Anybody using synthetic oil? Help with MPG? etc.

[RVer_Andy]

Perhaps I did not search correctly but I did not see a thread here about people using synthetic oil and their experiences.

TALKING GASOLINE TRUCKS USED TO TOW HERE:

For example, if you ARE using synthetic oil, does it help truely with your mpg? Does engine perform better when towing or run cooler etc.?

Also are you using any other type of oil aditive that has HONESTLY helped with mpg.? Example "SLICK 50" etc.

Good results as well as horrow stories welcome.

Thanks,
Andy

[rexlion]

I run full synthetic each summer, just because I think it may help the engine survive towing in 100* weather. No change in gas mileage observed.

[352]

TucsonJim wrote:

PapPappy wrote:

Gdetrailer wrote:
But really there is NOTHING you can dump in your oil or gas which will increase mileage inspite of folks who make "claims" that it helps them. SAVE YOUR MONEY and don't bother with marketing gimmicks.

I only go on vacations that are downhill....I've saved lots of money that way...MPGs are great!:)
Going home costs a fortune though!:S

But just think - On your way back, you've eaten all the food, and drank all the beer. You've probably already drained your holding tanks. Your water and propane tanks are probably lighter too. You really are saving money by drinking all that beer before you go home. :W

But nobody mentions miles per hour increases.

[TucsonJim]

PapPappy wrote:

Gdetrailer wrote:
But really there is NOTHING you can dump in your oil or gas which will increase mileage inspite of folks who make "claims" that it helps them. SAVE YOUR MONEY and don't bother with marketing gimmicks.

I only go on vacations that are downhill....I've saved lots of money that way...MPGs are great!:)
Going home costs a fortune though!:S

But just think - On your way back, you've eaten all the food, and drank all the beer. You've probably already drained your holding tanks. Your water and propane tanks are probably lighter too. You really are saving money by drinking all that beer before you go home. :W

[PapPappy]

Gdetrailer wrote:
But really there is NOTHING you can dump in your oil or gas which will increase mileage inspite of folks who make "claims" that it helps them. SAVE YOUR MONEY and don't bother with marketing gimmicks.

I only go on vacations that are downhill....I've saved lots of money that way...MPGs are great!:)
Going home costs a fortune though!:S

[BeerCan]

Synthetics make sense when you are going to do extend drains or live in severe climate areas. Otherwise a good dino oil will usually work fine. Severe climates are usually below zero and over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. I am generally against oil additives, the oil companies do a good job on their own.

You can lean a ton here at BITOG

[PapPappy]

I think you may see some efficiency with the synthetic oils, but I doubt that you'll see any MPG change...or not enough that it would justify the switch for that reason alone.
I like it, because I can do a single oil change a season in my cars, with the change at about 7-10K miles instead of 3-4K miles. But, with the oil costing about twice what the "dino" costs, there really isn't much savings there either....other than my time.

Some people swear by one oil over another.....just like you'll find the Chevy/Ford/Dodge camps on these forums too. That isn't to say that any of them are wrong...they just have a different opinion than some others do.

If you can get a good deal with some synthetic oil on sale, why not? You may find that your temperatures are a bit lower, and the engine my get a bit better performance, but don't count on it.

The whole secret with any oil, is to make sure you are changing it before it has to much dirt suspended in it, which would effect the engine. New cars and trucks are telling you to change the oil at almost 10K miles, but I'd still feel more comfortable cutting their number in half.

[TucsonJim]

I just traded in my 2004 Silverado with a 6.0L engine and 140,000 miles. I used it to tow a 10,000# FW in the mountains of Arizona to Montana. I replaced the factory oil with Mobile 1 full synthetic at 200 miles, then used synthetic for every oil change since then. I changed the oil based upon the Oil Sensor system. When the light came on, I changed the oil.

At 125,000, I developed a small leak over one of the rocker arm covers. I removed the cover and replaced the gasket. What was amazing was that the rocker arms and top of the cylinder head look brand new! There was no sludge what-so-ever.

I would not say I got any better gas mileage than anyone else, but I felt much more confident in the longevity of my engine when using synthetic.

I also had a 1989 Mistubishi Montero that I'd purchased new. My wife and I commuted in it over 100 miles per day. When I traded it in several years later, I had 245,000 miles on the engine and had zero work done to it other than routine timing belts per the owners manual.

I know this is anecdotal evidence, and others probably have similar results with petroleum based oils, but there was no sense in me changing from what worked.

[Gdetrailer]

Synthetics along with any other "additives" are nothing more than snake oil as far as MPG goes.

What many vehicle manufacturers have been doing to "help" the mileage is to spec oils which are much wider in cold to heat range. In other words now days 5W-30 or 5W-40 is the "recommended" oil specs. Older vehicles the specs were 10W-30 or 10W-40 or 15W-30, 15W-40.

The idea is the lower the oil spec the thinner the oil is when cold and this "helps" reduce the friction of the cold oil.

Where synthetics "shine" is in longevity, often can go a few miles longer on the oil changes. However the extra premium price of Synthetics sort of takes away this advantage in cost per quart..

If you are looking to "gain" mileage you have several choices... Lighten up on the go pedal OR trade your vehicle in for a "smart car".. But really there is NOTHING you can dump in your oil or gas which will increase mileage inspite of folks who make "claims" that it helps them. SAVE YOUR MONEY and don't bother with marketing gimmicks.

[352]

4 miles per hour difference for me

[SolidAxleDurang]

Why are you asking about MPG?

[ScottG]

I tried it in both diesels I've owned.
No difference what so ever.