SYNTHETIC OR NOT??

onemanarmy41 · Post by **onemanarmy41** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:43 pm

Hey i just got an 03 neon sxt with 60k on it. I was wondering if i should go to synthetic oil or just keep the conventional.

boxcarfan · Post by **boxcarfan** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:21 pm

dude i put castrol syntec in mine and i drove from SC to Nashville, and i got a crap load more miles to the tank(i know i got more miles to the tank because i drive that way many times before lol)...its good stuff....if you go with synthetic...do castrol syntec....if its good enough for BMWs its good enough for a Neon lol.

-Devil- · Post by **-Devil-** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:33 pm

the oil used in bmw's isnt what you find on the shelf at autozone ...

but on that note i use casterol full synthetic .. 30 weight ...

ewetho · Post by **ewetho** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:00 pm

If you are going to change your oil every 3000 miles then it really wont matter.

If you go 5-10K then most synthetics are just fine.

If you want to go further then Amsoil is probably your choice right now. But definitely get a Used oil analysis to see how far you can go.

I currently have have Amsoil 5W-30 with their EaO96 oil filter(Slightly taller than a viper filter but not as tall as an old FL-1A Motorcraft) and it filter much better than you know, almost to the point of a bypass filter without fear of getting blocked up. And it is very happy. Plan to go about 7.5K-10K on this oil change then 10K.

If you go racing then I would highly suggest Redline.

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:20 pm

ewetho wrote:If you are going to change your oil every 3000 miles then it really wont matter.

If you go 5-10K then most synthetics are just fine.

If you want to go further then Amsoil is probably your choice right now. But definitely get a Used oil analysis to see how far you can go.

I currently have have Amsoil 5W-30 with their EaO96 oil filter(Slightly taller than a viper filter but not as tall as an old FL-1A Motorcraft) and it filter much better than you know, almost to the point of a bypass filter without fear of getting blocked up. And it is very happy. Plan to go about 7.5K-10K on this oil change then 10K.

If you go racing then I would highly suggest Redline.

If you are going to listen to someone here about oil, this is your man. I know my share of stuff, but don't take my title on the left to heart. This guy knows his stuff.

Oil brand doesn't really matter too much. Use what you feel comfortable with. Syntec is good stuff, it has caught a lot of heat because its not "a true synthetic." It is a group 3 synthetic oil which many don't believe counts. But it does. I have personally had good experiences with Pennzoil Platnum and Quaker State Q synthetic oils. I'm not a big fan of Mobil oils because of their recent record profits, and also many people have noticed slightly louder engines when using Mobil 1.

The best thing about Pennzoil Platnum and Quaker State Q is that Advance Auto regularly runs buy one get one free on it. It is that way right now. $2.89 for a quart of oil with no coupons and no limit is awesome. I stocked up last time (bought 20 qts), otherwise I would probably get more right now.

ewetho · Post by **ewetho** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 11:55 pm

GRPIII is not an issue with synthetics anymore as most are either GRPIII or have a large slug of it now. Exceptions appear to be Amsoil non XL series and Royal Purple.

If you want an economical Synthetic probably about the best for up to 10K no more though is Pennzoil Platinum. The highest quality GRPIII out their and the super guru over on BITOG recommends it for almost anything. Runs good in our engines and wear numbers are consistently excellent. Q oil is actually different however may be starting with the same Shell GRPIII base now with a different add pack. Shell lets them compete with each other. Novel approach don't you think.

But basically any name brand synthetic up to 10K and Dino should goto 5K, and Amsoil if you want to longer than that. Redline for racing.

If you really want the best but uncertain about synthetic, then just get you favorite Dino (Bitog favorites include Motocraft/Trop Artic/Conoco/76( I know they list it as a Semi-Syn but we can discuss that later), GTX. I would whole heartedly ordering the new Amsoil EaO filters though. Over a conventional filter, it has shown a 90% reduction in particulate matter in the oil and even cleaner (Particles only, not talking acid build up etc.) than Mobil1 out of a bottle. It also because of the new media type will last 2-4 times longer than a factory filter even at the finer filtration rate.

That filter with conventional oil would make a mean combination for under 5K.

