Car Court

Posted by Coastman (A) on August 18, 2004 at 09:24:07

In Reply to: What's the word on sythetic oil? posted by albee33 on August 14, 2004 at 22:41:24:

I have gone around and around on this issue. I have done the 3K changes, and have decided that this is just a marketing device. I now feel that following the manufacturer's recommended change interval is just fine. The definition that they give for "severe use" really would only apply in a taxicab application, or if you were towing an excessively heavy trailer.

As far as synthetic oil goes, I really do not think this is necessary, nor will it substantially lengthen the life of your engine. I would also point out that most of the time you will trade your vehicle in long before you would really see any gains from synthetic oil in terms of longetivity.

Having said all of this, if you are committed to using a synthetic, then I would do it, but would follow the change interval for "normal use". I think it is a waste of money, however. Conventional oils are much, much better than the oils of even a few years ago.