Is Full Synthetic Oil the Real Deal?

Question

So the people who owned my car before me used a Full Synthetic Oil, and suggested I continue with that. However, I drive a Toyota Corolla, and there is really no need for a full synthetic-- Convice me that a full sythetic oil is the way to go, instead of my typical oil of choice Castrol GTX.

Answer 1

It seems iffy to me, but I'm not an early adapter, so that's just me talking.
The disadvantages of synthetic motor oils include:
* Initial cost
* Potential oil seal problems - if the oil does not contain sufficient seal conditioners.
* Potential decomposition problems in certain chemical environments
* Potential stress cracking of plastic componentry like POM (polyoxymethylene) in the presence of PAO's.

Initial cost may be mitigated by extended change intervals, but those need to be confirmed by oil analysis for each particular user.

Answer 2

I answered a similar question about synthetic oil a few weeks ago. Is it the real deal? Yes, it is. Here's why. Synthetic oils is just that, synthetic, it's not made from petroleum. Conventional motor oil will coke or sludge due to the repetitive engine heat cycles, even if it's changed on a regular basis. If you took a valve cover off of an engine that has had regular oil used in it, even with scheduled oil changes, there will be an amount of sludge build up. If you took a valve cover off an engine that had synthetic used in it, it would be clean inside. It will also allow for longer intervals between oil changes as well. Now, using it in a higher mileage engine that has had conventional oil used in it for all of it's life, using the synthetic may or may not cause oil leaks since the synthetic is slipperier and any seals that were weeping may end up leaking. Personally, I' ve used synthetic oils in my vehicles because I keep them for long periods of time. My Chevrolet S-10 2.8 V6 has over 200,000 miles on it and I use it to tow a trailer on a regular basis, and I change the synthetic oil every 3000 miles. The bottom line is this, if you're going to keep the car for a while (over 4 years) and it has had synthetic oil in it, keep using it. If you're going to trade a car every 2-3 years, then stick with the conventional. Using synthetic won't boost the car's retail value one bit.

Answer 3

I heard that once you use synthetic you cant go back to convetional oils - This may just be a myth . I have heard people that have pulled a motor down ( to change a cam , roller rockers, etc.) and they said it still looked new and shinny with very little wear. I have never use any.

Answer 4

I use full Synthetic in all of my cars.My ford has suv has 212,000 miles on it,and had no problems.I have a Chevy Cav.And it has 283,000 miles on it.The oil may cost more but I change oil and filter twice a year.And it seems to work for me.The suv is used as a work truck,and I put it through hell.

Answer 5

use Mobil 1 synthetic. Castrol is not very good. i have personally tested these different oils for and independent study group.

Answer 6

There are SOME benifits but if the oil is change often they are very limited
I use Mystic (real)which is very comparable to Mobil 1(synthetic)

Answer 7

Well, get the right ones, and it'll last allot longer than that caster oil crap you use. Has much better lubrication properties, won't break down like regular oil will, has much better flow rate than oil, and you don't have to change your oil near as much as with regular oil.

Answer 8

use Redline oil, it's the best :)