I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? If so, why? I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Thanks
Rick

On Aug 31, 4:08*pm, RickH wrote:
I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). *When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. *Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? *If so, why? *I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Rick:

Not true .Synthetic motor oils are completely compatible with mineral
motor oils.

Pierre

On Aug 31, 4:08�pm, RickH wrote:
I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). �When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. �Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? �If so, why? �I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Thanks
Rick

I wouldn't think it would matter or there would be a warning on the
label. Anyway, how long will you own that car? Most of todays cars can
run 200-300K without any major problems. Why pay the extra? No one hs
ever asked me what kind of oil I used when they were buying a car (or
anything witha motor) from me.

Hank

"RickH" wrote in message
...
I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge
and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it,
(vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that
once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil
change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go
back to
regular oil after using synthetic? If so, why? I had a car in
early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I
used
all different oils.

Rick


In researching synthetic oil use, a while back, the only
generalized comment was that you do not want to convert an older,
well worn car to pure synthetic.

The reasoning was that the non-synthetic/conventional oils for
older vehicles have *seal conditioners* etc.. in the oil to help
keep the well worn and old rubber seals from leaking ?

I do not have any sources for the truth/proof of this belief.

Most people with an opinion and maybe some knowledge believed
that all age cars can benefit from synthetic.

So, i typically use 1 quart of pure synthetic and top off rest
with conventional oil (~ 2-3 quarts) on my older vehicles in
whatever brand oil i am using (eg. mobile / castrol),

in my case that is Castrol Syntec and Castrol GTX high mileage
or Mobile 1 and Mobile high mileage etc.

The other point many commentors made was to avoid the "blended"
(synthetic + conventional) products as you can blend your own.

well i hope that was worth $0.02 (US)

robb

On Aug 31, 3:08*pm, RickH wrote:
I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). *When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. *Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? *If so, why? *I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Thanks
Rick

They just want you back buying the better-more expensive oil, a bit
more profit for them.

On Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:08:11 -0700 (PDT), RickH
wrote:

I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? If so, why? I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Thanks
Rick

What the hell does this have to do with home repair? I'm sure you
could find a group that was appropriate for your question. You may
even get a correct answer.

Gordon Shumway

On Aug 31, 3:08*pm, RickH wrote:
I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). *When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. *Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? *If so, why? *I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Thanks
Rick

I bought a ATV several years ago and the dealer told me the same thing
- "If you break it in on synthetic you need to keep using it or it
will burn oil with conventional oil". I bought a ZTR mower this year
and the service manager told me the same thing. I don't know if it's
true or not but there are a lot of service departments telling their
customers that it is.

Red

Gordon Shumway wrote:

On Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:08:11 -0700 (PDT), RickH
wrote:

I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? If so, why? I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Thanks
Rick

What the hell does this have to do with home repair? I'm sure you
could find a group that was appropriate for your question. You may
even get a correct answer.

What it has to do with home repair, is that the OP should be doing the
oil change at home, properly. A trained chipmunk could do a better job
than Jip-me Lube.

On Aug 31, 4:33*pm, "Hustlin' Hank" wrote:
On Aug 31, 4:08 pm, RickH wrote:

I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? If so, why? I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Thanks
Rick

I wouldn't think it would matter or there would be a warning on the
label. Anyway, how long will you own that car? Most of todays cars can
run 200-300K without any major problems. Why pay the extra? No one hs
ever asked me what kind of oil I used when they were buying a car (or
anything witha motor) from me.

Hank

You're right. I sold my 95 Avalon (first year they were made) last
year at 270,000 miles and the engine ran as quitely as day 1, so did
the transmission. A compression test on that Toyota V6 showed
excellent, even, pressure on all cylinders.

I let it go mostly because of other "little" stuff like door locks
sticking, windows sluggish, a small AC leak, etc. The guy who got
the car (my brother in law) is still driving it over 350K, he was down
on his luck and needed a car.

I used sythetic oil in that car maybe 3 times, but they never "warned"
me about changing back.

On Aug 31, 5:39*pm, Gordon Shumway wrote:
On Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:08:11 -0700 (PDT), RickH





wrote:
I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). *When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. *Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? *If so, why? *I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Thanks
Rick

What the hell does this have to do with home repair? *I'm sure you
could find a group that was appropriate for your question. *You may
even get a correct answer.

Gordon Shumway- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Ya know, a lot of folks ask about internal combustion engines here for
their 20 year old 5-bucks-at-a-garage-sale lawn mowers.

A car is the second or third largest expense for most folks, and that
answer could be applied to other engines too.

