Subaru: WRX change to Synthetic Oil...Opinions??

On turbo engines I would and do use Mobil 1 synthetic. Not really needed but
I do my own oil changes so the $ is a small factor (5 qts at
Wal-Mart=18,88$). Gives me peace of mind.
"Michael P. Smith" <com> wrote in message
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I use a synthetic in the winter and dino oil in the summer. It starts
much easier (noticably so) in the winter with the synthetic.

On Mon, 20 Oct 2003 19:15:51 GMT, "Edward Hayes"
<att.net> wrote:
 

Synthetics are superior in hot and cold climates. We have $20-30,000 +
cars and we worry about a few dollars the synthetics cost more than the
dino oils.

Although Synthetics cost more, your change intervals can be increased
to 7-10k miles quite easily with maybe some oil top offs needed due to
normal oil consumption. Some have gone to 15k (based on good results
from oil analysis) with only a filter change at 7-8k miles. Even so,
Sythetics will cost you more but how much is piece of mind worth?

CW

On Tue, 21 Oct 2003 22:29:25 -0400 (EDT), net (Jerre
Bassler) wrote:
 

Most synthetic are thinner than recommended by subaru. Eg (5-50 compared
with the recommended 10-30) If you ask most bearing experts they will tell
you that synthetics are only better than dino oil at extreme heat and
extreme cold. So they are good in very cold conditions ( zub zero winters)
or VERY hot summers.
The disadvantage is that the thinner oil will leek though seal that the
recommended oil wouldn't. this is partularly true with tubos. The result is
oil cosumption and an oil coated intercooler core.

Mike

"Michael P. Smith" <com> wrote in message
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How do you figure. A 5W30 dino is different from a 5W30 synthetic? And
synthetics leak through seals? Maybe if dino oil molecules were way
way bigger. Kinda like blood cells vs water molecules? I've used
synthetics with no ill effects. I agree, you'll be fine with dino oil
unless you're living in extreme temp areas like I do.


On Fri, 24 Oct 2003 13:15:06 +1300, "MIKE" <com> wrote:
 

You are right there is no viscosity difference between A 5W30 dino and 5W30
synthetic roughly speaking. But here in NZ at least all synthetics that i've
see are 5w50, or 0w50. these oils are too thin at normal operating
temperatures. note reccommended oils are 10w30 (normal conditions) or 5w30
(Cold Conditions)

Mike

"tom" <com> wrote in message
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winters) 
is 

To start with I do not know of any car company that recomends a 50w oil.
You say a a 5w-50 is thinner than a 10w-30 at normal temps?? The 50
weight would be heavier and only thinner in the cold 5w.
I know that Amsoil outperforms other oils in the Four-ball wear test
(ASTM D4172) 60 kg pressure @ 150 degree C, 1800 rpm for 1 hour duration
test. Amsoil 0w-30 had a 0.374 wear scar, Mobil 1 SuperSyn 5w-30 a
0.667 wear scar, Pennzoil 5w-30 w/purebase a 0.848, Quaker State 4x4
10w-30 blend 1.497. Dino oils are worse yet. Better protection at
normal temps a benefit of a good synthetic oils like Amsoil.