Safe to change to synthetic

[Jimmiz71]

I just wanted to know Desertmike1's reason for saying "Dont do It!!" During the summer months is when I do alot of traveling to Upstate New York, Maine, New Hampshire I encounter alot of steep mountains and with my trailer wanted to make sure I'm running the oil that will best protect my truck when its hot as hell outside and I'm putting miles on my truck. Thanks everyone for your reply's!
-Jimmy

[WannaOwnAZ71]

I use Mobil 1 in my 99 volvo T5. I use 1/4 qt between 7500 mile changes. I used Castrol 100% syntec in my 87 Accord...it went 287000 with minimal oil use between 5k changes.... I stake my life on synthetic.

[desertmike1]

Jimmiz71,
sorry I didn't get back sooner, but I just fineshed setting up my new computer (2.8ghz P4 T3 connection) this bad boy halls A*
I'm looking for the oil dip-stick on this thing!

Any how I'll give you a few of my own thoughts about Synthetic oils, based on other threads I've read and people I have spoken with over the years.

Before I get started I would like to say that I have no dout in my mind that non petrolium based oils are good stuff, in fact Synthetic oil is the only approved lubricant used in Turbine powered aircraft flying all over the sky, but keep in mind that the manufacture of these engines spend a ton of money getting them certified.
This is were I draw the line, I'll let chevy be the ginny pig.

I'll make a list of what I have heard and read about the pro's & con's

Pro-
- Exl lubricant.
- Better for extreem cold wheather.
- Better for extreem hot wheather. (oil has a 30deg higher opperating tempurature)
- Good for turbocharged engines, do to the fact it cools and lubricates the turbine bearings.
- Longer oil change intervals?
- Slower oil brake-down.

Con-
- Expensive.
- Small engine oil leaks become bigger
- dry engines begin leaking oil
- oil consumption?
- oil pressure drops app 5psi?

You have 80,000 solid miles on your truck, and it sounds like you take good care of it, do you really want to turn it into a chevy "test bed"

Any how these are my own personal thoughts (two cents worth)

-Mike

[Jimmiz71]

Mike, Thanks for the info, right now my truck consumes no oil between changes and I really have no complaints with what I'm using, The last thing I want is for my motor to start leaking =( Ill probably just stick with the Valvoline High mileage with the Lucas stabilizer Ive been using. Thanks for the advise =)
-Jimmy

[jeverett]

The chevy I have now is the only truck I've ever had that doesn't burn oil!!!!!!! Man it feels good not to have to check it every day. I know this doesn't have anything to do witht he post, I just had to tell someone. SOrry

[Jimmiz71]

Jayson,,, What kind of oil do you use?? How Many miles on your truck now? I agree with you, My 79' burns oil and it sucks to have to check it all the time, with my z71 (the babied truck) I inspect under the hood every few weeks unless im taking a trip, but it is sweet not to have to worry about it all the time.
-Jimmy

[chevytrucks92]

Jimmiz71, I use Valvoline MaxLife as well (10W 30, with STP Oil Treatment) and I have a 92 Silverado with 115,000 and it doesn't use oil nor leak oil. I love it. And I have also heard that an engine on synthetic oil will leak faster then one with regular.

[jeverett]

Originally Posted by Jimmiz71

Jayson,,, What kind of oil do you use?? How Many miles on your truck now? I agree with you, My 79' burns oil and it sucks to have to check it all the time, with my z71 (the babied truck) I inspect under the hood every few weeks unless im taking a trip, but it is sweet not to have to worry about it all the time.
-Jimmy

I either use Valvoline 5w-30, or Chevron 5w-30. I use what the factory recommends, even though I've used 10w-30 in all my other rides. I haven't had the slightest problem at all so far, no leaks, no smoke, and it really doesnt knock when you start it up unless its reeeally cold. OH I forgot, I have almost 90K on mine right now. And trust me, they aren't easy miles sometimes.

[Jimmiz71]

I lucked out Mine came with a block heater, Up here in New England It gets pretty damn cold.. I just plug it in and its good to go in the morning..
-Jimmy

[rositis]

Once again I must say DONT use the stabalizer. I have seen test on other web sites and its proven NOT to work. It actually hurts not helps. Todays oils are chemically balanced by people that know alot more about oil then we do. Adding a bottle of addative to it does nothing but mess up that balance that the oil manf. intended. If i can find that web site I will post.

[Jimmiz71]

oh.. i thought you meant dont use the stabilizer with synthetic, which i DIDN'T plan on doing,,, anyways before I started using it my truck ran rougher when cold and after adding it my engine has smoother starts. How does it do damage to my engine? The only reason i add it is to lubricate better when starting cold..
I would be interested in seeing the details on this product.
Thanks Rostis,
-Jimmy

[rositis]

here is the test this guy did. it has alot of good info on his site.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/images/lucas/lucas.htm

[jeep_cj4x4]

Hello all. This is my first post here. Lots of great info. I was reading some of the posts on oil and noticed 90% of you mention you use Mobil 1 in one form or another. I also notice a negative response to Pensoil. I switched to syntethic about 3 oil changes ago because I've always heard what good syn is and decided to do what I could to help protect my investment. Now, my question is this. Like I said I notived alot of you recommend Moble 1, I have always been a Castrol guy. What are your opinions on Castrol?

Thanks for the input.

[silveradoman]

I also use CAstrol 10W-40, the thing is if I use 20w_50 in the summer am I just hurting the mileage? It is very common to get 100 degree plus heat in the summer everyday over here and everybody I talk to down here says 5w-30 will break down very very easily, what´s your opinion?

[jeep_cj4x4]

I use the Castrol Syntec 10-40. I know alot of the newer vehicles recommend the lower viscosity oils (5w-) but I dont know about the breakdown ratios. I just have always known 10-30 to be the all around weight so thats what I use. I just went from the GTX to Syntec.