using Mobil 1 full synthetic, and I go 4k miles between changes. It has 262k miles on it now. It has the 16v 2.0 and I think it was driven pretty hard before I got it, I probably add 2 quarts between changes, maybe a little less. If I'm driving it harder, I can tell the oil consumption goes up.
I also use Mobil 1 full synthetic on the 944S2 autocross car. I put about 1000 miles a year on that car, and change the oil about every 8 months or so. Most of the Porsche guys use Mobil 1, I think Porsche recommended it for a long time. I'd change it less often, but I worry more about moisture than particulates.
I figure oil is a non-cost if it saves me any motor maintenance in the long run on either car.
I also use Mobil 1 full synthetic on the 944S2 autocross car. I put about 1000 miles a year on that car, and change the oil about every 8 months or so. Most of the Porsche guys use Mobil 1, I think Porsche recommended it for a long time. I'd change it less often, but I worry more about moisture than particulates.
I figure oil is a non-cost if it saves me any motor maintenance in the long run on either car.
