1st Oil change: go w/ synth, reg, or OEM ?

[oni]

It's going to be my 4-month maint. schedule and just received the letter.

Was wondering if I should switch to a full synth or stick w/ the regular oil?

I was thinking that If I was going to switch, I'd go w/ the Mobil1 or even Castrol.

Any opinions?

[jliu]

I'd do the switch to synth now... the sooner the better...

Mobil 1 is what most people use, but I'm going to be using Castrol Syntec, but I do want to get my hands on some AMSOIL 5w20. It's suppose to be the best.

[Byaaahhh]

I've been using MOBIL1 for the last two oil changes and I like it. I think the car runs quieter and smoother with it. May just be the placebo effect though.

[jliu]

Maaannn... I just got my 3 today and the first thing i noticed his how quiet the engine is PERIOD!! You don't really hear the engine until it gets to 4000 RPM.

Simply amazing!!:lock

[Byaaahhh]

Sometimes I don't even know if its running.

[Stretch]

My first oil change I used Redline 5w20 and my second change last week I used Royal Purple. Both were full synthetic. When I changed to Redline from the stock oil there was a noticeable difference in engine idle smoothness and overall smoothness.
eric

[06Touring3]

I'm about to switch to full syn

if you're looking for Amsoil shoot Kriseka a PM

[erratic]

My first oil change I used Redline 5w20 and my second change last week I used Royal Purple. Both were full synthetic. When I changed to Redline from the stock oil there was a noticeable difference in engine idle smoothness and overall smoothness.
eric

really? I have never been a believer in synthetic oils and was planning on continuing on with the OEM oil throughout my oil changes. If you are telling me you notice a difference, than i might just switch over at my first oil change at 8K.

[mazda lover]

I read from oil experts that you should wait to at least 5000 to 10,000km before switching to synth. something to do with seals etc. Not sure I have it right will try and find the info..

[mazda lover]

I read from oil experts that you should wait to at least 5000 to 10,000km before switching to synth. something to do with seals etc. Not sure I have it right will try and find the info..

Go to http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php

register and do a search on the subject

[Ogata]

sorry for rebumping but...should we all switch to Synthetic or go OEM? I'm at 4k and my first oil change is next month.

[jliu]

sorry for rebumping but...should we all switch to Synthetic or go OEM? I'm at 4k and my first oil change is next month.

You should actually do your 1st oil change ASAP, before 3000-4000k. You want to get rid of the original oil and put in something more fresh.

Synthetic is the best way to go, the sooner the better!!!

:bana2:lock:bana

[theurgy]

I swapped to Royal Purple at 6000KM and never looked back, also wait at least till 6000KM for your first oil change, don't be in a hurry.
Your first oil is a break-in oil so you have to let it do it's job in breaking in all the seals and rings..etc.

[Ogata]

guess its mixed opinions..

[theurgy]

Not really.. it's what my mech at the dealership told me.

[aris]

You should actually do your 1st oil change ASAP, before 3000-4000k. You want to get rid of the original oil and put in something more fresh.

Synthetic is the best way to go, the sooner the better!!!

:bana2:lock:bana

no your first oil change is at 8000km....not 3000 to 4000km.

As for me i am going to switch to synthetic when my car is off warrenty...cause after the car comes off warrenty i will be changing it my self

[Flagrum_3]

It's going to be my 4-month maint. schedule and just received the letter.

Was wondering if I should switch to a full synth or stick w/ the regular oil?

I was thinking that If I was going to switch, I'd go w/ the Mobil1 or even Castrol.

Any opinions?

Switching to full synthetic is probably one of the best things you could do for your engine...bar none! whether or not you change it now, that's up to you!...I decided to wait till 16k to switch only because the first couple of changes will be the most contaminated from the break-in grease and metal filings, so I stuck to oem semi/syn to keep the cost down, (mind you I also did my first change at 1500k), then at 16k switched to Mobil1.

I also had the engine flushed clean when I did my switch-over to synthetic just to be on the safe side.

Any full syn will benefit your vehicle immediately, but it really counts in the winter months when it -20C out!


_3

[Ogata]

Not really.. it's what my mech at the dealership told me.

Wonderful! :bana2 Where can I get some RP in the GTA? I am comteplating between that and Redline / Amsoil.

[aris]

Wonderful! :bana2 Where can I get some RP in the GTA? I am comteplating between that and Redline / Amsoil.

you can buy RP at any Napa stores

[Flagrum_3]

you can buy RP at any Napa stores

Napa's pretty expensive though. You can also get RP from SpeedTech for $100 a case (12 US qts) taxs in.

I know someone on this site knows where to get it cheaper, but I can't recall who it was or where they got it.:bang........maybe they can chime in here!


_3

[06Touring3]

if you want Amsoil send Kriseka a PM

[aris]

Napa's pretty expensive though. You can also get RP from SpeedTech for $100 a case (12 US qts) taxs in.

I know someone on this site knows where to get it cheaper, but I can't recall who it was or where they got it.:bang........maybe they can chime in here!


_3

that is a good price:bana2

[Ogata]

does oil have an expiry date?

