Synthetic oil changes
I just read a post from last October about someone asking if they could use synthetic oil in the generator. He received 3 pages of yes and no's and the general opinion is yes you can use synthetic oil...
Forum Discussion
Bob is the Oil Guy is the place to go for unbiased information. It is unlikely that we wear out our oils base stock. The additive package is another story, the way to measure it accurately is to do periodic samples and when the TAN and the TBN lines cross you replace the oil. The cost of sampling only makes sense on large fleets at 10 or 15 gallons of oil per engine, except in mission critical applications. That is the reason mileage and time limits are given. During those periods it is unlikely that you will wear out the additive package.
The practical benefits of synthetics is their resistance to failure at higher temperatures and their ability to flow at very low temps. Beyond that the EPA is, IMHO, driving the trend toward synthetics. They have fewer volitals that can foul the air. They also are a it more slippery so that the engines on a fleet basis get better MPG. They also have more resistance to shear so they have better lubriciity at low viscosities, which allows the manufacturers to have better control of the combustion process through tighter tolerances.
The marketing hype is for profit, $4 for a quart of oil vs $1.60 for a gallon of gas. Buy an oil that meets spec for your engine and of a viscosity appropriate for the temperature you operate. Change it at the recommended intervals. Never mind the Brand and you will like never have an engine failure due to oil.
The practical benefits of synthetics is their resistance to failure at higher temperatures and their ability to flow at very low temps. Beyond that the EPA is, IMHO, driving the trend toward synthetics. They have fewer volitals that can foul the air. They also are a it more slippery so that the engines on a fleet basis get better MPG. They also have more resistance to shear so they have better lubriciity at low viscosities, which allows the manufacturers to have better control of the combustion process through tighter tolerances.
The marketing hype is for profit, $4 for a quart of oil vs $1.60 for a gallon of gas. Buy an oil that meets spec for your engine and of a viscosity appropriate for the temperature you operate. Change it at the recommended intervals. Never mind the Brand and you will like never have an engine failure due to oil.
