synthetic oil???

Hey folks,
wife's car has used 1/2 synthetic oil since new. Oil has always been changed by the garage next to where she works for no charge (bottle of JD). Anyway, the garage owner died a while back and it's time for an oil change. Went to get half syn (or any oil) on the local economy and it's outrageous (12-20 bucks a quart). Got decent prices on post but no half synthetic. Bought full synthetic but haven't used it yet. Think there is a problem?? 2.5 liter diesel in a 2006 kia Sorento.

Thanks, Dave

I would go with the fully synthetic, most newer
vehicles are recommending it. My brother-in-law says
semi-synthetic is for people who are not convinced
that synthetic is the way to go!

I use Mobil 1 Full Synthetic, its around $6.50 to $7 + at Wally World, sure NOT $10 to $12......

When I got my RV (454 Chevy) it used like a quart per 1200 miles,,,,,,I changed to Mobil 1 10/40 Full Syn and added a Quart of Lucas Syn Stabilizer and it went over 4,000 miles before it used a quart, at which time I changed it anyway.

Im a believer and user of Mobil 1 Full Syn, even at its cost its the cheapest insurance and maintenance a person can get in my opinion, and I plan to continue it use so there lol

John T

I have never used synthetic and don't plan on it. If I did I sure WOULDN'T run it for as long between oil changes that I hear people do. Synthetic will get dirty just like dino oil and I would want that dirty oil out.

Been using 100% synthetic engine oil since 1989.
My family and I do the extended drain also. One
oil change per 12 months with a filter change at 6
months. My son has the highest milage per year
with 24,000. That's in a Chevy Cobalt 09 model. We
use 0w30 signature sires from Amsoil. Got a 99
Nissan Frontier that had 1 oil change per year
since 2001. Still doing fine with 187,000 on it. I
use the diesel marine oil 15W40 in farm tractors
and with ULSD I run up to 300 hours or 12 months
on it also.

I don't trade cars or trucks. I buy used and run
the wheels off them. Total we have 9 engines with
100% synthetic oil in them and none have had a oil
related problem. Read and learn about synthetic.
Understand TBN ratings on oil and you'll soon find
that the old 3,000- 7,000 mile oil change is gone
by the way side with new technology in oils.

When I spend $8 a qt. I'm going to get enough
miles out of that oil that I will have a savings
over conventional oil even with higher prices.

Just switched a Ford Escape over to 0W20 and
picked up 1.8 miles to the gal. and no more
ticking noise from the top end of that engine. It
had 92,000 on it a few weeks ago when I changed it
over. Hope to get 300,000 out of it with 1 oil
change per year.

Do the math. If you drive over 12,000 miles per
year synthetic oil is the way to go with extended
oil drains.

Some cars/trucks will use oil when switched to a full synthetic. Many on here say they will quit but I did not try that long. My S-10 pickup with a 2.8 V-6 with 80k on it will use a quart in 300 mile of synthetic oil. I tried a couple of different brands. Now this is a 1993 truck, so maybe that is the issue.

I use synthetic in my heavy trucks and have been able to increase the oil change interval to 25k from 15k. When your talking 10 gallon at a time that is a savings.

So I can"t say weather the synthetic is the way to go or not. Many on here swear by it and others swear at it.

Two years I bought a 06 Chevy Impala LT 3.9 with less than 20,000 miles. Used no oil in first 3,000 miles.Ready for firt oil change, Chevy dealer said run syntheic. It used a quart and half oil in 3,000 miles. After two oil changes like that I went back to 10-40 non synthetic and use no oil between oil changes.

wow..lots of wives tales..

there are group II, group III, group IV and group V oils in america certified by the api.

group II is refined petroleum based oil and can run in most engines with the correct additive package.

group III is a hydrolize oil meaning that it came from petroleum, but through treatment and special refining, it results in an ultra pure molecule not found in nature and it is classified as synthetic. (there was a legal case on this)

group iv comes from natural gas and is a synthetic base

group v comes from esters and is a synthetic base.

bottom line.. high end group II, and higher can all perform in the top of the wear and use tests if....
if....
if....
they have the right additive package. even group iv and V oils cannot work well unless they have the correct additive package.

