ARTICLE: Synthetic oil vs Mineral oil

vasudeva · 14th February 2008, 09:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Mineral oil is as good as synthetic oil if your engine is operating normally. If you take your engines to extremes(frequent high revving), overheating etc., mineral oil loses its lubricity quickly, while synthetic oil holds its chemical composition at high temperatures.
you will see that all high revving engines use synthetic oil.
If I was frequently running with AC at high RPM I would have opted for synthetic

I consider that very useful advice and with that, I perhaps shall go with mineral oil (as strongly recommended by Toyota service) for my 20K service.

nitrous · 14th February 2008, 15:48

@vasu: I would still highly recommend fully-synthetic oil for that Toyota variable-valve petrol motor.

How long do u plan to keep the car?

vasudeva · 14th February 2008, 15:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitrous

@vasu: I would still highly recommend fully-synthetic oil for that Toyota variable-valve petrol motor.

How long do u plan to keep the car?

Of course, I would not mind synthetic (I can afford it), considering that I have a plan to keep it for long (it cost me 12 lakhs), perhaps 1.25-1.5 lakhs/7 years. On the other hand, the Toyota advisor has said no. The car is under warranty (till 3/2010). I have seen Corolla brochure and it sheds no light. User comments on other websites do mention usage of synthetic on their Corollas. How did they manage. Perhaps, the Toyota service guy wants to sell Toyota made oil only!

I do not overrev, but drive at a reasonable speed, and use AC for comfort rather than at max.

nitrous · 14th February 2008, 16:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by vasu

Perhaps, the Toyota service guy wants to sell Toyota made oil only!

Precisely, Mr. Vasu.
IMO,Those who aren't convinced with the synthetic oil concept are those who've never tried it.
The smoothness of the engine just gets one addicted .

vasudeva · 14th February 2008, 16:10

I have used it, am pleased with it, but shall not use it in the Corolla because of the reasons stated above.

bblost · 14th February 2008, 16:43

My 4.5+ year old tBird has done close to 65k kms.

Last weekend she took in Castrol Magnatec.
Feels nice, but she has always felt nice.

Price: Magnatec 3L was 720/- and got an Ambipur free.

I will update about any changes I feel in the coming months.

vasudeva · 14th February 2008, 17:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitrous

Precisely, Mr. Vasu.
IMO,Those who aren't convinced with the synthetic oil concept are those who've never tried it.
The smoothness of the engine just gets one addicted .

Based on your advice, I had decided on synthetic for Corolla 20K service. Some others have said that it may make no difference. I am willing to live with that and change to synthetic, because at least it would not do any harm, and my experience with synthetic on Corsa has been good.

However, I have a 2 yr pending warranty, Toyota has advised against it, and my warranty may get void if I change to synthetic. I have seen various postings on web with Corolla users going for synthetic. Whether the advice of Toyota service advisor is genuine or a means to promote their sales, I do not know, but for now, I have no choice.

muneemmk · 16th February 2008, 17:18

Does Going in For 5W50 Oil 4 Liters at a cost of 3500Rs for the can sound good ? it's Imported and it's old stock as explained by the shop keeper, what kind of difference can we expect to see if i use it in my Swift Diesel ?

I have heard about miraculous change in the fuel efficiency and smoothness of the engine when used on a pulsar 180 DTS-i ......drain period on the bike was like 20,000Km......

I Wonder Weather it's Worth the "INVESTMENT" On the Swift ....and on the pulsar the Factory Spec Oil was 20W50, The Synthetic Oil that was used on it was Mobile1 5W60 Oil......

Whats everyone's Opinion on ? what grades do you guys recommend for Swift Diesel ?

shuvd · 16th February 2008, 18:57

I was offered Shell Helix 20lits for Rs. 6800. That is correct, 6800 for 20 lits!!! Though the Shell website states 15W40, the dealer said 5W40. But he said that 4lits of the same would cost 2400. Go figure!

Could you guys suggest a good brand for my Stage 2 petrol Octavia? Also, a good engine flush?

nitrous · 17th February 2008, 17:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by muneem

Does Going in For 5W50 Oil 4 Liters at a cost of 3500Rs for the can sound good ? it's Imported and it's old stock as explained by the shop keeper, what kind of difference can we expect to see if i use it in my Swift Diesel ?

