[TR] Non TR question

[Mark Hooper]

A non-Triumph question, but at least automotive in nature.

I have a 2006 Cadillac DTS. That's the unit with a Northstar 32-valve V8.

The car requires oil changes about every 20,000km (12,500 miles) according to
the dash oil-life read-out and to the e-mail updates I get from the company.

I recall seeing a press release that GM had signed a deal in 2007 to fill the
Northstar line with Mobil 1 which is a synthetic oil. Consequently I re-filled
with Mobil1 when the need for an oil change arose. I like synthetic with its
longer life. I used synthetic in my buick Regal 3.8l engine from 1992-2007
with nary a single drop leaking for 360,000 km and the engine was still
running very smoothly.

I went to the dealer recently to get a scheduled check-up and oil change. When
making sure that they were using the right stuff, I was told that they used
only regular oil. The guy at the desk looked at me with great sympathy for my
stupidity at putting the wrong oil in my car and swore up and down that no
Cadillac had ever used anything but mouldy ooze from a forgotten jungle. In a
moment of weakness I let them fill with regular oil.

I have never heard of a regular oil being used for 20,000km; especially on a
high-compression 4-valve/cylinder engine. I am worried that my car is now
counting down from 20,000 km with inadequate rubbish that will give out at
5,000 km.

Am I wrong, or should I be glad that I do not have telekinisis and thus the
dealer's employee has been saved from a truly dreadful fate brought on by a
tragic coincidence of heavy metal hammers, a barrel of peanut butter and a
brass turkey baster?

Mark Hooper
1972 TR6