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When To Switch To Synthetic ? ? ?

3 messages,  Last post on Dec 27, 2008 at 1:26 PM

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#1 of 3 When To Switch To Synthetic ? ? ? by williamyoung Dec 24, 2008 (3:44 pm)
I am a firm believer in synthetic oil and have used it in previous vehicles. The readout on my dash on the new van says I have 65% of safe oil life left before changing. I now have approx 4000 km on the vehicle. My monthly email diagnostic report that checks my vehicle out via satellite and checks every thing on my vehicle right down to the tire pressure in every tire, says that according to my driving conditions and habits my oil life expectancy is to 10,100 km at which time I should change it. Some say that synthetic should not be put in until at least 25000 km because it is such a superior lubrication over conventional oil that the rings will never seat if changed too early . Others say that is old hat and with the new modern engines, synthetic can be used at a much lower mileage. The dealer says it doesn't make much difference one way or the other as to how many miles should be on it and I was not satisfied with that response. .   So my question is ? ? ? ? How many here have switched to synthetic on the first oil change and was it from good authority that prompted you to do so .   Or should I wait until at least the second oil change ? Replies to this message: fscoles (Dec 27, 2008 12:42 pm)
#2 of 3 Re: When To Switch To Synthetic ? ? ? [williamyoung] by fscoles Dec 27, 2008 (12:42 pm)
Replying to: williamyoung (Dec 24, 2008 3:44 pm) Our local Chevy dealer service manager told me last month that anytime is alright to switch to a full synthetic, and be sure to keep the receipts with your service logbook, for your vehicle warranty. He also recommended I use the ACDelco PF61 oil filter, to prevent any warranty issues, and it's also OK to switch back to conventional oil at any point. Consider the fact that '04 and newer Vettes owner's manual specified Mobil 1 5W30 synthetic just as soon as one's Chevy dealer says its OK to do their own oil changes, so synthetic should be fine on a newer engine. Some brand new engines may have come with a break-in oil (?), depending on the particular engine, so I would think that the ring seating & so forth should have been accomplished during that period. We bought our '08 Uplander late Oct with 31,000miles, so it already had several oil changes (I hope!) with regular oil or its current synth-blend. As soon as the weather breaks, I will install Mobil 1 synthetic 5W30.
#3 of 3 by williamyoung Dec 27, 2008 (1:26 pm)
Thanks for that information about the oil and also for the filter number . I don't like the idea of going 10,000 km on any kind of oil regardless of what the computer says. . I think I will switch the original oil to synthetic at about 5000 km and see how it goes.   If it doesn't start using oil it will mean that the rings are well seated . If it does use some, I can always switch back to conventional for another change interval. . I like the protection of synthetic.   W.Y.

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