Synthetic oil

I have an 06 impala and I'm thinking about switching to synthetic oil. Has anyone tried this? Does it increase gas mileage?

You may some some very slight improvement, it does make for better starting in cold weather and less engine wear.

I use it and like it. I can go 5000 miles between oil changes instead of the recommended 3000. A bit pricy, another $20-25 per change if I have a shop do it.

Bob

I have an 06 impala and I'm thinking about switching to synthetic oil. Has anyone tried this? Does it increase gas mileage?

I would try the synthetic engine oil. before you change to synthetic get a good MPG calculation...then after 300mi.on the synthetic start cal. of the MPG...I would say 1-2 mpg increase,also in very cold weather faster crank and smoother cold idle...you may also notice the vehicle will coast farther when taking your foot off the throttle...

changing the oil at 8,ooomi is safe...thats my interval...so you end up paying about the same except you save on fuel/engine wear...with synthetic..I use mobil 1..at costco it is 35.oo/6pack....2x conventoinal oil cost.
If you do this report what you found good/bad..

I'm surprised you guys don't lengthen the interval you keep the synthetic oil in your engine. I use Mobil 1 and keep it in 12,000 miles/1 year. About halfway through this time period i change just the filter and top off the oil level to compensate for any loss due to the filter change. My oil still is clean towards the end of the cycle.

I've been running Amzoil in my Malibu for 100,000 miles, changing the filter every 5,000 miles and the oil every 20,000 miles. The engine burns no oil and gives me 30+ MPG. I'm sold!

I'm surprised you guys don't lengthen the interval you keep the synthetic oil in your engine. I use Mobil 1 and keep it in 12,000 miles/1 year. About halfway through this time period i change just the filter and top off the oil level to compensate for any loss due to the filter change. My oil still is clean towards the end of the cycle.

I replace at 8,000mi.. but my co-worker replaces the oil on his honda every 20,ooomi, and the filter at 5,ooomi...he has 200,ooomi on the engine with no problems....synthetic is the superior product...

..I use mobil 1..at costco it is 35.oo/6pack....2x conventoinal oil cost...

The Wal-Berg in my area sells M1 in 5-quart jugs for about $23 (It must be an exclusive marketing agreement, since no one but Wal-Mart has 5-quart jugs). I shop there once or twice a year just to buy about 5-6 jugs, and try to get out ASAP.

The Wal-Berg in my area sells M1 in 5-quart jugs for about $23 (It must be an exclusive marketing agreement, since no one but Wal-Mart has 5-quart jugs). I shop there once or twice a year just to buy about 5-6 jugs, and try to get out ASAP.
In my area, I noticed last year Mobil 1 was selling for $26 a 5 qt. container. Then Wal Mart came out with their own brand of synthetic in a 5 qt blue bottle for $16.99. Then I noticed the Mobil 1 reduced it's price to $19.99. Now it's selling for about $23-$24. I use the Wal Mart synthetic in my small engines.

I currently use Shell Rotella synthetic in my truck and motorcycles and dino oil in both cars. My next oil change I plan on using the Wal Mart synthetic to give it a try. I have been using the Super Tech dino oil with very good results. I am glad to see that someone else uses the Wal Mart synthetic.

I just had my oil changed. I'm going to wait for the next scheduled to switch to synthetic. Its cold up here (CT) so anything that will start / run better in the cold is worth the cost.

Dave I don't know which Synthetic Brands are the best. However I believe in synthetic oil. Eight years ago I bought a 94 GrandAm with 139000 miles for my daughter and the previous owner had used Quaker State full synthetic. But like many GM 3.1L it had a Intake manifold coolent leak. When I tore into it it was the cleanest old engine I had ever seen. It is still going strong today with over 213000 miles. Since then I have switched all my vehicles to Synthetic and only change oil 5,000 to 7,000 miles. My work car is a 96 Monte Carlo and it has 198000 plus miles... Tranny is tired but engine runs like a charm. I'm a believer...

I have an 06 impala and I'm thinking about switching to synthetic oil. Has anyone tried this? Does it increase gas mileage?


Dave_s,

Just passing through and noticed your question. Both my truck and car is currently using Mobil 1 and have been using it since it was introduced and can be bought from my area.

In my opinion synthetic stays cleaner longer so just for that I'm a hard core user to begin with. Assuming the manual wants you to use 5W-30 weight oil I'd stay with that grade/weight. Many brands are available in that weight so chose the brand you can afford reasonable. My area has Quaker State "Q" synthetic for slightly less than my M1. I've tried this oil and found it to be a fine oil to boot.

If you in it for the gas mileage then I can't say much cuz my thinking is it's all in how heavy the gas pedal is. For myself I'm in it for the engine longvity and superior lube qualities.

If your not sure then it doesn't hurt to try it a couple times and see. Continue to change your oil as prescribed.

