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I really enjoyed this video. I hope it helps clear up some of the misconceptions once and for all about synthetics vs conventional. I know I learned a thing or two. Special thanks to Valvoline for doing this. It was really great of them to invite us down to Lexington KY to their world headquarters to do this.
The questions in this video were taken from this forum post.
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/2-General-Discussion/50923-oil-questions-for-a-valvoline-expert
Hope you enjoy the video. Comments welcome.
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Nice people at Valvoline. They’re enjoying their jobs, knowledge, and skills.
Let’s say that the final oil itself has 20 specifications (probably more). And the basestock has 20 specifications (probably more). And each of 10 or more additives has 20 specifications (probably more).
This means all the engine oils are so highly specified that they’re all the same and perform the same. This makes them a commodity product, and one is not better than the other in any real sense.
Buy and use whatever is on sale.
I’d be much more impressed with oil selection if somebody did a randomized blinded trial showing longer engine life with a new kind of oil. That kind of trial would be fairly easy to conduct, and it could swing millions of consumers to a product. Trouble is, if result is negative (or even worse, showing a worse result with the new product) it may be hard for a corporation to conceal the findings. I suspect it doesn’t make nearly as much difference as oil corporations want you to believe.
I think the most important take away of this video is to follow the manufacturer recommendations. They designed it, tested it, built it, and they know what should work best and when to change it. Stick with that, and you really can’t go wrong.
That was really interesting Eric – great interview! I’m wondering what you think about their 75,000 mile recommendation for the switch to high mileage oil. Do you agree? I ask because I’ve got a G20 with 165,000 miles on it. So far with conventional oil it doesn’t burn oil or leak. Is a high mileage oil more likely to keep it that way?
[quote=”daneli” post=106620] I’m wondering what you think about their 75,000 mile recommendation for the switch to high mileage oil. Do you agree?[/quote]
Personally, I don’t agree with them for two reasons. (1) I think there is a difference between a Toyota engine at 75k miles and a GM engine (2) highway miles are different from short trips.
However, we use HM oil on our two Camrys….145K and 170K.
[quote=”daneli” post=106620]That was really interesting Eric – great interview! I’m wondering what you think about their 75,000 mile recommendation for the switch to high mileage oil. Do you agree? I ask because I’ve got a G20 with 165,000 miles on it. So far with conventional oil it doesn’t burn oil or leak. Is a high mileage oil more likely to keep it that way?[/quote]
According to the experts, yes, you could benefit from high mileage oil. Mostly because of the seal conditioners. However, if you’re running fine on conventional, you might also stick with that. As long as it’s the correct viscosity and you change it at regular intervals, I’m sure you’ll be fine.
Excellent video, great information. It answered a lot of my questions about synthetics. The production of this video is TOP NOTCH! Wow, thanks Eric!
well, i just did my first oil change on my 2000 infiniti G20.
im a synthetic nut, mainly Mobil1 but i found a deal on the Castrol Edge, which my buddy believes in is great for his NSX, so i got me some to try.
AND … after oil change, about 2 days later, the car started to leak oil.
At first, glance, i thought it was coming from the filter – thought maybe i had put on the filter to loose.
put back the old filter and was going to swap out my oil filter. then i noticed, i was still leaking oil.
the old filter did not leak before the change …. so i started to look really hard.
then i saw a small drop coming from the little rubber boot covering the connector to the oil pressure switch/sender. then i removed the boot … quite a bit of oil in there … which should not be.this event does not in any way deter me from wanting to use synthetic.
as a matter of fact, now, i would say to anyone not using synthetic already, to hurry yo azz up and start using it! (before the synthetic would perform too well and spring a leak).i believe in synthetic. use oil weight as directed.
in older engines, it is possible for oil alone to quiet down the engine.
1983 Nissan 280zx turbo.
conventional oil – chatty.
synthetic oil – smooth …. would say close to “new” but aint really had a chance to hear the engine when new.
my jaw just about hit the floor when i tried this back in 1995/96.
since then… Mobil1 primarily and only bought other synthetic if my specific weight was not available.Anyhow, this event has forced me to agree with Eric’s hypothesis and even Valvoline’s admittance of possibility, that the synthetic could clean away build-up and debris which could be hiding/blocking a leak. I would not have agreed until this oil change.
However, maybe it’s just Castrol Edge vs. Mobil1 – haha. just kidding – but don’t you want to go hmmmm?maybe my leak was … coincidence?
hmmm?PS- this video is so informative.
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