Synthetic Fluids

[EngineandJuice]

If you want to switch to synthetic oil would you just go about changing your oil like normal? Wouldn't this cause a blend of old oil and the new synthetic? Would you just swtich to synthetic and less and less regular oil would remain after each oil change?

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by EngineandJuice

If you want to switch to synthetic oil would you just go about changing your oil like normal?

Yes, that's all there is to it.

Wouldn't this cause a blend of old oil and the new synthetic?

That won't matter. They sell synthetic blends for your engine, and that's basically the same thing. Eventually as you change your oil, after a few changes the amount of conventional oil should be about nil in your engine.

[EngineandJuice]

thank u

[96capricemgr]

I would just keep the first oil change on the synthetic fairly short, 3000 mile max, maybe even change the filter at 1000 miles. The synthetic will do some cleaning of old sludge and stuff left behind, the filter will pick it up.

If not going to longer oil change intervals than 3000 then don't waste your money on synthetic. The 94-96 cars have an oil change light and it is a decent guide for concervative use of synthetics. Be warned that "conventional wisdom" as far as what is good brand /weight to use is based on marketing and contradictory to facts.

['97ventureowner]

I leave the synthetic in my engines for a year or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Halfway through that time period I'll change the filter only and top off the oil to compensate for loss during the filter change.
On those vehicles which have an oil life monitor, I reset it when it gets down to the end of the "countdown". I'll do that roughly 3 times during the time period i have the current oil in the engine. Although these oil life monitors use several calculations to determine oil life and are calibrated for conventional oil use. From my past experiences with these systems, they average between 2500 to 4000 miles, so I use that determination when I reset my system and go by those figures.

[96capricemgr]

Do you have any MEASURED data from your use that indicates a 12000 mile interval is acceptable??

There is only one forum on the entire web I know of to get actual good measured data on oils. ALL car forums like this one just have the same rumors and marketing propeganda as well as individual misconceptions spread even when they contradict measured data.

On the LT1 cars those who pay for used oil analysis and watch the oil change light say it is a fairly good guide with shynthetics. With a regular oil it may still technically be servicable but the guys who actually care about MEASURED data do not run things to the ragged edge. If doing used oil analysis it is possible to responsibly stretch out oil changes a LONG ways but if not actually measuring the condition of the oil in your actual use blindly stretching intervals that long is irresponsible.

This is one of my biggest pet peeves on car forums, vastly more bad info out there about oiol than good.

This is the only good online forum for finding MEASURED data about oil in actual use. I keep harping on MEASURED because most people who are quick to recommend something are not even aware we have a way of testing for the truth.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php
They have a whole section dedicated to folks like you and me being able to share the MEASURED results from our used oil in every application you can think of. The search feature kind of stinks but this is real data not the marketting BS most quote.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by 96capricemgr

Do you have any MEASURED data from your use that indicates a 12000 mile interval is acceptable??

There is only one forum on the entire web I know of to get actual good measured data on oils. ALL car forums like this one just have the same rumors and marketing propeganda as well as individual misconceptions spread even when they contradict measured data.

On the LT1 cars those who pay for used oil analysis and watch the oil change light say it is a fairly good guide with shynthetics. With a regular oil it may still technically be servicable but the guys who actually care about MEASURED data do not run things to the ragged edge. If doing used oil analysis it is possible to responsibly stretch out oil changes a LONG ways but if not actually measuring the condition of the oil in your actual use blindly stretching intervals that long is irresponsible.

This is one of my biggest pet peeves on car forums, vastly more bad info out there about oiol than good.

This is the only good online forum for finding MEASURED data about oil in actual use. I keep harping on MEASURED because most people who are quick to recommend something are not even aware we have a way of testing for the truth.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php
They have a whole section dedicated to folks like you and me being able to share the MEASURED results from our used oil in every application you can think of. The search feature kind of stinks but this is real data not the marketting BS most quote.

What I stated in my posts is purely what I personally do. It is not a recommendation but rather meant to show the person asking the question an option. It is up to them to do the research and ask relavent questions to make their own decisions. I have NO MEASURED DATA as what I do is within my own comfort zone. Other people may have different comfort zones where they leave their oil in for longer than 12,000 miles/1 year, or any time less than that. Before I do something I set out and do a lot of research. I then analyze it to how i can use it to fit MY needs and situation. I'm not saying or implying that everybody has to follow what I do , I just say what I'm comfortable with. I know for a fact that synthetic is better in many situations and you can extend the change interval to take advantage of that. I usually change my oil anywheres between 3 to 5,000 miles , so I extrapolated it out that a year would fit my particular situation. Someone else may have different conditions in which they drive in or other circumstances which would dictate a different change interval. Yes, testing your oil can be a good thing to keep things in check, but most people don't care or have the time to do the testing and also factor in the costs involved. Many don't give a second thought to it and just change their oil and go on their way.
Next time please read posts a little more carefully before you reply and you;ll see that I wasn't making a recommendation but rather stating what I personally do. Anybody can use that info to come up with their own standards.