Mail Clerk

I have a 2006 Impala and started using full synthetic (Pennsoil) about a year ago and checked the mailage on a long trip and it improved about 1-2 miles per gallon. I agree with the other posts on longer terms between changing and less wear and tear.

I have a 2006 Impala and started using full synthetic (Pennsoil) about a year ago and checked the mailage on a long trip and it improved about 1-2 miles per gallon. I agree with the other posts on longer terms between changing and less wear and tear.

bobl99,

Personally I don't agree with longer than prescribed oil changes because it does no good IF the oil filter hasn't the capacity to go a longer stretch. I can only suggest if a larger filter can be adapted. Many filter can be.

Mail Clerk

personally i would NEVER put pennsoil in my impala, WAY TO MUCH WAX! I've torn down motors with pennsoil used in them and seen nothing but wax build up. they have put a lebel on saying that they have reduced the wax. but i doubt it.

I personlay use "Q" horsepower full synthetic in my impala, and did notice a boost in my take off power. as far as gas milage i have no idea, way to heavy of a foot. hope this helps you, im a believer.

Sincerely,
Impala Racer:evillol:

bobl99,

Personally I don't agree with longer than prescribed oil changes because it does no good IF the oil filter hasn't the capacity to go a longer stretch. I can only suggest if a larger filter can be adapted. Many filter can be.

Mail Clerk

An alternative to using a larger filter would be to change just the oil filter 1/2 way through the time period you plan on keeping the oil in your engine. That's what I do with great results. I figure I usually keep my oil in about 1 year or 12,000 miles, so I just change the filter at 6 months or 6,000 miles and top off the oil level to compensate for any loss during the filter change. If you plan on a different time frame then just split it in half and figure at which point to replace the filter.

personally i would NEVER put pennsoil in my impala, WAY TO MUCH WAX! I've torn down motors with pennsoil used in them and seen nothing but wax build up. they have put a lebel on saying that they have reduced the wax. but i doubt it.

I personlay use "Q" horsepower full synthetic in my impala, and did notice a boost in my take off power. as far as gas milage i have no idea, way to heavy of a foot. hope this helps you, im a believer.

Sincerely,
Impala Racer:evillol:


IR,

I'm surprised at your statement that Pennzoil has wax in it. I've heard from others forums that Pennzoil Platinum is considered a fantastic synthetic oil!

For myself I'm pretty impressed with "Q" synthetic. My Durango appears to like it as I had no issues with it at all and it's a little less than Mobil 1 but not by very much.

Mail Clerk

An alternative to using a larger filter would be to change just the oil filter 1/2 way through the time period you plan on keeping the oil in your engine. That's what I do with great results. I figure I usually keep my oil in about 1 year or 12,000 miles, so I just change the filter at 6 months or 6,000 miles and top off the oil level to compensate for any loss during the filter change. If you plan on a different time frame then just split it in half and figure at which point to replace the filter.


97venturnowner,

Yes that would be a good alternative but unpractacle in my opinion uless you change your own oil. We can't do that in California do to EPA standards. Besides I'm an old fart with old habits. I'd still change the filter regardless.

Mail Clerk

97venturnowner,

Yes that would be a good alternative but unpractacle in my opinion uless you change your own oil. We can't do that in California do to EPA standards. Besides I'm an old fart with old habits. I'd still change the filter regardless.

Mail Clerk

Sorry, haven't been keeping up on the latest changes to the EPA standards. Let's hope other states don't adopt that policy, for some it would be a hardship. My comment was made, knowing generally most of the people on this forum are DIYers and do their own changes, (and for some it's knowing that the job is being done right :lol:)
I'm surprised at your statement that Pennzoil has wax in it. I've heard from others forums that Pennzoil Platinum is considered a fantastic synthetic oil!
On regards to the wax issue, I'm not sure the synthetic version of Pennzoil has paraffin in it's composition, but the conventional version does, as opposed to shale based oils.

97ventureowner,

So sorry dude I must be off the subject. I had thought we were talking about synthetic oil instead of conventional. Forgive me.

Mail Clerk

My "84" caprice has 330k mi. on the odometer. Mobil 1 15w50 ,red cap, is what has been used since the car was new. Less a 5k break period with normal mobil oil. Wife drives 55 mi per day. Engine still does not use any oil to speak of. Change oil at 6-7k interval with a Quality filter at 3k interval. Engine will probably outlast the rest of the car. The overdrive tranny probably helps the engine to live longer also. There are quite a few great synthetic oils no the market today. Can't go wrong with any of them. Using a synthetic oil helps make us less dependent on "IMPORTED" oil.

NOVAZ27

My car is a 06 SS with 32000 i use mobil 1 and i change my oil faithfully when my oil life monitor reaches 50% regardless of miles which by the way varies from 3000 to 4200 miles depends on how much fun ive been having in the car.