Reasons not to use synthetic oil?

[Jack R Lawson]

I have read many of the oil threads and concluded, maybe I should not use synthetic oil. I think what I read was, if you drive less than 6000 miles in two years, consisting of mostly short, less than 10-15 mile trips that you are wasting your money on synthetic oil and it would actually be better for your engine to use regular oil and change it every three months, as opposed to the extended times offered by synthetic. I guess short trips and just setting in the garage the oil becomes more contaminated than oil used in a more normal situation. Couple questions, first, does anyone agree with what I have determined about synthetic's in my situation and second, where do you get your oil analyzed for contamination? The reason I am asking these questions is, I just realized I have had my 2004 Corvette two years this spring and have only changed the oil one time. What do the oil experts recommend? I would appreciate hearing your comments and recommendations. Thanks

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Follow your owners manual and do not deviate from it.
Not using the synthetic that is recommended is just asking for trouble.
Noone engineers the vehicles here, so that is what you should do.
Follow GM recommendations for oil requirements, nothing more, nothing less.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[Tuna]

Drive your car more!

 

[DRTH VTR]

Why use inferior oil? Use the stuff that GM (and c4c5) recommend.

 

[U.P. John]

I know a local mechanic who has a 2000 Toyota pick-me-up and has used Mobil 1 since Day 1. At 150,000 miles, just to satisfy his own curiosity that using Mobil 1 was worth it, he tore the engine completely down. Said it was like brand new, from top to bottom.

Also, as C4C5 Specialist noted, the manual "recommends" using Mobil 1. And, fyi, if you use anything other, you will void the warranty. Not a good idea.

 

[Stinger !!]

Jack R Lawson...

Don't loose track of one of the main reasons synthetic is superior to mineral based oil...it does not leave the cylinders and valve train void of oil after the engine sits for extended periods...it leaves a coating of "synthetic" oil and does not "drip" completely back to the oil pan...very important upon start up of an engine that sits...DO NOT USE MINERAL BASED OIL (cheap stuff)..

As far as your comment about synthetic getting contaminated after sitting ...don't know were you got that info from, but give it back (the info that is) and demand a refund for it...that is BS!! Hope this info helps!

 

[6 Shooter]

Keep the dino out of mine!

 

[Mike Mercury]

Reasons ... to use synthetic oil?

warranty ???

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

I have read many of the oil threads and concluded, maybe I should not use synthetic oil. I think what I read was, if you drive less than 6000 miles in two years, consisting of mostly short, less than 10-15 mile trips that you are wasting your money on synthetic oil and it would actually be better for your engine to use regular oil and change it every three months, as opposed to the extended times offered by synthetic. I guess short trips and just setting in the garage the oil becomes more contaminated than oil used in a more normal situation. Couple questions, first, does anyone agree with what I have determined about synthetic's in my situation and second, where do you get your oil analyzed for contamination? The reason I am asking these questions is, I just realized I have had my 2004 Corvette two years this spring and have only changed the oil one time. What do the oil experts recommend? I would appreciate hearing your comments and recommendations. Thanks

Jack R. Lawson,

Chevrolet eliminated the need for an external oil cooler on the LS1 engine in the C5 due to the superior heat disipating properties of approved synthetic oil.

 

[Jack R Lawson]

Jack R. Lawson,

Chevrolet eliminated the need for an external oil cooler on the LS1 engine in the C5 due to the superior heat disipating properties of approved synthetic oil.

I really appreciate everyones response and I never had any serious intention to stop useing Mobile 1 but a person can read some far out stuff on some of these threads. I hear these oil guru's talking about oil contamination analysis, does anyone know who provides this service? Thanks again for your input.

 

[The Drakester]

Oil Analysis

I really appreciate everyones response and I never had any serious intention to stop useing Mobile 1 but a person can read some far out stuff on some of these threads. I hear these oil guru's talking about oil contamination analysis, does anyone know who provides this service? Thanks again for your input.