SlvrACR · Post by **SlvrACR** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:06 am

Since the 1st oil change at 1k miles the ACR has had Amsoil. I get it cheap so I run it always.

ewetho · Post by **ewetho** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:13 am

SilvrACR your car thanks you. Do you use the EaO filter? More important than the oil I think.

SlvrACR · Post by **SlvrACR** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:14 am

Ya I use the EaO42 the larger one. I change it at 3k just cause. It never is dark

Post by **racer12306** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 8:13 am

If you were to get an EaO Filter and you changed your oil every 5000 miles, could you leave the filter on for two or three changes?

kplaya186 · Post by **kplaya186** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:06 am

I am running Mobil 1 and have never had any problems with it.

gilly02le · Post by **gilly02le** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:37 am

I've been running Valvoline Synpower full synthetic 5w-30 in my car for over a year now and i am pretty happy with it, this oil stays very clean in my engine, and i really have no complaints about it.. i do notice once and a while after a long drive i can smell the hot oil when i have the hood open.. (this is because of the breather filter on the back of the valve cover tho, not due to burning oil) And i will say that the valve-train can take a second or two to quiet down.. but i expect that what with the way the lifters oil themselves...

Should i stick with this oil.. or go to something new.. see if i can get the engine a bit quieter.... i basically only chose this oil because they have it at Wal-mart and its about 10 dollars cheaper then Mobil 1, which i hear makes the valve-train a tad bit noisy, as well.... Anyone know the model number for the bigger oil filter for the neon.. i don't have any stores around me that stock Amsoil filters unfortunately.

Post by **racer12306** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:46 pm

you can look up a 2000 Dodge Ram with the 3.9, 5.2 or 5.9L engine. In Fram numbers it is PH16, you can use that to cross to your preferred brand.

Color of an oil doesn't really mean much. If you have no qualms with the oil then keep on using it.

Its $10 cheaper than Mobil 1 :shocked: Mobil 1 must be expensive up there.

ewetho · Post by **ewetho** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 7:35 pm

racer12306 wrote:If you were to get an EaO Filter and you changed your oil every 5000 miles, could you leave the filter on for two or three changes?

Theoretically yes. Not recommended but more manufacturers (Honda) are recommending oil change twice for each filter change.

gilly02le wrote:I've been running Valvoline Synpower full synthetic 5w-30 in my car for over a year now and i am pretty happy with it, this oil stays very clean in my engine, and i really have no complaints about it.. i do notice once and a while after a long drive i can smell the hot oil when i have the hood open.. (this is because of the breather filter on the back of the valve cover tho, not due to burning oil) And i will say that the valve-train can take a second or two to quiet down.. but i expect that what with the way the lifters oil themselves...

Should i stick with this oil.. or go to something new.. see if i can get the engine a bit quieter.... i basically only chose this oil because they have it at Wal-mart and its about 10 dollars cheaper then Mobil 1, which i hear makes the valve-train a tad bit noisy, as well.... Anyone know the model number for the bigger oil filter for the neon.. i don't have any stores around me that stock Amsoil filters unfortunately.

If you are gong after QUIET then probably try Pennzoil Platinum. Not a big deal the oil does fine protecting your engine. You can pic on price and sleep tight knowing you did well.

As far as the Amsoil EaO filter either find a dealer or oder direct online.

kplaya186 wrote:I am running Mobil 1 and have never had any problems with it.

I am not going to bash Mobil1 but stick with the regular stuff not the Extended Performance as UOA seem to be noticeably better with regular Mobil1 than the new stuff created for marketing that they charge more for.

Post by **racer12306** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 7:39 pm

yeah, i remember reading on BITOG that honda recommeds every other oil change for the filter.

maybe when i start going long changes, like 7500, ill get a few of them and change them every other time.

ewetho · Post by **ewetho** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 7:45 pm

As far as Amsoil filter sizes that work

EaO57 Stock size
EaO42 which is the ahem "Viper" size
EaO96 Which is .5-.75" taller than EaO42

EaO96 is still above the subframe but does stick down a bit. EaO42 is a great choice.

gilly02le · Post by **gilly02le** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 1:51 am

racer12306 wrote:Its $10 cheaper than Mobil 1 :shocked: Mobil 1 must be expensive up there.

Yeah its like 38.99 for 4.4L of 5w-30 here.. too expensive for me! mines only 28.00 and im happy with it.. i save my extra 10 beens and get a better filter