4 litres of 5W50 Mobil1 should cost 3200 bucks,brand new.
@shuvd: Shell Helix Ultra is the synthetic oil from Shell and the grade I've seen is 15W50. So, If u are getting the Rs.600/L oil for Rs.320/L. Then,WOW!
Can U ship me some?

shuvd · 17th February 2008, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitrous

@shuvd: Shell Helix Ultra is the synthetic oil from Shell and the grade I've seen is 15W50. So, If u are getting the Rs.600/L oil for Rs.320/L. Then,WOW!
Can U ship me some?

Exactly! And the dealer keeps saying 5W40! I can ship you 20lit. But the question is, is it kosher??

nitrous · 17th February 2008, 18:17

I suggest U Cal BHPians split that 20 litres.
It would be too much of a hassle for you to bring my 4 litres in ur 230bhp octavia boot from Calcutta to Madras.

shuvd · 19th February 2008, 00:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitrous

It would be too much of a hassle for you to bring my 4 litres in ur 230bhp octavia boot from Calcutta to Madras.

No sir! I'll use the Magnum for home deliveries

. Octy boot will be filled with hi-octane petrol to make the trip na?

Seriously, is there any way to check the genuine-ness of the oil?

nitrous · 19th February 2008, 00:43

Well, check the can out physically and verify it with any pics on the net.
You could also ask the seller to produce the invoice(that Shell gave him) for it and match it with a serial number on the can(which he might do).

K a s h · 19th February 2008, 07:57

Dear All
I have a 2006 Getz which has done 15K. I have been hearing better things about Synthetics for sometime now and have decided to go for it.
Can fellow Getzians suggest me a better brand and the approximate cost?

14th February 2008, 15:48	#752
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	@vasu: I would still highly recommend fully-synthetic oil for that Toyota variable-valve petrol motor. How long do u plan to keep the car?
	() Thanks

14th February 2008, 16:10	#755
vasudeva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 2,221 Thanked: 212 Times	I have used it, am pleased with it, but shall not use it in the Corolla because of the reasons stated above.
	() Thanks

14th February 2008, 16:43	#756
bblost Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11,008 Thanked: 15,365 Times View My Garage	My 4.5+ year old tBird has done close to 65k kms. Last weekend she took in Castrol Magnatec. Feels nice, but she has always felt nice. Price: Magnatec 3L was 720/- and got an Ambipur free. I will update about any changes I feel in the coming months.
	() Thanks

16th February 2008, 17:18	#758
muneemmk BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cochin Posts: 832 Thanked: 99 Times View My Garage	Does Going in For 5W50 Oil 4 Liters at a cost of 3500Rs for the can sound good ? it's Imported and it's old stock as explained by the shop keeper, what kind of difference can we expect to see if i use it in my Swift Diesel ? I have heard about miraculous change in the fuel efficiency and smoothness of the engine when used on a pulsar 180 DTS-i ......drain period on the bike was like 20,000Km...... I Wonder Weather it's Worth the "INVESTMENT" On the Swift ....and on the pulsar the Factory Spec Oil was 20W50, The Synthetic Oil that was used on it was Mobile1 5W60 Oil...... Whats everyone's Opinion on ? what grades do you guys recommend for Swift Diesel ?
	() Thanks

16th February 2008, 18:57	#759
shuvd Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 1,081 Thanked: 7 Times View My Garage	I was offered Shell Helix 20lits for Rs. 6800. That is correct, 6800 for 20 lits!!! Though the Shell website states 15W40, the dealer said 5W40. But he said that 4lits of the same would cost 2400. Go figure! Could you guys suggest a good brand for my Stage 2 petrol Octavia? Also, a good engine flush?
	() Thanks

17th February 2008, 18:17	#762
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	I suggest U Cal BHPians split that 20 litres. It would be too much of a hassle for you to bring my 4 litres in ur 230bhp octavia boot from Calcutta to Madras.
	() Thanks

19th February 2008, 00:43	#764
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	Well, check the can out physically and verify it with any pics on the net. You could also ask the seller to produce the invoice(that Shell gave him) for it and match it with a serial number on the can(which he might do).
	() Thanks

19th February 2008, 07:57	#765
K a s h BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 155 Thanked: 120 Times View My Garage	Dear All I have a 2006 Getz which has done 15K. I have been hearing better things about Synthetics for sometime now and have decided to go for it. Can fellow Getzians suggest me a better brand and the approximate cost?
	() Thanks