Any Aviation Maintenance shop can put you in touch with a lab. You can also try here: http://www.oillab.com/ (or google "oil Analysis Lab). I have used the following lab for my Airplane: Aviation Oil Analysis 800-445-7930.

Cheers, JD

 

[fdxpilot]

The reason I am asking these questions is, I just realized I have had my 2004 Corvette two years this spring and have only changed the oil one time. What do the oil experts recommend? I would appreciate hearing your comments and recommendations. Thanks

That's why Chevy says change it once a year at most. I'm about to do my 5th change in 4 years, and only the second one done in less than the 1 year interval. Usually, at one year, I have about 7000mi and still have 30-40% oil life remaining.

 

[Irv]

I really appreciate everyones response and I never had any serious intention to stop useing Mobile 1 but a person can read some far out stuff on some of these threads. I hear these oil guru's talking about oil contamination analysis, does anyone know who provides this service? Thanks again for your input.

It is a problem that we are conditioned to assume reading something "in print" gives it an air of authority, when in fact any bozo with a computer can post on an internet forum. There also seems to be a large contingent of people that pay $50K+ for car, and then see how cheap they can be by using 87 octane gas in a premium-rated vehicle (popular with the BMW crowd) or using non-synthetic motor oil, and justifying it as being better somehow. It's all nonsense. Premium fuel and synthetic oil have measurable characteristics that have been proven to make a difference in performance and durability. Sure, if you drive your vette ultra-conservatively on the California coast 87 octane gas and Wal-Mart non-synthetic oil will probably do just fine. If you're going to do a fun drive in the desert on a hot day and poke the redline repeatedly you might just find even 92 octane fuel and Mobil-1 oil have barely enough headroom.

I'd recommend Blackstone for oil analysis. Try: http://www.blackstone-labs.com

 

[Patrick]

...when in fact any bozo with a computer can post on an internet forum.

Irv,
I am shocked... absolutely SHOCKED... to learn we don't have minimum standards for internet users. I'm even more shocked to learn that you can't believe everything you read on the internet.


Now I need just one more shock to start my day. Like Alice, I try to believe three impossible things before breakfast.
:L

-Patrick

 

[Irv]

I'm glad I could amuse you, Patrick. I was trying to make a point, not to believe or be swayed by what you read unless it is based on data, but if I did it in a way that got someone laughing, I hope I can do that more often. Laughter is good.

 

[Pseudomind]

Now I am shocked you did not include these, according to my wife if it was on television or some rock star/ or actor/actress said it then it has to be the gospel.

am shocked... absolutely SHOCKED... to learn we don't have minimum standards for internet users. I'm even more shocked to learn that you can't believe everything you read on the internet.

See even here it is based on an actor who played on "Star Trek, The Next Generation,"

I was trying to make a point, not to believe or be swayed by what you read unless it is based on data,

:L

 

[GerryLP]

Obviously not concerning C5's, but I have noticed that engines using petroleum-based oils and with old seals/gaskets tend to leak (even if they didn't leak before) when switched to Mobil 1. In my Toyota, I added Mobil 1 after the overhaul break-in period, and it does not leak.

GerryLP:cool

 

[04 Commemorative]

Obviously not concerning C5's, but I have noticed that engines using petroleum-based oils and with old seals/gaskets tend to leak (even if they didn't leak before) when switched to Mobil 1. In my Toyota, I added Mobil 1 after the overhaul break-in period, and it does not leak.

GerryLP:cool

Of course I use Mobil 1 in my 04 Vette,if it is a cost factor get it at Cosco or another warehouse shopping place it is much cheaper then at a car store. I also started using it in my 2000 Blazer which was a lease return and had around 35k on it when I bought it.I now have 125k and so far no leaks at all. On both cars I will bring the Mobil 1 and a AC Delco filter to the dealer or a place like ETD (tire store and Blazer only) and they just charge me for the labor and to dispose of the old oil. The Blazer I change every 6k the vette usually once a year although it is an 04 and I have changed the oil in it 5 times because of free oil changes from dealer that would have expired. I am a big fan of Mobil 1,can you tell?

 

[6 Shooter]

How about you don't like your Corvette!