Synth to dyno oil switch?

I have been using synthetic oil since around 10,000 mark. Since then I use Mobil 1 oil and filter. Well I change my oil every 5-6 weeks because thats when I reach the 3,000-3,500 mile mark. Its getting to be like a monthly bill, so i figured maybe I could go back to conventional oil. What do you think?

[Anubis]

nick (07-09-2001 07:06 p.m.):
I have been using synthetic oil since around 10,000 mark. Since then I use Mobil 1 oil and filter. Well I change my oil every 5-6 weeks because thats when I reach the 3,000-3,500 mile mark. Its getting to be like a monthly bill, so i figured maybe I could go back to conventional oil. What do you think?

Stick with the Mobil 1 synth. Had a friend who had it in a race motor he recieved. Raced it for 4 weekends then had a freshening up done on it.......was told the bearings were in the best condition they had ever seen. With all the miles you drive it is nice to have the protection.

[Mario]

What are your driving contitions. To put 3k -3.5k in 6 weekes must be highway and more that 8miles / trip? If so you may prefer to use normal service instead of the severe one. That way, change oil every 5k instead.

[DHOOP]

Friend of mine has run his Audi 300k miles on synthetic....hasn't changed it all that regularly either. It is still running fine.

[Qlara]

It's true! You use Mobil 1 and drain it every 3k highway miles is like throwing out money to the sea. One of the reason I use Mobil 1 is to prolong the oil change interval and still keep my engine clean......

If you race the car within that 3k miles all the time, then it's another story. But for normal commuter mileages, change it every 5-6k miles instead.

[ricksLS1]

Doesn't Dino and Synth. oil get dirty over the same time period? I thought that was one of the major reasons to change your oil and filter. If I was under warranty I would follow the Saturn maintenance intervals

[Hodado]

You might think about going to Amsoil.The change interval is 25000mi if you use their oil and filter.If you buy the dual stage bypass kit you can go indefinetly with oil analysis.

I think I am going to stick with the mobil 1 and just eat the cost of it. Its not that bad if it will keep my engine in good shape for a long time. Also has anyone used Regular Mobil Drive Clean Oil? My wifes car had a noisy lifters so I put in Drive clean 10w-30 and ran a bottle of lucas fuel inj. cleaner/upper cylinder lube and it has been great for the last 3 oil changes

[Orzech]

nick (07-12-2001 09:32 p.m.):
Also has anyone used Regular Mobil Drive Clean Oil? My wifes car had a noisy lifters so I put in Drive clean 10w-30 and ran a bottle of lucas fuel inj. cleaner/upper cylinder lube and it has been great for the last 3 oil changes

Good question. I just put a fresh batch into my Mazda 323, it still runs, leaked a buttload of it and smelled bad, but it always does that, <blah> leaking head gasket. The stuff is __cheap__, $4.88 for 5qts at my local KMs, and it appears to be on par with all the other dino oils, so I think it will go into the SL2 as well. Unless someone here tells me otherwise?

The spec sheet for this oil is at http://dallnd6.dal.mobil.com/GIS/MobilPDS.nsf/26b7c4b33367a4a086256665004e4266/03ff05314860ab74852567b40068dd22?OpenDocument

FYI, I've been using Castrol GTX in the Mazda since I acquired it @114k (it now has ~150k), and this will be my first oil change in the SL2, which just broke 150k.

-- tmo

[ricksLS1]

Just don't extened the service levels as some people suggest. Per Saturn:

Saturn does not recommend or endorse synthetic oil. While it is acceptable to use synthetic oil in a Saturn (so long as the synthetic oil has the API "starburst" symbol and is either SAE 5W-30 or, if the temperature in your area will not be going below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, SAE 10W-30), it is still necessary to follow the recommended maintenance schedule. Please refer to your Owner's Handbook or contact your Retail Facility for your specific maintenance schedule. Oil changes are necessary because oil not only cools and lubricates the engine, but it also cleans the engine of dirt and contaminants.
Synthetic oil picks up dirt and foreign matter just as any oil does and will continue to carry this foreign matter through the engine. Many people believe that longer periods of mileage and time are acceptable between synthetic oil changes.

This increases the amount of time contaminants are circulated through the engine. Saturn Corporation cannot be held responsible for damage to the engine resulting from the effects of failing to use the recommended oil.