Can I use synthetic oil?
Can I use synthetic oil? i have a 1998 B4C camaro with 93k on it, purchased from South Carolina Police. I am due for an oil change.
i do not know what type of oil was used in it.
i want to use mobil one full synthetic oil. however i have heard switching from conventional oil to syn. on a high mileage motor can pull oil out of the gaskets and the motor can start to leak.
is this true? will i be ok with the full syn? or should i go witha syn BLEND? (ive heard some syn. blends are only 2% syn, CRAP!)
WHAT CAN I DOOO? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
i do not know what type of oil was used in it.
i want to use mobil one full synthetic oil. however i have heard switching from conventional oil to syn. on a high mileage motor can pull oil out of the gaskets and the motor can start to leak.
is this true? will i be ok with the full syn? or should i go witha syn BLEND? (ive heard some syn. blends are only 2% syn, CRAP!)
WHAT CAN I DOOO? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
Re: Can I use synthetic oil? Hey Corey, You can go to a full synthetic if you want. I was using Mobil 1 once (1 oil change) and I believe that stuff is CRAP. I burned alot of oil using Modbil 1 (1 quart every 1000 miles) I switched to Valvoline full synthetic and loved it. All were 10W30. Dont use 20W50. The poor motor will be 3 times louder than it is now. Its waaaay too think.
I had Redline oil in it when it let go. VERY $$$$, but everyone swears by it. Didnt get to use it long enough to know the difference <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" />
Also, when I pulled all my bearing out, they all looked brand new! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
I had Redline oil in it when it let go. VERY $$$$, but everyone swears by it. Didnt get to use it long enough to know the difference <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" />
Also, when I pulled all my bearing out, they all looked brand new! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 0
From: metro st louis
Re: Can I use synthetic oil? Country boy I wish I would have read your post before I went to mobil 1 15w40!! LOUD, I thought I bent a pushrod, and I burnt a lot of oil as well. I personally think think synthetic is way overpriced for the benefit, if any.
Re: Can I use synthetic oil? Next time someone tells you you cant switch ask them to proove it! How would it affect the seals? Switch over to full you wont hurt a thing. That is a mith. Like saying if you dont use cats your car wont run right because of lack of back pressure. PLEASE!
Re: Can I use synthetic oil? Hehe, I used the 20w50 once and you could hear that thing from a mile away (almost literaly) Ive had crazy problems with Mobil 1 in 3 different cars. One is a loss in oil pressure, and another is oil consumption. Switched in all 3 and all the problems went away <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> I swear off Mobil 1 to this day. Use a good oil, its the blood of your motor.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Re: Can I use synthetic oil? Myth #2: Synthetic oil is only for new cars.
Fact: A quality synthetic motor oil can be used in old as well as new cars, including cars in which conventional oil was previously used. While using a synthetic motor oil in newer cars has been well documented, Castrol Syntec also provides added protection through enhanced seal compatibility- which is extremely important for used cars. Therefore, synthetic motor oils are beneficial for the good health, long life, and top performance of new and old cars. And any consumer looking to get the most out of their car should use a premium Synthetic motor oil.
Yeah I kind of found out the hard way about using 5w50 oil myself... It doesn't really burn more oil but loud.............. I think the Full synthetic oils are worth the extra bucks.... Right now I use castrol 10w30 Full snthetic and a K&N High Flow oil filter.......
Fact: A quality synthetic motor oil can be used in old as well as new cars, including cars in which conventional oil was previously used. While using a synthetic motor oil in newer cars has been well documented, Castrol Syntec also provides added protection through enhanced seal compatibility- which is extremely important for used cars. Therefore, synthetic motor oils are beneficial for the good health, long life, and top performance of new and old cars. And any consumer looking to get the most out of their car should use a premium Synthetic motor oil.
Yeah I kind of found out the hard way about using 5w50 oil myself... It doesn't really burn more oil but loud.............. I think the Full synthetic oils are worth the extra bucks.... Right now I use castrol 10w30 Full snthetic and a K&N High Flow oil filter.......
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Re: Can I use synthetic oil? i use mobil 1 and have never had any problems.my 98 ss uses about 3/4 of a quart every 5k and my wifes 96 grand am commuter car does not burn any oil and it has 180,000 miles and gets better mpg now than when it was new. also use mobil 1 in my truck my wifes 02 altima and my ninja zx9r. no leaks,more power and change the oil every 5k. <img border="0" alt="[driving]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_driving3.gif" />
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: Can I use synthetic oil? Mobil 1 is a good oil but it's biggest problem in LS1s is that their 10w30 and 5w30 are both on the very low end of the 30wt range. To qualify as a 30wt the viscosity at 100c must be between 9.3 to 12.49cst. Mobil 1 is at 9.7 (5w30) and 9.8 (10w30) So it's very thin. But you don't want to go 100% 15w50 because that is way too thick for these engines (unless your engine has been built with much looser clearances).
So this is why so many people burn oil with Mobil 1. If you mix in 2qts of 15w50 with 4qts 10w30 it will thicken up the oil so that it's closer to the high end of a 30wt or low end of the 40wt. This will reduce consumption. If you don't want to mix, go with Redline, Amsoil or Royal Purple, all of which are thicker 30wts.
Most blends are a joke, they are only 10% synthetic base oil, but not even technically synthetic, they are using a group 3 (Hydrocracked petroleum) base. The high mileage oils are actually better blends, as they use about 10% esters and are thicker and more shear stable. The best blend of all is the one I use, Schaeffer Supreme 7000. It's about 25% synthetic, and uses PAOs for it's base oil. It's performance is better than a lot of full synthetics but yet is only about $3 a quart. I'm going to be experimenting in the spring by running 2qts of their 15w40 mixed in with their 10w30 to see how the thicker mix reduces my LT1s engine wear numbers in oil analysis. I do believe the LT1 and LS1 will show better wear when an oil is in the 12-13cst range (which makes it a thick 30 or thin 40wt) Save the thinner 30wts for the tighter clearance imports.
So this is why so many people burn oil with Mobil 1. If you mix in 2qts of 15w50 with 4qts 10w30 it will thicken up the oil so that it's closer to the high end of a 30wt or low end of the 40wt. This will reduce consumption. If you don't want to mix, go with Redline, Amsoil or Royal Purple, all of which are thicker 30wts.
Most blends are a joke, they are only 10% synthetic base oil, but not even technically synthetic, they are using a group 3 (Hydrocracked petroleum) base. The high mileage oils are actually better blends, as they use about 10% esters and are thicker and more shear stable. The best blend of all is the one I use, Schaeffer Supreme 7000. It's about 25% synthetic, and uses PAOs for it's base oil. It's performance is better than a lot of full synthetics but yet is only about $3 a quart. I'm going to be experimenting in the spring by running 2qts of their 15w40 mixed in with their 10w30 to see how the thicker mix reduces my LT1s engine wear numbers in oil analysis. I do believe the LT1 and LS1 will show better wear when an oil is in the 12-13cst range (which makes it a thick 30 or thin 40wt) Save the thinner 30wts for the tighter clearance imports.