Sheesh

On Aug 31, 7:26*pm, "Pete C." wrote:
Gordon Shumway wrote:

On Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:08:11 -0700 (PDT), RickH
wrote:

I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). *When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. *Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? *If so, why? *I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Thanks
Rick

What the hell does this have to do with home repair? *I'm sure you
could find a group that was appropriate for your question. *You may
even get a correct answer.

What it has to do with home repair, is that the OP should be doing the
oil change at home, properly. A trained chipmunk could do a better job
than Jip-me Lube.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


I changed my own oil for 30 years 72-02, now I'd much rather do other
things, I've paid my dues and earned the money to let some well-
trained chipmunks do it. I have better uses for the 20 or so years I
have left in this mortal coil

On Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:08:39 -0700 (PDT), windcrest
wrote:

On Aug 31, 5:39*pm, Gordon Shumway wrote:
On Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:08:11 -0700 (PDT), RickH





wrote:
I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). *When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. *Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? *If so, why? *I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Thanks
Rick

What the hell does this have to do with home repair? *I'm sure you
could find a group that was appropriate for your question. *You may
even get a correct answer.

Gordon Shumway- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Ya know, a lot of folks ask about internal combustion engines here for
their 20 year old 5-bucks-at-a-garage-sale lawn mowers.

A car is the second or third largest expense for most folks, and that
answer could be applied to other engines too.

Sheesh

With that flawed logic you probably think it proper to discuss quantum
mechanics in this group too because those principles are at work in
our homes. Taking it one step further we might as well combine all
discussion groups into one because we are either at home or not when
everything happens.

Gordon Shumway

Van Chocstraw wrote:

RickH wrote:
I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? If so, why? I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Thanks
Rick

Synthetics just give you a longer time between oil changes. If you go
back to regular you change more often. Jetta Diesels specify synthetic
for longevity and fewer oil changes. VW also pays for the first 3 or 4
oil changes.

Synthetics are particularly helpful for engines with turbos as the
synthetics have higher temperature tolerance and resistance to "cooking"
in the turbo bearings after you shut the engine off.

On Aug 31, 8:03�pm, Red wrote:

I bought a ATV several years ago and the dealer told me the same thing
- "If you break it in on synthetic you need to keep using it or it
will burn oil with conventional oil". �I bought a ZTR mower this year
and the service manager told me the same thing. �I don't know if it's
true or not but there are a lot of service departments telling their
customers that it is.

Red

In regards to ATV's, depending on the type of clutch, using synthetic
oil can make the clutch slip (usually on wet multi-plate clutches).

Hank

"Pete C." wrote in message
ster.com...

Van Chocstraw wrote:

RickH wrote:
I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? If so, why? I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Thanks
Rick

Synthetics just give you a longer time between oil changes. If you go
back to regular you change more often. Jetta Diesels specify synthetic
for longevity and fewer oil changes. VW also pays for the first 3 or 4
oil changes.

Synthetics are particularly helpful for engines with turbos as the
synthetics have higher temperature tolerance and resistance to "cooking"
in the turbo bearings after you shut the engine off.

some cars require synthetic. for example, corvettes starting in the late 80s
required moble 1 or equivalent.

I wonder just how this "shop" would explain away blended oils
(synthetic+dino blend) sold by just about every brand out there ??

RickH wrote:
I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? If so, why? I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Thanks
Rick

On Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:08:11 -0700 (PDT), RickH
wrote:

I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? If so, why? I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Thanks
Rick

Yes it is true. It is always best to stay with the same oil, same
brand. If you buy a used car, continue with the same oil as the
previous owner. Engines may run differently, depending on viscosity,
detergents, and additives. It is best to stick with the
manufacturer's recommendations, although I've always changed oil every
3,000 miles. Oil breaks down over time, synthetics also but slower.
As a DIY, I would expect you would change your own oil--it's a fast
and easy job and allows you to inspect for possible problems
elsewhere.

On Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:08:11 -0700 (PDT), RickH
wrote:

I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? If so, why? I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Thanks
Rick

Jiffy Lube must be planing on raising the price of synthetic
oils soon.

That old story was a little bit true back when it first came
out. There were some non-compatable addative packages. That problem
is long gone.

I would recommend avoiding those quick lube places like the
plague. They all give the staff too little time to do the job right
(often the job is not done right) and they have a very bad habbit of
selling services that are not needed. The business model dictates
that kind of business. They could not make a profit otherwise.

on 9/1/2009 4:10 PM (ET) wrote the following:
On Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:08:11 -0700 (PDT), RickH
wrote:


I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? If so, why? I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Thanks
Rick


Jiffy Lube must be planing on raising the price of synthetic
oils soon.