Sooooo.
drop the half or full synthetic crap.. buy an hd diesel oil that is rated for your engine. An oil that has the correct additive package to provide the needs. With the introduction of particulate filters, hd diesel oils now have less additives to keep from fouling up the filters, so newer forumlas of hd oils actually protect slightly less than older oils. It seems that too much moly additives which work on very hot surfaces to protect them, will actually go the very hot particulate filters and "stick" to them which makes them quit working.
buy the oil that meets the needs of the engine and do NOT worry about the hype. most all hd oils will have some group III or group IV base but only enough to make the additives work correctly.

I know the Motor Craft synthetic blend is about the same price as conventional oil. I seriously doubt it 50% synthetic but I use 5 quarts of it and one quart of Mobile 1 on my Kia Sedona. As long as they are the same weight you can make your own blend (or even if they aren't the same weight). If the cost of "blended" is too high I'd use your full synthetic and go half and half with a quality conventional oil.

No matter what anyone says I would only use the weight of oil recommended by Kia for that engine - and that's 5W20 unless operating in extreme heat then use the 5W30. I think the light weight of the oil is the reason they recomend the sythetic blend. Do not put 15W40 or some other heavier weight in an engine with that tight of tolerances.

I am much more interested in hearing how the Kia Diesel engine performs in your Sorento. There's only one or two car/light truck models in the US that offer a diesel engine at this time.

Where are you located?

There are many personal opinions on this subject. Here is one good report that I think is worth reading--http://www.nordicgroup.us/oil.htm
I have done quite a lot of research on this subject and this particular topic is nearly the same as others related to the same subject.

(quoted from post at 05:28:47 07/06/11) Hey folks,
wife's car has used 1/2 synthetic oil since new. Oil has always been changed by the garage next to where she works for no charge (bottle of JD). Anyway, the garage owner died a while back and it's time for an oil change. Went to get half syn (or any oil) on the local economy and it's outrageous (12-20 bucks a quart). Got decent prices on post but no half synthetic. Bought full synthetic but haven't used it yet. Think there is a problem?? 2.5 liter diesel in a 2006 kia Sorento.

Thanks, Dave

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I ran the API oil audit for a number of years. They have cut testing down to bare bones these days so don't depend on their seal of approval to mean much. Synthetics are the way to go.

Years ago GM said not to run 10w-40 as it makes carbon build up on top of the pistons.

Check your manual it may say use 10w-30

All our vehicles for some time have been 5-30, a warranty requirement!

I have Three gallon of new 10W40 motor oil---about five years old. I have no vehicles that recommend this weight. My oldest is a 2001 Ford Ranger with 4L. It would probably be ok, but why chance it :?: Just can't bring myself to dispose of it

Group III oils are full synthetic only in the United Stated. In the rest of the world to be a full synthetic they have to be at least group IV.

Why would you want half synthentic oil? Oil that says full synthentic is crude oil based anyhow.It has to say synthetic lubricant to be a true synthetic.Most manufactures don't recommend it for engines.It comes standard in new trannys and rear ends,not in engines.

(quoted from post at 06:54:21 07/06/11) I am much more interested in hearing how the Kia Diesel engine performs in your Sorento. There's only one or two car/light truck models in the US that offer a diesel engine at this time.

Where are you located?

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Thanks folks! I have mobil1 0w40 and will go with it.

As for the diesel kia...
I'm in Germany and diesel is about 60 cents a gallon cheaper than gas. Sounds good but the germans that run diesels have to pay other ways.... Still, if they drive a bunch, it's worth it.
It's a 2.5 liter V6 ( I believe mercedes) motor and 5sp transmissionruns like a champ and gets about 30 mpg autobahn driving. Zooms along with a 2 horse trailer loaded (2 ton) like it's not there.

(quoted from post at 18:56:29 07/06/11) Why would you want half synthentic oil? Oil that says full synthentic is crude oil based anyhow.It has to say synthetic lubricant to be a true synthetic.Most manufactures don't recommend it for engines.It comes standard in new trannys and rear ends,not in engines.

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I agree----I know thangs [b:dbee114d38]COULD [/b:dbee114d38]be different today, but a few years ago, we were cautioned not to mix synthetic with Petrolium oil.
I am sure manufacturers have found a way to blend but I still will not use, or mix, a blend.

According to Valvoline there is no issue blending synthetic and conventional oil.


http://www.valvoline.com/faqs/motor-oil/full-synthetic-motor-oil/

Couldnt agree more, but itll be like spitting in the wind to try and educate the experts on this board!!

Cadillacs and Corvettes come filled with Mobil 1 from the factory.