Full Synthetic or Synthetic Blend

[Amdavis76]

Hi All,
I have my first 1,000 miles on my new 2013 1500 Silverado. I am going to get the oil changed soon and am thinking to switching from the blended oil that comes stock to a full synthetic. Is there any real benefit to switching to full synthetic or would you recommend that I stay with the synthetic blend?

Thanks

[Cummins12V98]

The new 13 Ram Cummins has Rotella Synthetic as factory fill. I believe 5-40?

[wintersun]

Living in Los Angeles I would not use a synthetic blend. The advantages with the 5w40 oil is when driving in sub-zero weather. Not a lot of that in So CA. The downside of these oils is polymer shearing which translates into less protection for the engine's main bearings.

Towing or heavy hauling transates into severe duty and per the manufacturer's recommendations I change the oil and filter more often than if the truck was used to commute to work each day. With a 5k oil change interval there is zero benefit to use a synthetic over a SAE grade mineral oil.

If synthetics lived up to the hype it would be used in every big rig on the highway and every taxi cab in the world and it is not being done.

[roadrider10]

MH Smith is right. Only use "Dexos" approved motor oil in the new GM's. If you are changing it yourself I would save your receipts to show the dealer if you have any future warranty issues. The owners manual is pretty clear on that. When I took my 2012 GMC in for a dealer oil change the first question he asked was are you using Dexos approved motor oil. I had been using "mobil one" which is approved but when the dealer changes the oil I have him put in the synthetic blend that also has the "Dexos" label.

[Cummins12V98]

At 2K I changed all fluids to AMZ/OIL in sig below. Have used AMZ/OIL since the early 70's.

[mhsmith]

You need to be using a Dexos approved oil in that engine. At the shop we are using Mobil 1 in those applications. I would run another 1000 miles before thinking about the oil. Do it again at 5000, then every 5000 after that. I didn't put the full synthetic in mine until 10,000.

[C_Schomer]

I didn't think full syn was necessary after seeing that semi syn schaffers has done as well or better on the UOAs. Craig

[kennethwooster]

I've ran a lot of Mobile Delvac one in my trucks but the true test was out big 4 wheel tractors. Most tractors in the fields are at times pulling 90percent of capacity. Not to many engines have to do that. Mobile full synthetic proved its worth.

[Engineer9860]

Full synthetic for me in my tow vehicles. Normal dino in my daily drivers.

[The_Texan]

When Amsoil is willing to have ALL their "snake oil" tested like ALL other oil companies do, then I will support them, but NOT until. Some engine companies have flat said they will NOT warranty an engine that has used a lubrication that has not been tested and approved, so you are using Amsoil at your own risk.

[thomasmnile]

down home wrote:

When I find a source for the real Synthetics again I'm going to try them. Someone replied with a source while back. I'll have to find it again.

Amsoil. Always been a "full" synthetic, made from PAO base stocks. Snake oil to some, I use it. My vehicles, my money. :B

[down_home]

It is all Dino oil now. Back when we still could get real Synthetic I decided to try a blend. The engine had a turbo on it. The bearings get hot. The Dino part oil of the Blend would burn or caramalize or whatever into abrasives within the higher performance Synthetic. It looked like brown sugar and felt like sand around the turbo shaft when it was replaced.
I haven't tried a blend again.
When I find a source for the real Synthetics again I'm going to try them. Someone replied with a source while back. I'll have to find it again.

[JustLabs]

Unless you live where there are EXTREME cold or hot temps,or are going to run extended drain intervals,synthetic is a waste of money.

[tropicdad]

TECMike wrote:
Many years ago, the factory fill for Corvettes was Mobil 1 full synthetic. I do not know what they use now. Perhaps Corvette engines are broken in before they leave the factory.

I have been told a lot of regular oils today have more synthetic components in them than ever before. I use regular oil in our Mercury Mountaineer 4.6L V-8, with its all aluminium engine.

I use regular Shell 15w-40 Rotella in our 2002 Ford 7.3L diesel. All it has had in in since new. I can find it at any truck stop on the planet.

However, I use Mobil 1 full synthetic in our Honda 3000 generator as I am sometimes forgetful to change it regularly. I used it as its first fill when it was new. No problems and no oil consumption at all.

My 2007 Corvette came from GM with Mobil 1 and that is the only oil it has ever had. I prefer synthetic because I believe it keeps the engine cleaner and it leaves a film on the cylinders for cold startup. Heat and dino oil can cause carbon buid-up and coking which is why you must keep your oil changed regularly. I'm probably biased from being a jet engine mech in the AF where we used Conoco synthetic oil and saw how well it held up under extreme conditions.

My 2011 Mazda CX-9 came with synthetic from the factory also.

I think its fine to go full synthetic at your first oil change.

[The_Texan]

I have the Corvette(6.2L) engine in my truck and the dealer could make more money by installing full synthetic as I asked, but he said it would not help anything in the engine, or GM would have installed it from the getgo. He said all it would do is drain my pocketbook quicker...:B. So, I will stick with the blended synthetic that GM uses.