That old story was a little bit true back when it first came
out. There were some non-compatable addative packages. That problem
is long gone.

I would recommend avoiding those quick lube places like the
plague. They all give the staff too little time to do the job right
(often the job is not done right) and they have a very bad habbit of
selling services that are not needed. The business model dictates
that kind of business. They could not make a profit otherwise.


I haven't had any bad experiences with my local Jiffy Lube. The mechanic
has come out with the air filter and told me that the filter was not
that bad and they didn't think it needed replacement.
It is a lot cheaper than the local non-Jiffy Lube service stations.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

On Sep 1, 3:08*pm, Phisherman wrote:
On Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:08:11 -0700 (PDT), RickH





wrote:
I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). *When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. *Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? *If so, why? *I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Thanks
Rick

Yes it is true. *It is always best to stay with the same oil, same
brand. *If you buy a used car, continue with the same oil as the
previous owner. * Engines may run differently, depending on viscosity,
detergents, and additives. *It is best to stick with the
manufacturer's recommendations, although I've always changed oil every
3,000 miles. *Oil breaks down over time, synthetics also but slower.
As a DIY, I would expect you would change your own oil--it's a fast
and easy job and allows you to inspect for possible problems
elsewhere. *

And I would disagree. What makes the one specific oil that the
previous owner happened to choose so special? What if he said he used
several brands, would you walk away from buying the car because it's
gonna blow up soon?

With almost all modern cars, the manufacturer lists many oils of
differing viscosity and brands that may be used. At any oil
change, you could use any one of them. All oils are tested
extensively in actual engines to meet API standards, which are most
important and listed on the container. Individual auto
manufacturers may have their own specs, which exceed the API ones.
But still there are usually many oils, multiple brands that will meet
those specs. I'd be suspicious that auto companies that say you can
only use Brand X are doing it not because the engine won't last just
as long, but because they have some deal with that oil company, eg
they get a discount on their purchases by exclusively recommending
only that brand.

On Wed, 2 Sep 2009 05:56:12 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Sep 1, 3:08Â*pm, Phisherman wrote:
On Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:08:11 -0700 (PDT), RickH





wrote:
I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). Â*When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. Â*Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? Â*If so, why? Â*I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Thanks
Rick

Yes it is true. Â*It is always best to stay with the same oil, same
brand. Â*If you buy a used car, continue with the same oil as the
previous owner. Â* Engines may run differently, depending on viscosity,
detergents, and additives. Â*It is best to stick with the
manufacturer's recommendations, although I've always changed oil every
3,000 miles. Â*Oil breaks down over time, synthetics also but slower.
As a DIY, I would expect you would change your own oil--it's a fast
and easy job and allows you to inspect for possible problems
elsewhere. Â*

And I would disagree. What makes the one specific oil that the
previous owner happened to choose so special? What if he said he used
several brands, would you walk away from buying the car because it's
gonna blow up soon?

With almost all modern cars, the manufacturer lists many oils of
differing viscosity and brands that may be used. At any oil
change, you could use any one of them. All oils are tested
extensively in actual engines to meet API standards, which are most
important and listed on the container. Individual auto
manufacturers may have their own specs, which exceed the API ones.
But still there are usually many oils, multiple brands that will meet
those specs. I'd be suspicious that auto companies that say you can
only use Brand X are doing it not because the engine won't last just
as long, but because they have some deal with that oil company, eg
they get a discount on their purchases by exclusively recommending
only that brand.


Just my take - but if a vehicle has had the same premium oil used for
every oil change, chances are pretty good the owner has been pretty
"anal" about maintenance as a whole - ie . you are likely buying
something that's been looked after.

If it's had the "flavor of the week" for oil, chances are pretty good
the owner was a chiseler who cut corners wherever he could
maintenance-wise.

On Sep 1, 3:10*pm, wrote:
On Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:08:11 -0700 (PDT), RickH





wrote:
I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). *When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. *Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.

First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? *If so, why? *I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.

Thanks
Rick

* * * * Jiffy Lube must be planing on raising the price of synthetic
oils soon. *

* * * * That old story was a little bit true *back when it first came
out. *There were some non-compatable addative packages. *That problem
is long gone. *

* * * * I would recommend avoiding those quick lube places like the
plague. *They all give the staff too little time to do the job right
(often the job is not done right) and they have a very bad habbit of
selling services that are not needed. *The business model dictates
that kind of business. *They could not make a profit otherwise.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I have to apologize. I shoudn't have called it Jiffy Lube, that name
is becoming like "Xerox" when you go to make a copy "Xerox this
please". The outfit I went to is a local shop (Fullers) not a chain,
they also give a free car wash with every oil change (interior detail
and exterior and vacuum and windows/wheels included). They are good
people but apparently are doing a little customer manipulation on
their Syntec contract.

