Synthetic v. regular oil, changes

[bttravel]

llI really had to jump in one this one. I have about 34 years of experience with synthetic oil, specifically Mobil 1. Working in a police department for several years and one responsibility was the fleet. Read an article in Motor Trend on Mobil 1 when it first came out and after meeting with a rep from Mobil and doing some lab analysis we switched the whole fleet to Mobil 1, which was a straight 20 weight then. Unbelievable the overall difference it made. No engine breakdowns, none using oil, just no problems at 100,000 of police engine abuse. Mobil rep recommended we do the following (1979);
full change to Mobil 1, filter change at 5,000 and top off, filter change at 10,000 and top off and then a full change at 15,000 mile intervals. Did this for the whole fleet with many units going over 100,000 miles and they ran perfect. Maintenance cost for oil changes with this schedule actually was cheaper than a regular 3,000 mile change cycle. I was amazed as was the Chief and the city council. Corvettes and Dodge Vipers come from the factory with Mobil 1 in the engines. I've been using it in my vehicles as has my brother since my experience with the police fleet. And very few vehicles get the abuse a police car does. One of the first things I noticed was starting a cold police car outside in 10 degree weather. Easier starting and no engine rattle from low oil flow. The biggest difference Mobil 1 (synthetics) have is all the molecules are the same size, (not so with regular oil), and is a very high suspension oil. I currently change the filter at 7,000 and do a full oil change at 14,000. Again I have used this oil sines, I'm a diehard Mobil 1 cheerleader. Best to everyone.

[Old Coot]

Originally Posted by bttravel

llI really had to jump in one this one. I have about 34 years of experience with synthetic oil, specifically Mobil 1. Working in a police department for several years and one responsibility was the fleet. Read an article in Motor Trend on Mobil 1 when it first came out and after meeting with a rep from Mobil and doing some lab analysis we switched the whole fleet to Mobil 1, which was a straight 20 weight then. Unbelievable the overall difference it made. No engine breakdowns, none using oil, just no problems at 100,000 of police engine abuse. Mobil rep recommended we do the following (1979);
full change to Mobil 1, filter change at 5,000 and top off, filter change at 10,000 and top off and then a full change at 15,000 mile intervals. Did this for the whole fleet with many units going over 100,000 miles and they ran perfect. Maintenance cost for oil changes with this schedule actually was cheaper than a regular 3,000 mile change cycle. I was amazed as was the Chief and the city council. Corvettes and Dodge Vipers come from the factory with Mobil 1 in the engines. I've been using it in my vehicles as has my brother since my experience with the police fleet. And very few vehicles get the abuse a police car does. One of the first things I noticed was starting a cold police car outside in 10 degree weather. Easier starting and no engine rattle from low oil flow. The biggest difference Mobil 1 (synthetics) have is all the molecules are the same size, (not so with regular oil), and is a very high suspension oil. I currently change the filter at 7,000 and do a full oil change at 14,000. Again I have used this oil sines, I'm a diehard Mobil 1 cheerleader. Best to everyone.

Do the same since 1978 and Smokey Yunick told me to use it. Great believer in Mobil 1. Use it in truck, car, Cub Cadets, anything with an internal combustion engine.

[Midniteoyl]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

I took an oil sample last month, haven't taken time to send it in yet as my wife has been really sick and in the ER and hospital.
Anyway, I still plan on changing the oil before I store it (as per Cummins recommendations), but I want a report on the used sample to see if anything is wearing abnormally.

Prayers go out to your wife..

[pwf16129]

have been running castrol conventional motor oil for 30 plus years, talked to a castrol rep a few years ago asked why i should change.
he told me if i changed my oil on time every time that conventional was great but for vehicles the need longer intervals that synthetic is the way to go.
I've run my 1978 chevy 4x4 260,000 miles on regular oil no fuel injection no overdrive never been into the engine since i built it,this engine is on it's second body,it gets changed at 3,000 miles,i run my wife's hhr on full synthetic change the oil at roughly 14,000 miles and the filter at 7,500 it is at 63,000 miles no problem.
as for my motor home i am switching it over this fall to synthetic as it will be making a 4000 mile trip next fall it has roughly 4,000 miles on the new engine and i wanted to break it in before switching oils it will get changed at 5,000
miles or once a year
if your rig is fuel injected and overdrive i can see 7,500 miles with full synthetic and a good oil cooler if the mileage isn't excessive when you switch,i have seen problems when older engines with high miles are switched over seals leaking and oil consumption going up due to the new oil being slicker for lack of a better term
just my experience happy travels

[vsheetz]

I change oil in the low miles per year vehicles and engines (MH, old pickup truck, lawn tractor gennys, Jeep...) once per year in my birthday month.

[DriVer]

I change my oil 2x times per year. January 1 & July 1. Whether it needs it or not.

[Midniteoyl]

Originally Posted by DriVer

I change my oil 2x times per year. January 1 & July 1. Whether it needs it or not.

Ditto.. using synth, I change all my oil Oct and April..