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16087 messages,  Last post on May 09, 2013 at 9:32 AM

You are in the Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37, Acura TL, Lexus IS 350, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Cadillac CTS, Volvo S60, Audi A4, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1575 of 1609

#15739 of 16087 Re: Oil [plekto] by sweendogy

Mar 06, 2013 (9:10 am)

Replying to: plekto (Mar 06, 2013 12:34 am)
Or you could read this
 
http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/top-7-urban-legends-about-motor-oil.html

#15740 of 16087 Re: Oil [sweendogy] by plekto

Mar 06, 2013 (11:06 am)

Replying to: sweendogy (Mar 06, 2013 9:10 am)
And... nothing in that article is counter to what I was saying.
 
#1 is about 3K oil changes. This is of course, about *oil*, which has a certain amount of natural lubrication ability no matter how old it gets. I use conventional oil in my "commuter" car (It's almost 15 years old now) and routinely run 4 or 5 thousand miles in it with no problems. My Dad's CTS is showing that it's time to change it at about 5-7 months, typically, which correlates with what the service center mechanics now recommend.
 
Not a huge difference, well, other than price.... I sometimes get the feeling that we're getting scammed into buying new technology.
 
#2 - #5 are common sense, IMO.
 
#6 is absolutely correct in that you can swap right over to semi-synthetic for the extra level of protection that it affords if you forget to change the oil. Semi-synthetic is awesome stuff, IMO, that gives you the best of both worlds for hardly any more money.
 
#7 also was touched on in my post, though indirectly. Conventional oil is not inferior to synthetic oils in normal driving conditions. The video that the article links to on this assumes that synthetic is always superior other than price, though. Most of the press also assumes this. Nearly every claim about synthetic oil being superior is based upon racing or extreme conditions, as well, where it does make a difference.
 
If you are racing the car or are using a high revving engine (7-8k+ RPMs), there might be some added protection. But it's going to make no difference in your Jeep or Civic.
 
http://autos.aol.com/article/gm-engine-oil/
"Further, GM says that if a customer has an engine failure that is traced to oil or lubrication issues, and if the customer does not use dexos 1 oil in their gasoline-powered GM vehicle, that act alone could void the warranty."
 
Note - Cadillac originally mandated Mobil 1 full synthetic in the CTS. That they would change from full to a blend and make it mandatory is telling.

#15741 of 16087 Re: Oil [plekto] by dino001

Mar 06, 2013 (11:34 am)

Replying to: plekto (Mar 06, 2013 11:06 am)
If you are racing the car or are using a high revving engine (7-8k+ RPMs),
 
So if you have a new crop turbo engine (revs are 20K+), if the turbine bearings are lubricated by same motor oil, you better get a synthetic - which is a usual recommendation by manufacturers. The conventional oil could coke on those quicker than 3K miles.

#15742 of 16087 Re: Oil [dino001] by plekto

Mar 06, 2013 (12:12 pm)

Replying to: dino001 (Mar 06, 2013 11:34 am)
Obviously. This also affected Porsche, Mazda (RX-8), the Honda S2000, and several other cars with high revving engines. Conventional oils simply couldn't take the punishment. And as engines get to be smaller and higher revving, with more turbos in the mix, you'd need a synthetic blend as a minimum.
 
Look, synthetics are superior to conventional oils in every way but one. The base stock of both oils is not the same. While the synthetic has vastly superior properties in most aspects, it's also so highly refined that it provides little protection by itself (almost watery with no viscosity). Conventional oil does to a degree. Then they add the additives to it to make it the oil you and I buy. This isn't an issue at all until you get to a scenario where the oil gets too old.
 
In essence, there is no failure mode for synthetics. They work perfectly until they don't and the engine blows up. So "whatever, I'll change it in another month" simply is asking for trouble over time. Conventional oils just sludge up and while that's a huge separate problem, your bottom end bearings usually won't grind themselves into oblivion.

#15743 of 16087 Re: Oil [plekto] by sweendogy

Mar 06, 2013 (1:06 pm)

Replying to: plekto (Mar 06, 2013 11:06 am)
Wasn't saying it was a counter- just a really short and quick and easy to read- btw I posted this before your post as a general information for those who care.
 
Wordy posts are hard to concentrate on- like the beak of the TL- a select few like them.
 
I think all cars should have oil and that oil should be maintained correctly.
 
Drive like you live.

#15744 of 16087 Re: Oil [plekto] by sweendogy

Mar 06, 2013 (7:39 pm)

Replying to: plekto (Mar 06, 2013 12:12 pm)
"Synthetic oils are superior" - wow - this is the same blanket statement that the oil guys had to scrap in an ad campaign during the early 2000s because legal and compliance killed it because it wasn't scientific proof. (How do I know this, well the wife worked on Castros campaign)
 
http://www.motortrend.com/womt/112_9808_synthetic_motor_oil/viewall.html
 
Most normal drivers will never get the benefit of synthetic - track guys, like flight would .- and cars that mandate it for warranty I wouldn't mess with a switch.
 
I like synthetics because the longer change periods - so does bmw look at all the free maintence they are giving away- once every 10-12k on each car-
 
Drive like you Like
 
Sween

#15745 of 16087 Re: Oil [sweendogy] by plekto

Mar 06, 2013 (7:53 pm)

Replying to: sweendogy (Mar 06, 2013 7:39 pm)
Synthetic are superior on paper, BUT, that one problem is really a giant one, potentially, as it conflicts with the #1 goal of oil, which is to keep the machine from self-destructing. And Americans are unfortunately not the brightest motorists when it comes to maintaining their vehicles. Some of us are, but a whole lot do do things like let their car go a year between changes.
 
Most people could run normal cheaper oils and see no difference, though. You're absolutely right on that.

#15746 of 16087 Re: Oil [plekto] by sweendogy

Mar 06, 2013 (8:06 pm)

Replying to: plekto (Mar 06, 2013 7:53 pm)
So the real advantage of synthetics is to help laziness- got it

#15747 of 16087 Re: Oil [sweendogy] by plekto

Mar 08, 2013 (12:53 am)

Replying to: sweendogy (Mar 06, 2013 8:06 pm)
And of course, the oil companies pockets.
 
Just, don't be *too* lazy about oil changes since synthetic does still need to be changed.

#15748 of 16087 Re: Oil [plekto] by fedlawman

Mar 08, 2013 (3:05 pm)

Replying to: plekto (Mar 08, 2013 12:53 am)
The additives are different from brand to brand and dino vs. synthetic
 
I use dino oil in my Volvo and BMW, and synthetic (with high ZDDP) in my Porsche.

Messages Page 1575 of 1609

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