My bad for calling it Jiffy Lube, thats just what I tend to call all
oil change places.

With the free car wash and $29 for the oil change, I'm coming out
ahead over doing both jobs on my own time.

wrote:
On Wed, 2 Sep 2009 05:56:12 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Sep 1, 3:08 pm, Phisherman wrote:
On Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:08:11 -0700 (PDT), RickH





wrote:
I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.
First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? If so, why? I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.
Thanks
Rick
Yes it is true. It is always best to stay with the same oil, same
brand. If you buy a used car, continue with the same oil as the
previous owner. Engines may run differently, depending on viscosity,
detergents, and additives. It is best to stick with the
manufacturer's recommendations, although I've always changed oil every
3,000 miles. Oil breaks down over time, synthetics also but slower.
As a DIY, I would expect you would change your own oil--it's a fast
and easy job and allows you to inspect for possible problems
elsewhere.
And I would disagree. What makes the one specific oil that the
previous owner happened to choose so special? What if he said he used
several brands, would you walk away from buying the car because it's
gonna blow up soon?

With almost all modern cars, the manufacturer lists many oils of
differing viscosity and brands that may be used. At any oil
change, you could use any one of them. All oils are tested
extensively in actual engines to meet API standards, which are most
important and listed on the container. Individual auto
manufacturers may have their own specs, which exceed the API ones.
But still there are usually many oils, multiple brands that will meet
those specs. I'd be suspicious that auto companies that say you can
only use Brand X are doing it not because the engine won't last just
as long, but because they have some deal with that oil company, eg
they get a discount on their purchases by exclusively recommending
only that brand.


Just my take - but if a vehicle has had the same premium oil used for
every oil change, chances are pretty good the owner has been pretty
"anal" about maintenance as a whole - ie . you are likely buying
something that's been looked after.

If it's had the "flavor of the week" for oil, chances are pretty good
the owner was a chiseler who cut corners wherever he could
maintenance-wise.

I got over 200,000 on my van using walmart brand cheap oil and it still
ran great when I traded it in. There are "chiselers" and there are
"suckers" when buying motor oil.

I buy the cheap stuff just so it complies with the factory warranty.
Others buy the brand name advertised stuff and pay for their
advertising. I choose not to pay for their advertising.

As far as not using the same brand oil all the time, or synthetic all
the time... that is simply the dumbest thing I ever heard! The only
time that holds true is in older motors that had been run on non
detergent oil then changing to HD, high detergent oil.

Tony wrote:
wrote:
On Wed, 2 Sep 2009 05:56:12 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Sep 1, 3:08 pm, Phisherman wrote:
On Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:08:11 -0700 (PDT), RickH





wrote:
I went to the Jiffy Lube this weekend and thought I'd splurge and put
in some Castrol Syntec as they were having a sale on it, (vehicle 2007
Toyota RAV4). When I asked for the Syntec the guy said that once you
go to a synthetic oil, you should stay on it and not go back to
regular oil. Well since the the regular cost of a Syntec oil change
is double, I said forget it and just put in regular oil.
First, is it true what the guy said about it being "bad" to go back to
regular oil after using synthetic? If so, why? I had a car in early
the 90's that loved Mobile 1, ran great on it, I dont remember
dedicating that car to Mobile 1 though for all time, I'm sure I used
all different oils.
Thanks
Rick
Yes it is true. It is always best to stay with the same oil, same
brand. If you buy a used car, continue with the same oil as the
previous owner. Engines may run differently, depending on viscosity,
detergents, and additives. It is best to stick with the
manufacturer's recommendations, although I've always changed oil every
3,000 miles. Oil breaks down over time, synthetics also but slower.
As a DIY, I would expect you would change your own oil--it's a fast
and easy job and allows you to inspect for possible problems
elsewhere.
And I would disagree. What makes the one specific oil that the
previous owner happened to choose so special? What if he said he used
several brands, would you walk away from buying the car because it's
gonna blow up soon?

With almost all modern cars, the manufacturer lists many oils of
differing viscosity and brands that may be used. At any oil
change, you could use any one of them. All oils are tested
extensively in actual engines to meet API standards, which are most
important and listed on the container. Individual auto
manufacturers may have their own specs, which exceed the API ones.
But still there are usually many oils, multiple brands that will meet
those specs. I'd be suspicious that auto companies that say you can
only use Brand X are doing it not because the engine won't last just
as long, but because they have some deal with that oil company, eg
they get a discount on their purchases by exclusively recommending
only that brand.


