Worth switching to synthetic? Additional advice?

Question

I own a 2003 Maxima which currently has 47,000 miles on it. In the 4 years that I've had it, I've averaged about 7,000 per year. However, I just got a new job and will now be increasing that average to about 30,000 per year. I am strongly considering switching to synthetic oil. So my questions are:

1) How will the switch affect my car considering the amount of miles it has on it?
2) Realistically, given my driving distance, how often could and should I change it?
3) Are there any other maintenance aspects required for using synthetic oil, besides those required for regular oil?

If there's any other advice or useful info you guys could lend, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

The main reason I'm considering switching is that with all my driving, I don't have an urge to change my oil every so often. And synthetic motor oil are regarded to last longer.

Answer 1

If your motor has no obvious oil leaks jump on the band-wagon ans make the switch. I'll be as brief as possible and try to specifically answer your questions.
#1.The switch will allow your motor to start easier in cold weather as the cold pour point is conservatively 15-20 degrees lower. If you're using 5W-30 presently synthetic oil will flow at -45 - 50 below zero. Relatively low viscosity synthetic oil is able to *adsorb heat and carry it off faster as it returns to the oil pan. In the end the overall oil temperature will be cooler. The detergent package is more aggressive so that it'll keep the motor cleaner. It pumps to critical engine parts much quicker and this is the *biggest benifit*. Cold start ups is where 95% of any engine wear occurs. The superior anti-friction properties help to prevent any metal to metal contact. Camshafts and lifters are particularly vulnerable. Piston rings and cylinder-walls are a close second. Do to the fact it is so "slippery" increased fuel economy may be a benifit.
#2. Since you will be spinning a lot of miles in a short period you could go for the Mobil 1 extended drain interval oil and change it every 10,000 miles. The plastic jug it comes in says you can go 15,000 miles between drain intervals. I'm a conservative.
#3. Stay away from Mobil 1, K&N, OR Amsoil oil filters. They do not offer the 25 micron particle and less filtration as do Wix, NAPA (Wix makes NAPA filters), AC-Delco or Purolator. Walk past Fram oil filters. If you're ever in a NAPA store they'll have a Fram and a NAPA filter split open. One glance and you'll be sold.

* Some guys are going to tell you synthetic oil is a waste of money. Others may say it will leak. Your car is reasonably new and the pan and valve cover gaskets shouldn't be hard and brittle. If your car is presently leaking oil somewhere get it fixed before the change-over. The aggerssive detergent package may uncover gum and varnish which presently "cover up" A potential oil leak. Synthetics will in no way affect the front or rear seals in the motor.
Stick to the viscosity your glove compartment handbook calls for.
More cars asre being sold today with synthetic oil in the crankcase. The Dodge Viper and the Chevrolet Corvette to name a couple of American built cars.
Every NASCAR Craftsman Truck, Busch and Nextel Cup car uses synthetic motor oil. Google: Joe Gibbs (Washington Redskins) Racing oil. Notice the oil used to dyno motors before they hit the racetrack. Check out the viscosity grades used for qualifying, plate racing and when plates are not used.

Answer 2

Unless you're in the mountains or in very high temperatures, there's no great advantage in synthetic oil. Just use whatever is specified in your owners' manual, which is probably any brand of 5W-30 that comes in a container bearing the API circle or starburst logo on it. You'll be happy to note that this includes the oil that's bottled by Wal-mart, AutoZone, and the other discount places, and it's perfectly good oil.

Change it at the specified intervals, which are usually about every 6,000 miles. It's all there in the manual, and you won't increase the engine's life, or the fuel mileage, by changing it more often than that.

Since there's no way to continually monitor engine wear there has historically been a vast amount of superstition and bogus marketing attached to motor oil, and this includes synthetics. That's why it's best to trust the manufacturer's recommendations and listen to nobody else, especially auto mechanics and the guys at parts counters. All API-approved oils are simply splendid these days; far better than anything you could buy even ten years ago. And so engines are lasting a very long time.

Answer 3

Mobile 1 is fully compatible with standard oil so you can just use it directly without having to flush your engine. The change would usually improve performance and improve gas use. Also the oil is harder to burn.

How often should you change it? The best for your engine is change frequently as possible. Mobil recommends that you follow the owners manual and change what the car manufaturor recommends. Treat it just like standard oil.

When Ams oil when first market their product, they stated that their oil is good for 25000 miles with filter change every 7000 miles. If you go to their site at this time, they states that the oil will last longer, but no specific interval as when you should change.

So it is dangerous to assume that the synthetic will last longer. Sure, it will, but know one knows how much better.

I got 4 cars, and maintain all my family cars. I change oil at 5000 regardless of the oil type. The choice of going synthetic is based on drive condition. I do lot of city driving with one of my car so it gets synthetic. All other cars get regular oil.

Answer 4

It's always worth it to switch to a synthetic oil no matter how many miles. Synthetic oil protects against wear on cold starts. It also never sludges it just gets dirty over time. It offers more protection in extreme cold weather and extreme hot weather. Also if you do lots of short trips and stop in go traffic it's best to use synthetic. Not saying conventional oil is bad. I seen trucks with over 400k on it. And farm tractors with well over 200k with many hours of idling. If you don't plan on having the car for a long long time then maybe not. It's up to you. Personalty I run Mobil 1 High mileage

Answer 5

Mobil 1 is the best you can use. regardless of mileage. with mobile one you change the filter at 3000 miles, change the oil and filter every 6000 miles. or you can change it every 3000 for both oil and filter.