Synthetic oil vs conventional oil

[m_bisson]

What's better to use? I know synthetic is "better" for the car but it's not better for my wallet. My parents have never run sythnetic oil on any of their cars, and a couple of them made it to 300000k.

Is it worth the extra money? Or does it only help people who race?

[W_L89]

it's worth it if you plan to keep your car for a while. also if you do it yourself, you can buy synthetic on sale for not much more than $20.

and racing synthietic oil is different from the synthetic you can buy at walmart, CT etc

[m_bisson]

how is it worth it though? If conventional oil will keep the engine going to 300000k or more, why do I need synthetic?

[TheMAN]

the cost can be the same if you change the synthetic oil 2x or 3x less often than dino, but at the same time still having way better protection and improved fuel economy from your engine

[m_bisson]

how often do you need to change synthetic?

[aris]

how often do you need to change synthetic?

I change mine every 12,000km

[standsideways]

do some reading on synthetic motor oils.


very few are FULLY synthetic.

google synthetic motor oil and start reading.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

do some reading on synthetic motor oils.


very few are FULLY synthetic.

google synthetic motor oil and start reading.

+1. Also suggest you do a search on this site too first. There are numerous threads already concerning dino oil vs. synthetic etc., so we don't exactly need more of them.

[Cardinal Fang]

Farking mods

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Farking mods

Stop stalking me. :)

[Nova 3 GT]

I think our cars are OEM filled with regular dino oil. Unless the user's manual or the oil cap says it needs synthetic oil, IMHO it's a waste of money. I do my oil change every 4 months and nothing has gone wrong with my 2.3 engine.

[m_bisson]

+1. Also suggest you do a search on this site too first. There are numerous threads already concerning dino oil vs. synthetic etc., so we don't exactly need more of them.

i was asking for opinions from people who use it. 2 Year old threads don't help much :P i'd rather ask those same people how their car is NOW, 2 years later. get it? :)

[MAZDA Kitten]

how often do you need to change synthetic?

I change mine every 10,000 - 12,000
Mobil1 Synethic jug is only $19 at American Wal Mart

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

i was asking for opinions from people who use it. 2 Year old threads don't help much :P i'd rather ask those same people how their car is NOW, 2 years later. get it? :)

Ya, I get it, which is why I left the thread open. This said, a quick search will show you that this has been covered extensively on this site and the posts are not 2 years old. A wealth of really detailed info and opinions to be found by a quick few clicks...

[RedRaptor]

I've been using synthetic since 3000km and now I'm approaching 130,000km. Change intervals are at 8,000km to 10,000km depending on my schedule.

Engine doesn't burn a drop of oil and so far everything is good with my 04 2.3L engine.

[Reegs]

Food for thought:

I recently went to ajax Mazda with a Jug of Synthetic motor oil, and was going to make the switch. I'm currently at 13000kms. I was told by someone who I am beginning to trust at the service department that I was wasting my money. They weren't persistent in telling me that I shouldn't do it, just telling me the facts. They told me that most mechanics don't even use it. Honestly, I still don't know what to do. I decided not to put it in, because I was told Mazda uses semi-synthetic oil anyways. Also was told during the warranty its not good to go over the recommended 8,000 oil changes anyways. So to me, from the information that I've come across over the last fear years, if you change your oil every 8,000kms with regular oil, I'd say you're good to go. Maybe after the warranty is up, then maybe go to the synthetic as the warranty issue wont matter. However I've heard you need to put synthetic oil at the beginning of the engine's life. Honestly guys I have no idea after that rant lol Anyways, I've got regular oil in my car right now, and I change it promptly after 8,000kms. We'll see where that takes me.

Any thoughts?

[RedRaptor]

Any thoughts?

The dealership isn't wrong in their advice, however they are only offering you an option, which is that synthetic oil is a waste of money. A lot of people feel this way about synthetic while others swear by it.

Pros of Synthetic Oil:
-Protects your engine
-Last Longer
-Good for people who drive their cars hard.

Cons of Synthetic Oil:
-Costs more than dino.

So...if you don't plan to keep the car "forever" and you don't drive your car hard at all, you can stick with the regular dino at the recommended oil change intervals.

However, if you do beat on your car (hopefully just on the track) and you just don't have time to go in for an oil change every 8,000km and would rather go in at 10,000km and also you are keen on keeping the car engine protected, you should go with synthetic oil.

Synthetic oil changes cost $20 more and protects your engine better.

My opinion is, thats a drop in the bucket in the amount of money you would spend to resolve engine problems. Synthetic oil might or not might save your engine, but for $20 more...its just cheap insurance and I don't even think about it.

[Gen1GT]

If you extend oil change intervals by 2000 kms, the oil pays for itself. If you look at my thread, "Gen1GT's Adventures in Fuel Economy," you'd see that synthetic oil improves fuel economy by 1 MPG over dino oil. Combine that with the extra protection factor, and I think it's a no brainer. Longer oil changer intervals, better fuel economy and better protection. Why is this even an option?

[philipfreire]

I got a regular 3 and within the first 3000km I did my first oil change to synthetic. Do I really feel the difference? No. Do I see the difference, right now no. But in time I will see how clean my oil looks and how my engine preforms.

Honestly, you will be just fine with regular oil. If you dont race or push it hard, don't worry about it.
Mind you I dont push mine hard either, I just want peace of mind and it gives me that so far. We'll see results later on!

[alho]

When you guys say push it hard... you mean like reving past 4k rmp, 5k rpm, 6k rpm?!

Im running the original Mazda stuff and I do like to have fun with it once in a while :)

[Reegs]

When you guys say push it hard... you mean like reving past 4k rmp, 5k rpm, 6k rpm?!

Im running the original Mazda stuff and I do like to have fun with it once in a while :)

I think Pushing it hard means on a track.... consistently at high rpms.

[Gen1GT]

Living on the rev limiter is pushing it hard. 4000 RPM is for grandmas.

[CanSpeed 3]

If you swap from 5w20 to synthetic im still buying 5w20 but in a synthetic blend right?

[blankets3]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jewzO6fkPDg

nuff said

[standsideways]

If you swap from 5w20 to synthetic im still buying 5w20 but in a synthetic blend right?

depends on wich brand you choose.

[aris]

If you swap from 5w20 to synthetic im still buying 5w20 but in a synthetic blend right?

Yes you can buy 5w20 in synthetic