is synthetic oil worth it?

Switching is OK. Mixing synthetic and non-synthetic is bad, not switching from one to the other. Always change the oil filter when switching between the two types to avoid mixing what is retained in the oil filter.

 

thanks for the reply, since Summer is almost here and I'm not likely to hit anything below the low 50's do you think I'll be ok? Do you know at what temp. it might become critical?

 

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Uhm, what do you think a synthetic blend is?

 

It would not bother me if it was a high quality 10W-30. I would be more bothered if it were a low quality oil regardless of weight. Definitely want to change out before any freezing weather.

 

A very specific formulation to meet all the specifications required. It is definitely not a random mixture of potentially incompatable chemistries (which is what you get when you mix oils).

 

There is zero problem with mixing the two. Here is but one thread of many on the issue at bobistheoilguy:


Mixing Synthetic and non-Synthetic oil together - Bob Is The Oil Guy

Mobil says it's fine:

Mixing Synthetic and Conventional Motor Oils

So does Amsoil:

AMSOIL - Extended Life 5W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil (XLM)

 

Here is the actual AMSOIL statement:
MIXING AMSOIL
AMSOIL XL Synthetic Motor Oils are compatible with conventional and other synthetic motor oils. Mixing AMSOIL XL Synthetic Motor Oils with any other oil, however, will shorten the oil life expectancy and reduce the performance benefits. AMSOIL does not support extended drain intervals where oils have been mixed. Aftermarket oil additives are not recommended for use with AMSOIL XL Synthetic Motor Oils.

The Mobil site talked about blended formulations at the oil companies, not in the car.

The Bob site was a bunch of posters claiming they had no problem. That does not work for me, nor should it be justification for stating there is no problem of any combination.

I'm sorry, but I can not read this official statement and claim that there is "zero problem" with mixing the two, especially any two different oils on the market. Additionally, since I send all my oil to be analysed, mixing would render the analysis worthless.

 

LOL, some people can't admit when they made a mistake. Read the Mobil statement again, you very obviously misread it. And of course if you mix dino oil with synthetic you will not get the full benefits of using a full synthetic. Kind of goes without saying. I note with interest you provide no link supporting your position (and there's a reason for that).


Mobil:
Question: Mixing Synthetic and Conventional Motor Oils Can you ever blend synthetic oils and conventional oils? If so, what is the ratio? -- Julie Patten, Des Moines, IAAnswer: Yes, synthetic oils can be blended with conventional oils. Several companies, including ExxonMobil, market synthetic blends which are a combination of synthetic and conventional oils. In the case of ExxonMobil, the ratio of synthetic to conventional oil in these products is considered proprietary information.

 

Just keep doing the UOAs, and post the results. The Prius community thanks you.

 

Woohooo Thanks!

 

Yes, excellent tip, thank you.

 

I would like to maintain this on a civilized note. I am not questioning your oil knowledge nor overstating mine. It's more productive to proceed with respectful exchanges than otherwise. Let's continue.

I cannot find a good reason for a Prius owner to mix different oils (synthetic, dino, or both). Maybe you were thinking I was claiming that blended formulations are bad. Never said that. Nor did I claim that plague and famine will be visited upon those who mix oils. I am stating that a Prius owner mixing different oils in their engine is not a good practice.

 

Suppose you are on the road somewhere, and decide that you need to add a bit more engine oil. I suggest it would be just fine to top off with any brand, synthetic or not. Ideally you would use the same (or similar) viscosity as the main fill, but even that would not dissuade me. Now, the next UOA is going to look funny in terms of the additives (Ca, etc.) but the important numbers (wear metals, water or fuel dilution) should be just as informative.

The starter question is whether synthetics are better in Prius. They really ought to leave less gunk on non-contact surfaces over time, but that may be just aesthetics. They certainly appear to have longer service life in Prius, but it you intend to go much beyond currently knowledge (10 or 12 k miles), you really ought to do your own UOAs.

Oil viscosity is the same sort of thing. Toyota USA doesn't recommend 0W20 for example, but its lower viscosity will improve fuel economy a little. Should you use it? The best way to know it's doing a good job in your car and your climate is to get the UOAs.

If you DIY 3.5 qts. of synthetic oil, a filter, and a $35 UOA every 12k miles, that works out to about half a cent per mile. It represents a small fraction of the total ownership cost of the vehicle. It makes you very knowledgeable about your car. Compared to 5k conventional oil changes, there is less waste oil being generated. Seems like a good plan to me.

But if some other approach seems better to a different person, then they ought to use theirs.

 

No, I understood you and your last statement is simply inaccurate. Mixing dino and full syn is absolutely fine and a much less expensive way to wind up with a semi synthetic (if that is your goal). IIRC, a semi is only about 20% synthetic, but sells for around half the price. Your post about not mixing the two (dino and syn) is flat out wrong. I ask you again to find one link to a reputable source that supports your position.

 

Car maintenance : Everything you need to know about engine and motor oil - "It is safe to mix the different types, but it's wiser to switch completely to a new type rather than mixing."

CITGO.com, Consumer Products, Oils, Engine Oil Myths - "Fact: Mixing brands is not the best practice because the additive systems in each may be different and when mixed may not function as efficiently as desired. However, no serious problems will occur if you must add a different brand of equivalent quality between oil changes. It is very important to maintain proper oil level."

Managing the Risk of Mixing Lubricating Oils

Again-My point was "not good practice". Your point is "It can be done"

QED

 

Shell Rotella discusses your misconception:

ROTELLA NEWS: Will I Harm My Engine By Mixing Synthetic Oil and Mineral Oil?

As does MotorTrend:

Synthetic Motor Oil - Petroleum and Synthetic - Motor Trend Magazine

Your Citgo link....mixixing BRANDS....

At least you have retreated from your original position:

 

I've stayed out of the oil hub-bub since joining PC. But years ago, a mobile person directed me to a consumer reports article, the he was acknowledging to be what he alredy knew. Someone just found it for me. And other consumer advogate groupss have voiced the same conclusion. That if you change oil according to the warranty requirements (5K?) then you might as well save your money.

The surprising truth about motor oils

Hey, don't shoot the messenger :nono:


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I'll tend to agree with you with some caveats.

Here in Ottawa area Canada where it goes as low as -30 to -35 sometimes, synthetic really helps with cold starting and running.

Most of us are fine with tap water, but some bottled water is superior in some ways, and some tap water (cheap bulk oil) is pretty bad with bacteria, rust etc. Good brand name bottled water is somewhat analogous to a quality synthetic product. You'll pay more, there are some positives, but most of us will be fine with tap water.

I think synthetic helped with some previous cars where I put off changing oil for 12-18 months at a time sometimes.

Synth gets into the metal, I believe, and probably helped save my last cars engine when I inadvertently drove 1/2 a mile with 0 oil pressure.


....

 

My Toyota dealer provides two free oil changes per year for new Toyota buyers.
That's with regular oil. Any other dealers out there that offer that?

I don't think I'll go with synthetic oil, since I don't drive big miles.

 

change your own oil and the added cost is minimal
5 quart jug of conventional name brand oil at wal mart $12
5 quart jug of synthetic name brand oil at wal mart $21
when you figure you only need slightly over 3 quarts for a Prius oil change 2 jugs can last you 3 oil changes.
Not including the filter that puts you at
$8 for conventional oil per oil change
$14 for synthetic oil per change

added cost per oil change is only $6 I say its worth it.