Oil change - regular or Synthetics?

[aharbour]

Am I better getting a 3 monthly regular oil change or a six month synthetic oil change?

Obviously a 3 month synthetic change would be best but i am trying the make the decision based on cost.

[Elemental]

The best oil (in my opinion) is the ones thats changed often.

[lazerusrm]

Run a full synthetic, change it every 10-12k miles...

Mobil 1 should do fine.

No need to change synthetic often. its a huge waste.

why run non-synthetic when running full synthetic ends up costing the same, and wearing your engine... less

[Evil_speedracer]

Werd ^ I only use full synthetic in all of my machines.

[Disco Mike]

Synthetic oil is great but because of the way our engine run so rich, you can't go past 5000 miles or the oil is too contaminated.
Mike

[Elemental]

Originally Posted by aharbour

Obviously a 3 month synthetic change would be best but i am trying the make the decision based on cost.

Based on cost.... Dead Dino! Hands down.

These engines can make 200,000 BMOH on regular oil so lets use 200k as the benchmark.

200,000 Miles divided by 3k oil changes = 67 Oil Changes.

Currently Mobil Dead Dino is going for $2.58 per quart...Times 7 is $18.06

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...goryCode=3253C

Figure 7 bucks for a Napa Wix Filter and we are at $25.06 per oil change.

$25.06 time 67 oil changes = $1,679.02 for this engine from new to major overhaul.

Lets break it down using 6,000 miles oil changes at the same mileage.

Mobil One is going for $4.98 a Quart. Times 7 is $34.86

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...goryCode=4019B

Figure 7 bucks for a filter = 41.86

$41.86 times 34 is $1,423.24

Cost savings over 200,000 miles $255.78!

Arguement number one.
--------------------------

Yeah, but this engine will likely live longer then 200k on Syn.

Not true. Any engine at 200k is going to need some freshing up. Also, if you bought this car new, it is very unlikely you are going to keep it that long. At 200k there are many other factors other then the engine that may motivate you to get rid of it.

Also, keep in mind that you also get to look under your hood and under your truck when doing a oil change. That gives you a chance to detect small problems before they grow into big ones.

And, of course, the freshest oil is the best oil.

[apbtpetey]

Originally Posted by lazerusrm

Run a full synthetic, change it every 10-12k miles...

Mobil 1 should do fine.

No need to change synthetic often. its a huge waste.

why run non-synthetic when running full synthetic ends up costing the same, and wearing your engine... less

10-12k between oil changes, holy crap I know which used rover not to buy. No way I would go that many miles on a rover between oil changes.

[Elemental]

Originally Posted by apbtpetey

10-12k between oil changes, holy crap I know which used rover not to buy. No way I would go that many miles on a rover between oil changes.

Nah John, the top offs in between changes makes up for it.

[ArmyRover]

after one or two 12k runs you really don't have to worry about changing the oil since it won't be flowing to anything anyways.

On the flipside though it might be a good way to stop some of the notorious Rover leaks

[-MOSES-]

5k between changes MAX, Its a Rover..... I use synthetic in my air compressor, and my tractor which can sit for a while but not my Rover. Good old Castrol works just fine and I change my oil quite often so I'm not dumping out 40 bucks every 3 or 4k.. Is your rover all oily underneath ? do you use synthetic oil or reg ?

[lazerusrm]

Has anyone sent oil in for an analysis at 5k miles to confirm any of this?

[apbtpetey]

Originally Posted by lazerusrm

Has anyone sent oil in for an analysis at 5k miles to confirm any of this?

Don't need to, when I had my Disco I let it go to 5k once and the oil came out pure black and oil isn't suppose to be that color. No need to send it for analysis.