>OK, so now the question raised is ... if using synthetic oil, how far/long
>do you go between oil changes? I've heard people claim that since it's
>synthetic it doesn't break down as quick (or at all?) that the higher
>price paid for it can be offset by running it much longer. One guy I know
>claims he simply changes his filter at 3000 mile intervals and waits to
>change his oil at 6000 mile intervals.
I know I am going to catch flack for this one, but.....
I have used Mobil 1 since 1980, and I use a once a year or 20,000 mile,
whichever comes first, change interval. Since 1980, I have had all of my
vehicles for 165,000 to 195,000 miles and have had no oil related failures
and very little oil consumption. Our 1988 SAAB 9000, with 125,000, uses
none, ZERO oil between changes of approx 15,000 miles. It was broken in on
"regular" oil, to 9000 miles. The Chevy Cavalier (daily beater) with 99,000
miles uses approximately one quart in 10,000 miles. It didn't get synthetic
until 45,000 miles. A toyota Corolla we owned did burn a fair bit of oil,
but it was abused, prior to my taking care of the maintainence.
This oil and change interval has been very successful for me and, as a
bonus, it is less costly than the 3,000 or 7,500 miles intervals I used
before changing to synthetic.
My TR3 was just converted to Mobil 1 20W-50, and I anticipate annual
changes, but this will be less than 2,500 miles per oil change.
As an aside, I am planning on completing a switch to Redline products later
this summer.
I am a firm believer in synthetics; I use synthetic greases and I am
switching over to using synthetic tranny lubes too. The TR gearbox is on
Redline MTL, the SAAB will follow soon.
Synthetics are more expensive in the short run, but I believe, from my
personnal experience, that they will result in lower overall expenses in the
long haul.
JME (just my experience), YMMV
Jack Brooks
1960 TR3A, TS69032L, 51,700 miles, Mobil 1 20W-50
1974 Norton Commando, 29,000 miles, Klotz 40 wt synthetic
1988 SAAB 9000, 125,000 miles, Mobil 1 10W-30
1989 Chevy Cavalier (yeah, yeah, I know) 99,000 miles, Mobil 1 10W-30
1992 Snapper lawnmower, 4 Hp Briggs and Stratton, 40 wt Klotz synthetic
1989 Chain saw, synthetic 2 cycle oil
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