I'm with Beemerphile on this one. Cold oil start-ups can really take the toll. One genset I prepped for 11,000+ feet altitude (summer) use incorporated a 12 volt centrifugal oil pump. The pump was started and pressure was allowed to build up on that ancient Witte engine before it was cranked. Wotta hoot! It had a motor generator off an old Dodge for starting and charging. I remember replacing the regulator cut-out with a 70-amp rectifier. Synthetics seem to be designed for super-cold or super warm operation. I haven't seen authentic fuel mileage comparisons between synthetic and petroleum which would tell another part of the story. But it's fraudulent to compare 0W-20 synthetic to SAE 30 motor oil. Gotta watch these guys...
