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Started By
Message
Synthetic or Conventional Oil
Posted on 3/28/15 at 10:05 am
Posted on 3/28/15 at 10:05 am
I bought a 2008 Sierra a couple of months ago and it's getting close to time to change the oil for the first time since I've had it. I've never used synthetic before. I've always used high mileage conventional oil. What are the pros and cons of synthetic oil?
10
Posted on 3/28/15 at 10:49 am to damonster
I use synthetic for longer intervals between changes
Posted on 3/28/15 at 10:57 am to damonster
If you're using high mileage stuff in it right now, continue to do so for the life of the truck. Don't switch back to regular dino or synthetic
When I change it myself, I run Amsoil on 8k intervals with a filter change at 4k. When I just go to get it done, I go 3-5k. My right foot works the truck pretty hard though.
I use synthetic fluids everywhere else because they don't get changed very often.
Pros: lubricates better (don't know specifically how much)
Cons: more expensive
When I change it myself, I run Amsoil on 8k intervals with a filter change at 4k. When I just go to get it done, I go 3-5k. My right foot works the truck pretty hard though.
I use synthetic fluids everywhere else because they don't get changed very often.
Pros: lubricates better (don't know specifically how much)
Cons: more expensive
Posted on 3/28/15 at 11:03 am to Hammertime
I don't know what the previous owner used but if it won't hurt anything I would like to not have to change the oil every 3k miles.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 11:28 am to damonster
Use whatever the mfg calls for, especially if it's one that drop cylinders for mileage reasons.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 11:40 am to damonster
Use what the book tells you to use, change it when the light comes on.
My truck has 220k miles on it and doesn't burn enough to notice and the oil was never changed before the light came on. Sometimes it was upwards of 6k miles with regular oil. The ECM monitors a whole lot more than just mileage and knows better than you when it needs to be changed.
My truck has 220k miles on it and doesn't burn enough to notice and the oil was never changed before the light came on. Sometimes it was upwards of 6k miles with regular oil. The ECM monitors a whole lot more than just mileage and knows better than you when it needs to be changed.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 12:29 pm to bootlegger
quote:
I use synthetic for longer intervals between changes
+1
I run Royal Purple in my 2010 Yukon Denali and go by the computer oil life gauge. It will usually last about 10-12k miles for each change. It's a bit pricier oil but I like knowing my babe is getting taken care of.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 12:43 pm to damonster
Both my Ford and wife's Honda use a blended oil. Not synthetic. This is what the dealership is saying.
Oil changes about every 7-8k miles.
Oil changes about every 7-8k miles.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 1:00 pm to bapple
+1 for Royal Purple or Amzoil. Do it!!
Posted on 3/28/15 at 1:06 pm to damonster
Go with full synthetic. It'll get you 10,000 miles between changes. It's more expensive but if you think about it, changing conventional every 3,000, it comes out to the same price in the end.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 2:34 pm to upgrayedd
I use mobil 1 full synth. change it every 6k miles or so. Always heard good things about royal purple tho
Posted on 3/28/15 at 2:53 pm to upgrayedd
quote:
changing conventional every 3,000
Does anybody actually do this though? I always go 5,000 with conventional. I've done it with a car that is going over 200,000 this coming week, no problems.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 3:49 pm to Tigris
quote:
Does anybody actually do this though?
Yep my last truck, a 2001 chevy 3/4 ton 6.0, had the oil changed in it every 3000 miles plus or minus a couple hundred miles. It had a tick over 230k when I sold it a few months ago.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 4:04 pm to damonster
I always go full synthetic on my 99 Silverado, I'm close to 240k. Only change when the light comes on.
Synthetic runs cleaner, sometimes "too clean": some people find if you switch from regular, you develop some leaks around the gaskets etc. The synthetic is breaking down some gunk that had built up and sealed up leaks.
Conventional is often considered "better" during those cold startup periods. I think synthetic is a little runnier, and in that first minute you might have better lube from conventional... although there's a lot of progress being made.
Really, the oil filter might be a bigger issue. Lots of people use Fram, which is near the bottom of the list, actually. Spend a few bucks more and use Wix.
Synthetic runs cleaner, sometimes "too clean": some people find if you switch from regular, you develop some leaks around the gaskets etc. The synthetic is breaking down some gunk that had built up and sealed up leaks.
Conventional is often considered "better" during those cold startup periods. I think synthetic is a little runnier, and in that first minute you might have better lube from conventional... although there's a lot of progress being made.
Really, the oil filter might be a bigger issue. Lots of people use Fram, which is near the bottom of the list, actually. Spend a few bucks more and use Wix.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 4:29 pm to Tigris
I do it because I drive my truck hard. Regular dino and 3500-5000. Only costs $40 at the place, so I get it done there when I don't have time do do it myself
Posted on 3/28/15 at 4:43 pm to Tigris
I go 10k miles
Posted on 3/28/15 at 5:59 pm to damonster
quote:
I've always used high mileage conventional oil.
High-mileage oils are usually synthetic blends. Since you've been using the stuff you've already made your decision from here on out. Stick with what you've been doing, that engine will last plenty long.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 7:04 pm to damonster
All of my petrochemical engineering semi auto mechanic advice givers tell me, stick with one or the other... If the engine has ran either all of its life, then stick with it. Don't swap.
(Unless you want to, it IS yours after all)
(Unless you want to, it IS yours after all)
Posted on 3/28/15 at 8:07 pm to damonster
Synthetic oil allows you to run longer between oil changes (5k-7.5k per change vs 3k-5k per change on conventional which is what the oil itself usually advertises for a "top tier" oil such as Mobil 1 or Castrol Edge). It will also carry more impurities in the oil itself, with your filter being the limiting factor. The only real "con" is the price per change but it's not higher cost per milage.
All newer vehicles to my knowledge have computers that calculate when the life of the oil should be ready for a change, but that requires you to put your trust in something that has a potential to be wrong.
In a GMC with AFM make a point to check your oil level every so often they have a tendency to burn more than normal.
All newer vehicles to my knowledge have computers that calculate when the life of the oil should be ready for a change, but that requires you to put your trust in something that has a potential to be wrong.
In a GMC with AFM make a point to check your oil level every so often they have a tendency to burn more than normal.
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