[aris]

does oil have an expiry date?

i don't think it does....you mean on the bottle right? causse i have never seen one on the bottle

[Dpostman]

I've never seen an expiry date on and Oil bottle. However, I would discard a conventional oil bottle that has been opened for more than a year. Conventional Oil oxidizes when in contact with air, and oxidizes faster when in the engine. Synthetic oils have a much longer service life, especially when just sitting there in the engine. That is the main reason I like to use synthetic oils in all my small engines like Lawn Mowers and snow blowers, generators etc. They spend most of there time just sitting there, being ignored, and I don't change the oil in them more than once a year. In fact, most people probably don't even change the oil in their small engines every year. I don't put a lot of mileage on my vehicles, and use synthetics. Our new Mazda 3 only has about 2500Km on it now, I will put Conventional oil in it for the next Oil change, and after that it will be Synth only. I believe the reason that synth should not be use in a new engine is that the superior lubrication properties of synth oil will prevent proper wear of the piston rings and cylinder walls to get optimum seal and performance. It is a case of too much of a good thing. All of my small engine manual actually say not to use synth oil until after the break in period, but that it is OK after.

dp

[Flagrum_3]

I've never seen an expiry date on and Oil bottle. However, I would discard a conventional oil bottle that has been opened for more than a year. Conventional Oil oxidizes when in contact with air, and oxidizes faster when in the engine. Synthetic oils have a much longer service life, especially when just sitting there in the engine. That is the main reason I like to use synthetic oils in all my small engines like Lawn Mowers and snow blowers, generators etc. They spend most of there time just sitting there, being ignored, and I don't change the oil in them more than once a year. In fact, most people probably don't even change the oil in their small engines every year. I don't put a lot of mileage on my vehicles, and use synthetics. Our new Mazda 3 only has about 2500Km on it now, I will put Conventional oil in it for the next Oil change, and after that it will be Synth only. I believe the reason that synth should not be use in a new engine is that the superior lubrication properties of synth oil will prevent proper wear of the piston rings and cylinder walls to get optimum seal and performance. It is a case of too much of a good thing. All of my small engine manual actually say not to use synth oil until after the break in period, but that it is OK after.

dp

Your reasoning for not changing too soon is absolutely right and I would have mentioned it except for fear of being ridiculed, so I'm glad someone else finally mentioned it...Some people have the notion that "New Tech" engines do not need a break-in period which is a completely retarded notion.That was my second reason to wait till 16k to switch to synthetic by the way

Thanks for chiming in Dpostman! :)


_3

[Dpostman]

Thanks for chiming in Dpostman! :)


_3

:)

No problem. I'm still a "NOOB" on this forum, but I have a 2001 4X4 Ford F150, I've been on other forums for years, and believe me, when you own a Ford Truck, you would be :loco not to be on a forum. It has saved me tonnes of money, plus you get to learn a lot of stuff.

dp

[jliu]

no your first oil change is at 8000km....not 3000 to 4000km.

As for me i am going to switch to synthetic when my car is off warrenty...cause after the car comes off warrenty i will be changing it my self

That's what the dealership recommends but I've worked on cars and have spoken to numerous techs at numerous dealerships (Toyota, Canadian Tire, Mazda, GM, Porshe, VW) they all say to take out the orginal oil before 3500km. If the car was built December 2004, but the wasn't sold until July-August of 2005, then that means that oil has been sitting in that engine for 7-8 maybe 9 months. You should ALWAYS change your oil EVERY 3 months regardless of how many km's you've driven.

JMO and the knowledge that's been past on to me. :bana

[x_o_k_x]

^^They should changed it before they sell it to you in that case.

[jliu]

^^They should changed it before they sell it to you in that case.

but it's too bad they don't. They should, but then again, all the dealership wants to do is make money, just like everyone else... sigh... lol

[aris]

no your first oil change is at 8000km....not 3000 to 4000km.

As for me i am going to switch to synthetic when my car is off warrenty...cause after the car comes off warrenty i will be changing it my self

Haha...i ended up switching to synthetic before my warrenty finshed:chuckle

[liquidzyklon]

Haha...i ended up switching to synthetic before my warrenty finshed:chuckleYou must have found a good deal for you to switch over so soon.

[Bai]

Haha...i ended up switching to synthetic before my warrenty finshed:chuckle

So what did you notice? Not in your pocket..:chuckle..lol..but to your engine after switching?

[aris]

You must have found a good deal for you to switch over so soon.

No i had some left over from my truck so i used them..lol

[aris]

So what did you notice? Not in your pocket..:chuckle..lol..but to your engine after switching?

I never noticed much difference..I just like using synthetic oil better..lol

[DreamM3]

I never noticed much difference..I just like using synthetic oil better..lol

For me, when switching to synthetic, it's la night and day difference... accelerates quicker, smoother, quieter, faster. My mother, who has neevr driven in her life even noticed it from the passenger seat.

[mazda lover]

For me, when switching to synthetic, it's la night and day difference... accelerates quicker, smoother, quieter, faster. My mother, who has neevr driven in her life even noticed it from the passenger seat.

I notice no difference, no diff in gas mileage performance etc.. I think its all in your head, I do mean that in a nice way... like when you wash,wax,vacuum, clean the glass etc you feel the car is running better, smoother, faster etc...am I right...