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Switching to synthetic...

2433 Views 13 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  spicyredkoup, 
ecko
What would be the max mileage I could drive on conventional oil before switching to synthetic? Been planning the switch but hours at work been cut for fall slowdown, and with with Christmas coming and new year haven't had the extra $40.00 to actually do the switch. I want to get it done after the new year but didn't know if I would have too many miles on to do that. Right now I'm at about 3800 miles. Already had my first oil change done at 1700 miles. Planned on going with Mobil1 filter and oil once I do the switch...

Also would like to switch tranny fluid to synthetic as well...same question applies. Any suggestions on what tranny Synthetic to use?
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ecko said:
What would be the max mileage I could drive on conventional oil before switching to synthetic? Been planning the switch but hours at work been cut for fall slowdown, and with with Christmas coming and new year haven't had the extra $40.00 to actually do the switch. I want to get it done after the new year but didn't know if I would have too many miles on to do that. Right now I'm at about 3800 miles. Already had my first oil change done at 1700 miles. Planned on going with Mobil1 filter and oil once I do the switch...

Also would like to switch tranny fluid to synthetic as well...same question applies. Any suggestions on what tranny Synthetic to use?
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You'll hear a lot of people say you don't need to use synthetic or whatever. A lot of its personal preference. You'll have people who swear by a certain brand just because its all they have used in their previous cars. The good thing about a synthetic brand is that you can go a little bit longer with an oil change since the oil can withstand it. Mobil 1 is a great brand ( little more expensive) but to me oil is oil. Just don't buy the stuff you find at gas stations ;) I wouldn't recommend going over the 4000k mark tho if you want to keep your engine on a routine oil change!
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forteshadow
when to switch oil

Hey
My assumption with synthetic would be to switch as soon after break in as possible. In your position I would think it safe to switch over as soon as your next oil change as the only real concern with switching over later (alot later) is seals expanding and the synthetic flowing through openings that the regular oil may not have. You dont have enough milage just yet to worry about that :) My own personal preference with previous cars was mobil 1 simply for the fact that for all the problems with my old car the engine was never one of them :)
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S
I am a big fan of using synthetics. Mobil 1 would be fine for you as with any major brand. I will be using Amsoil when I do my next oil change. I have heard all about the seal, leaks and burning oil making it a problem on high mileage engines. At 3800 miles you are not anywhere close to a concern about too many miles.

My last car was a 1997 Ford Exploder purchased used with no maintenance history and 167,000 miles. I immediately switched to Mobil 1 and the Mobil 1 filter. I owned it for 12 months and put on 20,000 miles before buying my Koup. I did 3 oil changes at about 7,000 miles each and it never leaked or burned any oil. I checked it regularly and never needed to add any oil between changes.

With synthetic oil you will have a quieter engine and will see a little improvement in gas mileage. I gained 2 mpg on a 2007 Chevy Silverado crew cab when I switched to synthetics which was getting over 21 mpg until it was totaled. (the reason for the 1997 Exploder).
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ForteGT2
My .02 on this subject:
Modern engine oils protect the engine very well. Synthetic oils costs as much as three times normal oil and do not protect the engine any better than regular oil. I've tried synthetics before and did not see any increase in MPG -- the oil used in the Forte is thin so you are not going to get any less friction reduction with synthetics. As long as you keep your oil changed regularly (and keep documentation) you have a 100,000 mile warranty -- so why spend the extra bucks on an oil that isn't going to change anything? In fact, if you want to take the argument to the next level, you could change your oil and filter twice as much as you would with synthetic and STILL save money!
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S
The modern conventional oils are greatly improved over the past generations so they will protect the engine fine. Any routine oil changes will safely get the engine beyond the 100,000 mile warranty.

Choosing synthetics over conventional oils do cost more and that is money I am willing to spend. Personally it gets to what a person thinks is more important to them. For example many people here like to modify and upgrade their headlights when the factory lights are fine. I would put my money in the oil instead of some of the mods others choose.
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MFury
As much as modern conventional oils have improved it still is hard to crank the engine in -35 Celsius where as with my Amsoil at same temp it spins the engine quickly as if it was around -5 Celsius. When I bought my Forte last December I didn't want to switch to synth until engine break in so had to drive it throughout last winter and it strained turning over on those damn cold days. This year I put in synth over the summer and now at -35 it cranks over quickly. Still running the same weight and don't plug it in due to parking lot having no power plugs at work. No strain on the battery and starter trying to crank a sluggish engine.
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ForteGT2
MFury said:
As much as modern conventional oils have improved it still is hard to crank the engine in -35 Celsius where as with my Amsoil at same temp it spins the engine quickly as if it was around -5 Celsius. When I bought my Forte last December I didn't want to switch to synth until engine break in so had to drive it throughout last winter and it strained turning over on those damn cold days. This year I put in synth over the summer and now at -35 it cranks over quickly. Still running the same weight and don't plug it in due to parking lot having no power plugs at work. No strain on the battery and starter trying to crank a sluggish engine.
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You make a good point for those that live in extremely frigid weather. That might be the best reason to use synthetic.
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@cUr@-TL
You can switch whenever you want... You can go from regular to synthetic to regular all over again if you want.

Your engine won't know...
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Pcola Forte SX
The Kia Forte owners manual recommends changing the oil every 7500 miles. The dealership will try to sell you an oil change every 3,000 miles but you only have to go by what the owner's manual calls for to satisfy required maintenance for warranty reasons.

OF COURSE, there will be people who will always change their oil before that. I personally look at the condition of the oil on the dipstick and judge by the type of driving I've been doing. Mostly I have no problem stretching the oil changes out that far. There is a reason why you can go longer between changes these days. Cleaner engines and better oil.
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S
The dealer or even the quickie lube places like the 3000 changes since that makes them more business so higher profits. The dealers might gain an extra benefit of finding other maintenance items to do for more service work.

Some people will find it hard to break from the old 3000 mile standard to the 7500 recommended by the manual. Going synthetic also give more peace of mind when going beyond the old school range.

Also I personally did improve my mileage in past cars using synthetic oils so to me it is well worth it.
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ecko
I do live in a pretty cold region here in Ohio during the winter...Albeit not as cold as Canada but still gets down to 0 quite a few days....So that maybe enough of a reason for a change to synthetic...

What about synthetic blends...are those worth it or is it one or the other???

Thanks again for all the info guys/gals!!!!!!!!!
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xSilverX9x
I get my oil changed every 5,000 miles (at the dealer) with regular Mobil oil..
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ecko said:
What about synthetic blends...are those worth it or is it one or the other???
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This is an opinion but the blends are like mixing the conventional oil with synthetic oil or kind of like getting half the benefit. Personally I would skip the blends.
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