Synthetic Oil switchover at 77,000 miles? OTM question

Pat,

I can't tell you how many engines I have protected with synthetic oil so that their new owner can enjoy them! Nonetheless, I switched my

My unbiased, disciplined self says that if you don't intend to own/run the vehicle past the 125k or 150k mark, and if you're going to change the oil and the filter regularly, and you don't habitually see 300- degree fahrenheit oil temps (such as on a Harley air-cooled big twin stuck in traffic on a 90-degree day!) that you're better off saving yourself the money and sticking with conventional.

But the emotional, undisciplined real me would still switch to synthetic anyway, if it were me!

I know - this was no help at all!

Tim

I see no need to use synthetic oil in any normal passenger car, unless it's boosted. It's cheaper to use dino, and change it frequently. Yes, synthetics lubricate somewhat better, but not enough to matter in engines that aren't being pushed past their design envelopes.

One HUGE advantage of synthetic oil and one that's usually overlooked is that it's a sale point if you ever plan to sell the car.

"Always used Brand X Synthetic, have all service records" looks good in an ad. It might not get you more money but it could be a deciding point if there are several for sale for similar prices.

Other than that, there really isn't any "real world" advantage to synthetic, contrary to popular believe it will NOT go longer between oil changes because the major reason to change oil is contamination and the type of oil makes absolutely no difference in amount of contamination.

All of the above is of no consequence, Pat deserves to be whacked multiple times with a Miata lug wrench for re-starting the DREADED OIL THREAD!

And to put the discussion to rest, here's the summary of every oil thread ever started in any newsgroup:

Oil is good, you should have some in your car!

Nah, it is all mucho help, though I agree with XS11E that resurrecting the oil thread should be punishable by a good beating. :-)

Thanks,

Pat

What more can you say?!

FWIW Pat, I think I'd stay with what's been working so well. Kind of like a proper working old automatic transmission, don't mess with it ;-)

Chris

Actually, I think the summary should be -

Oil is good, you should have some in your car's engine! ;-D

Iva & Vixen

Or, merging with the British car thread:

Oil is good, you should have some under your car!