Thinking of changing to synthetic oil
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 600
Likes: 10
From: Rochester, NY
The weight ratings for conventional oil vs. synthetic oil are the same so you should not be concerned with leaks unless your engine already leaks oil. Synthetic oil is slipperier which helps components last longer. Its viscosity also breaks down much slower than conventional oil so in theory you could extend your oil change window. Just remember that viscosity breakdown is only half the reason you need to change your oil. The other half is how dirty the oil gets. It does not matter how long the oil lasts if it is filled with dirt and debris.
The general opinion is synthetic oil is far superior. The only downside to it is when it's used in new engines. New engines need a break-in period for moving parts to find their groove. Synthetic oil is so slippery that parts can break-in properly. You engine is at 50k, I would go ahead and make the swap.
The general opinion is synthetic oil is far superior. The only downside to it is when it's used in new engines. New engines need a break-in period for moving parts to find their groove. Synthetic oil is so slippery that parts can break-in properly. You engine is at 50k, I would go ahead and make the swap.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 4
From: New Mexico
The weight ratings for conventional oil vs. synthetic oil are the same so you should not be concerned with leaks unless your engine already leaks oil. Synthetic oil is slipperier which helps components last longer. Its viscosity also breaks down much slower than conventional oil so in theory you could extend your oil change window. Just remember that viscosity breakdown is only half the reason you need to change your oil. The other half is how dirty the oil gets. It does not matter how long the oil lasts if it is filled with dirt and debris.
The general opinion is synthetic oil is far superior. The only downside to it is when it's used in new engines. New engines need a break-in period for moving parts to find their groove. Synthetic oil is so slippery that parts can break-in properly. You engine is at 50k, I would go ahead and make the swap.
The general opinion is synthetic oil is far superior. The only downside to it is when it's used in new engines. New engines need a break-in period for moving parts to find their groove. Synthetic oil is so slippery that parts can break-in properly. You engine is at 50k, I would go ahead and make the swap.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 529
Likes: 13
From: wi
Use the Syn oil!
In motorcycles, its biggest advantages isn't really the longer service period between changes, but the superior lubrication on startup of a cold engine, where most of your engine wear actually occurs.
As far as 'break in' period and synthetic goes, everyone has their opinions... I have never seen scientific proof of synthetic oil doing any harm or otherwise. 'Break in' is mainly about bits of metal or debris left over from manufacturing finding their way to your oil filter or magnetic drain plugs more than anything else.
FWIW, I bought a new Subaru last year, it comes with fully synthetic oil in the crankcase, and per owner's manual, you aren't ever allowed to use dino oil in it at all.
In motorcycles, its biggest advantages isn't really the longer service period between changes, but the superior lubrication on startup of a cold engine, where most of your engine wear actually occurs.
As far as 'break in' period and synthetic goes, everyone has their opinions... I have never seen scientific proof of synthetic oil doing any harm or otherwise. 'Break in' is mainly about bits of metal or debris left over from manufacturing finding their way to your oil filter or magnetic drain plugs more than anything else.
FWIW, I bought a new Subaru last year, it comes with fully synthetic oil in the crankcase, and per owner's manual, you aren't ever allowed to use dino oil in it at all.
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