oil: synthetic vs. conventional

[Ride92]

I'm coming up to the first oil change in my new car and I was wondering what you guys (and girls) think about running full synthetic? I don't know what the pervious owner had been using. My dad once switched to full syn in a '78 couger with a winser V8 and pretty much f'ed it because of the smaller particles in the syn bleed out all the seals and gaskets. I know the little four banger doesn't compare to a big block but what do you think? Will it hurt, if the car's been on regular oil to just jump to full syn? or should I use syn-blend a couple of times first?

 

[poison]

Use synthetic, you'll be just fine, but only if you are planning on running out to the full 7500 oil change interval, or longer. Otherwise stick to regular, preferably Chevron or Motorcraft oil.

It's not the size of the engine, BTW, it's the age of the seals and inferior materials thereof.

 

[Ride92]

Use synthetic, you'll be just fine, but only if you are planning on running out to the full 7500 oil change interval, or longer. Otherwise stick to regular, preferably Chevron or Motorcraft oil.

It's not the size of the engine, BTW, it's the age of the seals and inferior materials thereof.

So, was planning on changing oil twice a year about every 5000miles or so. What would be the down side to doing so? You say 7500 or longer, why, and is there a filter out there designed to last that long for the P5? If so, What? Where do I get one?

I know the age of the engine plays a part but so does size... Larger engine, more surface area to the seals. I also feel that older V8' just weren't build with the tighest of tolerances like todays engines. Rude and Crude = V8. Either way, I don't give a s*** about the V8 it's gone.

 

[gsmooth]

engine oil should be changed every 3 months or @ 5k

synthetic or conventional

 

[Steel]

Bah. I remember the recommended oil change interval on my old 91 civic was 7500 miles. I use synthetic now in the P5 and don't change until 10k or 12.5 k miles. Have been doing this since new and its still running strong at 145k.

edit: And don't forget, the companies that make this stuff want you to keep buying, so they will scare you into thinking you need to change it more often than you need. If you're really concern, do oil analysis tests. I know the VW TDI guys regularly go 20k miles between changes.

 

[poison]

So, was planning on changing oil twice a year about every 5000miles or so. What would be the down side to doing so? You say 7500 or longer, why, and is there a filter out there designed to last that long for the P5? If so, What? Where do I get one?

I know the age of the engine plays a part but so does size... Larger engine, more surface area to the seals. I also feel that older V8' just weren't build with the tighest of tolerances like todays engines. Rude and Crude = V8. Either way, I don't give a s*** about the V8 it's gone.

The downside would be you under the car, instead of on top of your wife/gf, or some other preferable activity , as well as more pollution and waste.

K&N and Amsoil are marketed as extended drain filters, but that's not really necessary. A regular Purolator filter will do just find out to 10-12k, assuming you are using an freakin air filter, and don't off road or live in a dust bowl.

I see what you're saying, but as far as I know, most of the seal issues were mostly due to old school seal materials. Any new car, v8 or not, can be switched at will between dino and synth with zero issues, even at high miles.

 

[poison]

engine oil should be changed every 3 months or @ 5k

synthetic or conventional

No.