ib516 wrote:
1) that CR test is almost 20 years old.
2) they tested synthetic oil in an taxi cabs that hardly ever shut off and are run continuously in mild weather (not 100*F above or 40* below).
Of course it will perform about the same as regular oil.
Try repeating that test at -40* with several cold starts and see what happens.
That test was useless at determining if synthetic is any better in any vehicle but a NYC taxi - in which it wasn't, and I'd agree.
From the article:
"Big-city cabs don't see many cold start-ups or long periods of high speed driving in extreme heat. But our test results relate to the most common type of severe service - stop-and-go city driving."
I'll stand by my suggestion that if you want extra insurance against heat related break down while towing, use a quality synthetic oil.
Well, I don't see where we are disagreeing here ib516, but thanks for replying.
My last statement was:
Wes wrote:
"Lastly, an engine that is never working at extreme heat levels won't benefit from more expensive synthetic. Consumer reports did an interesting study on this."
In other words I'm saying synthetic doesn't normally pay off in the family grocery getter. Unless one races to the store. But, I whole-heartedly agree with your statement,
ib516 wrote:
"I'll stand by my suggestion that if you want extra insurance against heat related break down while towing, use a quality synthetic oil."
You also said earlier, ib516 wrote:
"Of course it will perform about the same as regular oil.
Try repeating that test at -40* with several cold starts and see what happens."
Do you think synthetic and ordinary modern oil will perform substancially different in cold weather? The article did say synthetic flowed easier, I believe. Do you think the difference is enough to justify the extra cost?
Personally, I thought the old article was well written and the logic is still as true today as it was then, but I can see that it might generate some controversy amongst some consumers. :)
There is another perhaps "controversial" article on the "classic" site that also seems to make a lot of sense (and humor) on additives. It's written for oil additives, but I think the common sense could be applied just as well to fuel additives, then and today.
Link: Is That Additive Really A Negative?
Food for thought.
Wes
...
