Synthetic Oil save more gas?

[Big Dave]

I use Amsoil 10-30, Did a 1,500 mile test before and after. No improvement in MPG. Wish it had helped but it didn't.

I do use their bypass filter system and routinely go 50,000 miles between oil changes. Oil analysis says I'm discarding good oil but I lose my nerve after two years' service.

[darkdan]

Originally Posted by trikkonceptz

Any of our Vibe/Matrix drivers know how much tranny fluid is in an auto transmission? I am going to do a synthetic change on Tuesday and wanted to know how many quarts to buy for the Vibe. Thanks

I will be using Amzoil if anyone wanted to know ...

According to my book:

Automatic Transmission, U341F AWD Initial Fill..........3.1 quarts
Automatic Transmission, U341F FWD Initial Fill..........2.2 quarts
Automatic Transmission, A246E Initial Fill..........3.2 quarts

Of AMSOIL Universal ATF and not the torque drive ATF.

And it's AMSOIL! No Z. It used to have a Z in it many years ago but Pennzoil got mad and sued them.

AMSOIL's engine oils tend to be on the thicker side ("30" is a range of viscosities) and that's why they usually don't increase mileage much. Sure, less drag because the majority of molecules are of just a few sizes.

Synthetic ATF also does a great job during the winter because of it's viscosity curve. Most ATFs are 5w20 weight oils, but synthetic is 0w20 so it's more fluid in the cold.

[trikkonceptz]

Thanks for the info, in this case it was a bit of fat finger typing that made the error.

But now that you brought it up, take a look at there logo. The way the A is shaped kinda leads you to think there is a Z in there somewhere.

Clever, just like the Fedex arrow ... LOL

[E300D]

Car maunfacturers state 5k between changes. Oil companies state 3k.
they both have something to gain from you taking their advice. Car makers = shorter life
Oil Makers = buy more oil.
Most people agree that you can run synth oil about 7,000 miles.
I listen to what the diesel VW crowd says. Diesels' engine oil gets dirty fast.
there are diesel VW guys who use synth and change only the filters twice as frequently. They claim they can make their oil good for 15,000 miles. They might buy the most expensive synth oil and change their filter every 3,000 miles.
I've never done it, but it makes sense if you are buy $10 a quart oil.

[nackerton]

I'm not sure if 3k miles vs 5k miles makes a big difference if your engine is ok (diesel injectors in good condition etc). In Europe, VAG is offering crazy 2 year/30 000 km (max) interval, I think that's definitely too much for any oil. They call it "Long life" system, but Short life would describe it better..

Btw, my relative has a Merc with OM642 diesel engine, he has driven 250 000 km with 6-8 month/25 000 km oil change intervals (229.51 low ash 5w-30 oil), and there is nothing wrong with the engine. DPF has been replaced once, expensive stuff..

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by E300D

Car maunfacturers state 5k between changes. Oil companies state 3k.
they both have something to gain from you taking their advice. Car makers = shorter life
Oil Makers = buy more oil.
Most people agree that you can run synth oil about 7,000 miles.
I listen to what the diesel VW crowd says. Diesels' engine oil gets dirty fast.
there are diesel VW guys who use synth and change only the filters twice as frequently. They claim they can make their oil good for 15,000 miles. They might buy the most expensive synth oil and change their filter every 3,000 miles.
I've never done it, but it makes sense if you are buy $10 a quart oil.

Auto manufacturers have nothing to gain by recommending an oil change interval greater than optimal. The company would have a bad reputation for making cars that don't last, and besides, those that purchase new cars don't keep them until the engine dies. Instead the car is sold used to someone else, and a new car is purchased again.

I go 12,000 miles between oil changes and don't change my filter either. I see no reason why it would clog to the point of the bypass valve opening. Is there any evidence to suggest filters clog shortly after 3,000 miles on a typical engine?

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by nackerton

In Europe, VAG is offering crazy 2 year/30 000 km (max) interval, I think that's definitely too much for any oil.

It definitely isn't too long for a good oil designed for the purpose.
It does come at a price though - but you still win in the long run.
Just don't pour in regular oil and hope it'll do as well ... it won't.
Plenty of cars are using these extended "long life" service intervals without issues.

Do you even have any idea how long oil stays in the engine of a truck ?
They don't change it, they check it.
It's only changed when the check indicates a problem or that the oil has worn out.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I go 12,000 miles between oil changes and don't change my filter either. I see no reason why it would clog to the point of the bypass valve opening. Is there any evidence to suggest filters clog shortly after 3,000 miles on a typical engine?

None whatsoever ...

Shortest oil change intervals in Europe are now 15.000 km / 9320 mls.
20.000 km is very common, and more and more cars are getting 30.000 km service intervals.
VW have ended the 50.000 km service intervals not because of the oil, but because other issues get too much time to develop before they get spotted.

Filters are rather cheap, so they are usually changed during an oil swap - but not always when on a short service cycle, where they then get swapped every other oil change.

The oils are clean, the fuel is clean, and engine wear is / should be minimal.
What would clog the oil filter


On a sooty diesel, better swap the filter along with the oil.
Same when operating in a very dusty environment, where more silicon (sand) ends up in the oil.
When using dubious fuel or oil: change the filter more often.

[nackerton]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Do you even have any idea how long oil stays in the engine of a truck ?
They don't change it, they check it.
It's only changed when the check indicates a problem or that the oil has worn out.

Yes, I have "some" idea

Trucks have

- larger sump capacity
- proper oil cooling, better filtration and lubrication system
- different grade, lower viscosity index and higher viscosities than in passenger cars, higher content of goodies like phosporus to protect from wear etc
- different load profile, no 5 minute trips to post office and back with cold engine

(I don't mind if someone wishes to spare miniscule amount of money by avoiding oil changes, it's his/hers property...)

[mikeyjd]

I switched to Mobile1 0w20 in my engine and had little noticeable gains (maybe 1-2% from Amsoil 5w20). I put the same Mobile1 0w20 in my transmission (after allot of research to confirm this choice) and seem to have gotten around 5% form this. It is hard to quantify the effectiveness accurately without strict testing, therefore I'm guessing that this is how much improvement is coming from these changes.