Just my take - but if a vehicle has had the same premium oil used for
every oil change, chances are pretty good the owner has been pretty
"anal" about maintenance as a whole - ie . you are likely buying
something that's been looked after.

If it's had the "flavor of the week" for oil, chances are pretty good
the owner was a chiseler who cut corners wherever he could
maintenance-wise.

I got over 200,000 on my van using walmart brand cheap oil and it still
ran great when I traded it in. There are "chiselers" and there are
"suckers" when buying motor oil.

And there are folks who understand a statistical sample size of one
isn't much to hang your hat on.


I buy the cheap stuff just so it complies with the factory warranty.
Others buy the brand name advertised stuff and pay for their
advertising. I choose not to pay for their advertising.

As far as not using the same brand oil all the time, or synthetic all
the time... that is simply the dumbest thing I ever heard! The only
time that holds true is in older motors that had been run on non
detergent oil then changing to HD, high detergent oil.

"George" wrote in message
I got over 200,000 on my van using walmart brand cheap oil and it still
ran great when I traded it in. There are "chiselers" and there are
"suckers" when buying motor oil.

And there are folks who understand a statistical sample size of one isn't
much to hang your hat on.

You can increase the sample size. I know of a half dozen engines that hit
the 200k mark (one that is at 325k) with dino oil. Synthetic oil is a
better product, but today's regular oil is quite sufficient for 99% of
drivers. Even "cheap oil" that meets the specifications is damned good,
far better than the stuff we had in the 60's.

On Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:34:12 -0400, Tony
wrote:


I got over 200,000 on my van using walmart brand cheap oil and it still
ran great when I traded it in. There are "chiselers" and there are
"suckers" when buying motor oil.

I buy the cheap stuff just so it complies with the factory warranty.
Others buy the brand name advertised stuff and pay for their
advertising. I choose not to pay for their advertising.

As far as not using the same brand oil all the time, or synthetic all
the time... that is simply the dumbest thing I ever heard! The only
time that holds true is in older motors that had been run on non
detergent oil then changing to HD, high detergent oil.

Hey, I know guys that have gotten 200,000 and never changed the oil
Doesn't mean it's right, or smart.
Does mean they are cheap buggers.

Good engine oil, changed often enough, is the cheapest engine
insurance you can buy. Oil is the lifeblood of an engine. It cools,
lubticates, and cleans the engine.

I don't buy the most expensive I can buy either, but I don't buy the
cheapest I can get.

My PT Cruizer was on a synthetic diet when I bought it at 100,000km,
and I change it 3 times a year. My Mystique has been on a conventional
oil diet all it's life, and it gets changed 4 times a year.

My 88 New Yorker was on a conventional oil diet, changed 4 times a
year 'till I sold it with 240,000 on it at 18 years of age - still
passing E-test and using no oil (heads had been rebuilt due to
Mitsubishi 3 liter guide problems)

Synth change, with filter on the PT is Canadian $42 including taxes,
so I'm not paying through the nose.

On Thu, 3 Sep 2009 21:44:49 -0400, "Ed Pawlowski"
wrote:


"George" wrote in message
I got over 200,000 on my van using walmart brand cheap oil and it still
ran great when I traded it in. There are "chiselers" and there are
"suckers" when buying motor oil.

And there are folks who understand a statistical sample size of one isn't
much to hang your hat on.

You can increase the sample size. I know of a half dozen engines that hit
the 200k mark (one that is at 325k) with dino oil. Synthetic oil is a
better product, but today's regular oil is quite sufficient for 99% of
drivers. Even "cheap oil" that meets the specifications is damned good,
far better than the stuff we had in the 60's.

Biggest change is no more Phosphorous scavengers in fuel to handle the
lead - whick means no more Phosphoric acid in the oil.
Unleaded fuel was the biggest step forward in vehicle longevity in the
last 50 years.

That said, yes, oil has improved. But it has also in some ways
deteriorated. In any lightweight oil there is no zinc anti-wear
additives any more. Still there, apparently, in 20W50 and in racing
oil etc. Not in 5w20, 5w30, 10,w30 or 10w40 standard SJ or better
oils.
Neigbour's Chevy pickup went 700,000km without being opened up at all
- not even a valve cover removed - on dyno oil. All highway miles -
mostly 100km at a time.

Highly stressed wrung out 2.4 and 2.5 liter engines demand more of
their oil than 5.7 liter low reving V8s.