Switch to synthetic?

[DigUout]

Coming due for an oil change and have been thinking of going to Mobil 1.  Based on what I've read, my truck would be a good candidate.  It doesn't burn more than 1/2 quart between changes, we're subject to near 0 temps for 6 months a year, it's working harder with the 285's, planning on keeping the truck for another 30 payments or so, and I usually do the changes myself so what I save on labor, I can pay a little more per quart.

  What I don't know, is do I need to do anything other than a regular change?  Do I need to flush anything through or do 2 quick changes with the synthetic, say in a thousand miles, to clean the old out?  And would it be wise to switch all over to synthetic?  Appreciate any tips!

[LT]

DigUout,

You really don't have to do anything. I use mobil 1 filters as well. It's a super filter (?.00 though). You will not regret the change. We pay ?.50 + for a quart here in northwest Wisconsin. My son lives in Kansas and when we drive down to see him, I buy a years supply. The Wal-Mart near his house sells for ?.00 + for 5 quarts.

I use Mobil 1 in all of the motors around our place. Tractors, lawn mowers--everything. Good luck!

[76BBSub]

Same procedure as with any other oil, no special tricks required.

Let us know if you notice any positive or negative effects, like better mileage, lower temps, new leaks, etc.

Thanks!

Jeff

[DigUout]

Thanks guys.  Be changing in the next week or two and I'll definately post the results.

[Cruiser]

If you are wanting to switch to synthetic you should consider switching to Amsoil brand. I have been using it in my 94 Landcruiser since I bought it last year and improved my gas mileage from 14.5 MPG to 15.5 to 16 MPG and had a very noticeable improvement in acceleration. Check out my website at http://www.techdata.org for some testimonials and links to independant testing, etc.

I just bought a 1996 GMC Sierra Ext Cab 2WD with a 5.0 and 67,000 miles I'm going to convert to Amsoil. I used Amsoils Engine Flush prior to converting my Landcruiser to synthetic to help clean out some of the dinosaur deposits from the inside of the engine.

By their own makeup, synthetic lubricants have a detergent affect on the inside of your engine, cleaning it as they lubricate. By flushing before you switch, you will eliminate most of the varnish from the inside before the synthetic starts to work on it.

Also, using Amsoil you can switch to a 35,000 mile oil change! If you use the Series 2000 oil and an Amsoil oil filter, you don't have to change oil for up to 35,000 miles! The filter has to be changed every 12,500 miles.

I am using the Amsoil TriGuard system on my Landcruiser, which consists of using Amsoil Series 2000 oil, an Amsoil Air filter which is like a K&N but has far better flow and filtering, and a By-Pass Oil filter system which has two filters (the main and the By-Pass. The main is changed at 12,500 mi intervals and the By-Pass at 25-35,000 mile intervals.) The best thing about the TriGuard system is that I may NEVER have to change my oil again! The filtering of the Amsoil air filter and the By-Pass oil filter is so good oil contamination is virtually eliminated. (The ByPass filter filters out particles as small as .5 microns in size...it takes a 5 micron or larger particle to harm your engine. Typical oil filters only filter 30 microns or larger particles.)

Enough of my rambling...check out my site for more info.

[NewbieZ71]

Anyone who choses to change their oil in a ?K+ truck every 35,000 miles deserves what they get.  Same with changing the filter every 12,500 miles.  Even with Amsoil.  Just my opinion.  Good luck with your web site.

[The Beav]

Is it just me or do Amsoil folks seem almost cult-like in their devotion to their synth?  Or is Amsoil like Amway?  Still trying to figure it out...  None-the-less, I am a synthetic user (Mobil 1 + Mobil 1 filters).  I've only been running it @ 1K miles, but I've got @ 1.5 mpg more with the synth.  I made the change at @ 6K and haven't noticed any leaks or problems, only increased mileage (gotta love it!).  My only complaint is that the filters are tough to find.  My local WalMart and KMart carry the oil but not the filters.  I had to make a lot of calls to local auto parts stores till I finally found someone who carried them.

[DigUout]

35K mile oil change?  I think I've found the perfect synthetic for my wife!!  ;)

[NewbieZ71]

Over at Fruit-of-the-Loom.com same guy told everyone that it was OK to change your underwear every two weeks.  

I figure you get the same results.....lots of built up, um, well, carbon deposits.

[The Beav]

Thanks for some mental images that I just did not need!

[Frank S]

No offense intended to anyone but I don't think that anyone in here can say they have ever really seen me preach about the wonders of Amsoil,and I am an authorized dealer.I didn't sign up as a dealer to seel to the public but to get their product at dealer prices.

I don't recommend the vastly extended change intervals with any oil (just my opinion due to the principle of the matter) but I have gone around 15,000 miles with the oil in my engine and a filter changn half way before I plan to change the oil and I've had exactly 0 problems.

It is a very good oil.I switched over to it from Mobil 1 three years ago and I will not switch to anything else unless something can be proven better.

The engine smoothness of the Amsoil over the Mobil 1 alone was reason enough for me to change.

[Cruiser]

Sorry I caused a stir guys...I was just trying to help. I did not become a dealer until AFTER I tried AMSOILs products. I was just trying to offer a good suggestion about a tried and true product.

I had 132,000 miles on my Landcruiser when I switched to AMSOIL. I now have 152,000 miles on the same oil I put in at 132,000 and it still looks clean. I have had oil analysis done at 2500 miles and 15,000 miles, and there is so little difference in the readings it's scary. I have leaked out about 1/2 quart in 20,000 miles and that's all the oil loss I have had.

My point here is this: take my suggestion as you would any other. Investigate it and give it a chance before you put it down. All synthetics are not made the same. Do some research on oil bases, mixtures, etc and find out what's the best on your own if you don't want to let me offer any advice.

I too only became a dealer to get dealer pricing on the products, and later decided to put up a simple web site so others might find out how good the stuff really is. Take it for what it's worth.

[Frank S]

I didn't direct that post to you Cruiser.Sorry if it came off that way but that wasn't my intention.

It was more directed toward the cult comment that was made in a previous post which I'm sure wasn't meant as a personal insult to anyone but I felt it necessary to respond because I see people thrsahing products like Amsoil all of the time and most people have never tried these products.

[NewbieZ71]

My apologies also if I insulted anyone....my point is that compared to the cost of a truck, it costs so little to change oil and filter at more recognized intervals.  I have read about Amsoil and know that it is a well thought of product.  I think we kind of fall into old habits developed by dealing with all those "snake oil" sales people who have been on forums before you.....

By the way, welcome to the site! Next post I won't be so quick to jump all over you.  I appreciate you sincere comments.  

[The Beav]

OK.  So maybe cult-like was a little extreme, and subsequently semi-inflammatory.  I guess since you guys are dealers, it can be difficult not making a tech presentation sound like a sales pitch.  I just get very defensive and suspicious around sales people.  If a product is soooo good, why does it need to be sold?  It should sell itself.  On a suggestion from another forum, I have seen/read the data on Amsoil and from what I gather it is a fine product.  But, I still choose Mobil 1.  Tom*ay*to - Tom*a*to - yadda, yadda, yadda