? about Synthetic oils

[Joe_Black]

Y'all make some good points about regular oils and regular changing routines, that's just good practice. Where a true synthetic shines though is in its properties. The lubricity is far more consistent due to uniform size of the molecules, which are also less affected by temperature. You get better flow, less gunking and no build-up. If you switch a high mileage engine over to synthetics you should change the oil and filter at about 1000 miles as it will often cause the sludge and build-up left by regular oils to break free, potentially clogging the filter and/or oil galleries.

There is also the friction reducing properties that is an added benfit of the synthetic structure. After a complete switch to Mobil-1 I usually notice about a 2 - 3 MPG increase in economy in most vehicles. It made a big difference with the V-10 in my '01 F-250.

If you want a clean, well lubricated engine with the benefit of economy and longevity then synthetics are the way to go. If you're driving a flat-head V8 with loose tolerances or some other older vehicle, then don't worry about it. But with modern engineered drivetrains getting the most available power from tighter tolerances and pushing thermal boundaries, then the choice becomes much clearer.

You can watch this thread go on and on, back and forth, but if you want the real answer look in the real world. Mobil-1 has a product line that is very diverse: Racing, Aviation, Agriculture, Industrial etc. Pure synthetic lubricants meeting and exceeding the demands of some of the harshest and extreme environments people and equipment can operate in. Those are facts, happening everyday wherever you care to open your eyes and look.

[VX_PA]

This all boils down to my original advise:

CHANGE YOUR OIL OFTEN, CLEANER IS BETTER!!

Keep in mind that our VX engine is alot closer to a motorcycle engine than you think. It's all aluminum. Keep things smooth with clean oil.

[Cptnmorgan]

Don't forget about ROYAL PURPLE being another highly touted synthetic also.

[Navigator]

...Contaminants Change your oil and change it often is the key. Synthetics hold up better to stress and resist breakdown, but in the case of the VX, unless you have some major engine modifications, like SC, etc... Synthetics buy you peace of mind more than anything else. Change your oil every 3000 miles and your engine will thank you, use synthetic if you can afford it for added peace of mind and change it just as often. My 2cents

[joe-yamma]

I agree that changing the oil more often is better.

Where I disagree is where you guys run synthetic and change it every 3,000 miles. I really think that this is not necessary.

Again, I agree that this is not going to hurt our engine. I guess this is being on the safe safe safe side. I just think that it is overkill and I know that I can't afford to run Amsoil and change at 3,000 miles.

If you guys read some of Amsoil's website, maybe you'll change your opinion a little. (maybe not )
Either way, good points made by all.. I guess it just goes to show how much we all love our VX's and what nothing but the best for them!

Joe

[jeffkics]

I wrote AMSOIL an email about what they recommend for the 3.5L this is what they said:

In response to your inquiry, we recommend the use of our AMSOIL Series 2000 0W30 Severe Service Motor oil (product code TSO). This premium motor oil protects better in high temperatures than do the higher viscosity conventional and synthetic oils. Series 2000 retains excellent fluidity in extremely low temperatures, so it flows quickly and reliably to allow easy starting and immediate lubrication protection. This product may be used year round and is not affected by high ambient temperatures. The service life on Series 2000 is 35,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first. A complete description of this product can be found in the "PRODUCT INFORMATION" section of our website.

35,000 miles hahaha OMFG

[VX_PA]

Email them back and ask if they will cover the cost to replace your engine due to contaminates mixing with thier product. If they will pay for any repairs and labor involved, only then would I use their recommended change intervals. Good luck getting them to sign that in writing. Let us know what they tell you.

[joe-yamma]

35,000 seemed a bit long to me too.

Here is what the emailed me when I asked about fluids for the VX:

"We recommend the use of our AMSOIL Synthetic 5W30 (ASL) or our AMSOIL Series 2000 Synthetic 0W30 Motor Oil (TSO). The automatic transmission can use our AMSOIL Synthetic Universal Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF), and the differentials use our AMSOIL Series 2000 Synthetic 75W90 Gear Lube (TGR).
Here is a link to our AMSOIL Filter Finder tool, which will display all available filters for your needs. Simply fill in the vehicle information."
http://amsoil2.cpinternet.com/

Joe

[joe-yamma]

Originally posted by VX_PA
Email them back and ask if they will cover the cost to replace your engine due to contaminates mixing with thier product. If they will pay for any repairs and labor involved, only then would I use their recommended change intervals. Good luck getting them to sign that in writing. Let us know what they tell you.

Good idea... I'd like to know that too (since I'm using their intervals)

I'd like to see what they have to say about contaminates in general.

[jeffkics]

Originally posted by VX_PA
Email them back and ask if they will cover the cost to replace your engine due to contaminates mixing with thier product. If they will pay for any repairs and labor involved, only then would I use their recommended change intervals. Good luck getting them to sign that in writing. Let us know what they tell you.

http://www.amsoil.com/warranty.htm

Written on their site is 35,000 miles for light truck and car applications. Filter needs to be changed every 6 months, and oil topped off at that time.

http://www.amsoil.com/products/tso.html

http://www.amsoil.com/lit/g1490.pdf

[VX_PA]

Read their warranty policy very carefully. It contains alot of loopholes for them to deny a claim. The way it is written you'd have a hard time collecting anything from them if your engine fails. They will most likely claim that failure is caused by something other than their product.

I will still continue to change my oil every 3,000 miles. Better safe than sorry.

[skunkworks]

I have used Mobil 1 in everything since it came out and change every 5K. I have seen people go 25k with it and have seen it come out like a regular change and have seen it come out in chunks.
________
vaporgenie

[WyrreJ]

Americans tend to have a hang-up about 3K oil changes. Modern engine technology has gone way beyond the 3K number. But for some reason, the American market doesn't want to believe it. Many, otherwise identical, cars come with a 3K oil change recommendation in the USA, but 6-10K schedules in Europe and the Far East. Has anyone checked what the oil change interval is for Japanese VXs?

[joe-yamma]

That would be interesting... I bet it's more than 3,000 miles.

I was checking out Mobil1's website... Man, they don;t give you much info on there do they?

[Andrey]

Many years ago (before VX) I had a conversation with pro race driver. I asked him what oil he use in his day-to-day drive. He used plain regular motor oil but he changed it more often then recomended by manufacturer.
When it was time for me to make my first oil change on VX (at 2.000 miles) I had a dilemma of more expencive synthetic oil vs. more frequent changes. I've chose synthetic blend (Quaker State 4X4 synthetic blend) as it was much cheaper then Mobile. I change it every 2.500 and pretty happy. I guess my VX can not complain as it is getting clean oil more often.

Lets face it - in US if we were to go to junk yard many cars would have running engines and I bet vast majority had never seen Mobile synthetic. The point is that usually engine outlast the lifespan of a car even on regular oil.