thinking about switching to synthetic oil

[dru]

I have a 2007 saturn ion with 86,xxx miles on it. It has had regular oil changes every 3000-4000 miles. not really driven heavily, and most of those miles are highway to begin with. I have decided to start doing my own oil changes after getting jerked around by a few oil shops in town and was wondering about the wisdom of using synthetic oil. Up to this point it has been conventional oil AFAIK (its my wife's daily driver).

Will this cause problems on my car? I have heard conflicting things about switching to synthetic causing engine leaks (or not), and causing gunk to dislodge and block circulation of oil (or not). some have said do it, others have said they started having leaks shortly after. A few of my neighbors have recommended going ahead and doing a change to synthetic now, and then after a few hundred miles, changing the oil with fresh synthetic to get most of the dislodged crap out.

So before I go ahead and create a problem for myself, was wondering what people here thought. I trust stuff here a little more than random internet forums and yahoo answers.

Also, what is a good high quality filter to use?

 

[Avman63]

I have used synthetic oil for years in everything I own,never had any problems after switching. It is a good idea to use a
good quality engine flush when you switch to synthetic oil. I have a 1991 Camry that has 311,000 miles on it and I got it when it had 200,000 miles and switched to synthetic. Wix, Purolator, Proline (made by Purolator and sold by Pep Boys) Mobile 1 all make a good filter.

 

[Chief Sapulpa]

Both of my vehicles require synthetic oil; oil drains for one at 10K miles, the other at about 13K. If you've been using dinosaur oil and change to synthetic oil you may experience some leaks.
If it were me I'd start with Mobil 1, Motul or Castrol.
Good Luck.

 

[nemesis]

I have heard conflicting things about switching to synthetic causing engine leaks

This. I've heard the same thing. I don't use synthetic anymore so I wouldn't know.

But I used synthetic in my newest car, a 2009 Accord. The oil use/oil life indicator was the same as w/ordinary oil, and since I change my oil every 3000 miles, I went back to ordinary oil.

 

[ronny]

If you've been changing your oil and filter every 3-4,000 miles, you shouldn't have any gunk in your engine. If you change to synthetic, you're just spending more money for very little benefit.

Mind you, I'm not knocking synthetic, I use it myself. However, if I were changing oil and filter as often as you, I wouldn't. Today's motor oils are excellent. Just be sure you use a good filter.

 

[vvvvvvv]

Synthetic oil or synthetic oil?

(There really is a difference.)

 

[Backstrap]

dru - Go straight to the source and read everything on this site and all the forums and make an informed decision: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

 

[Edmond]

If it's been working for you this far, I would not make the switch. I'm an Amsoil dealer and I use it in all my vehicles but in this instance, I would stick with what is working for you.

Oil in general these days is really really good, much better than what it was when the 3,000 mile oil change was accepted. Keep using a quality dino oil and just keep driving, IMO. For dino oil, I always suggest Pennzoil yellow bottle, you can get it for a great price at Wal Mart in a 5 quart jug.

 

[HiredHand]

I don't think the potential for seal leaks is as great as it used to be on the older engines. Also, most people won't take advantage of the extended drain intervals that synthetic oils potentially offer.

 

[Stainless]

As long as you dont run amsoil, i wouldnt worry about leaks. Amsoil is great oil it just make everthing i had leak so i went back to mobil 1 and dont have anymore problems. A car that new probly should have synthetic just be sure to run a cleaner through the engine before you swithch.