[devarshi84]

Does a thicker or lighter synthetic oil affect engine noise in anyway?

[rohan_iitr]

Originally Posted by asitkde

Hi,
I have Getz Prime 1.1 (2008). It does short distances (starts and stops) in city conditions. So far it has done 10K only. An engine oil change is due (actually slightly over due).

I was considering switching to fully synthetic. I have several questions:

Why bother with synthetic engine oil for a run of the mill small car which is used only in city for short distances ?

Stick to mineral oil and change every 6 months.

Rohan

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by devarshi84

Does a thicker or lighter synthetic oil affect engine noise in anyway?

What do you mean by thicker/thinner? A 5W40 oil will be thinner than a 20W40 oil when cold, but while at operating temperature both will be of the same viscosity (40). The thickest is 20W50 oil, not available in synth.

If your recommended oil is 20W40, you can choose mineral 20W50 if you want a thicker oil. If however your recommended oil is 10W30, you can go for a 10W40 oil if it is available - but never 15W40 or 20W40.

[devarshi84]

But does the viscocity affect engine noise at all?

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by devarshi84

But does the viscocity affect engine noise at all?

I don't think so - unless the car has a very high mileage (> 100k KM) on the odo.

[asitkde]

Originally Posted by rohan_iitr

... small car which is used only in city for short distances ?

I thought that was the point why one should use synthetic oil. It's not all about performance cars. I have done precisely what you have suggested all my life for all my cars I have bought. I thought how about a little change and let's see how the car likes it. Maintenance schedule of once in a year would suit me far better than once in 6 months. Besides, if that makes the driving more pleasurable and that's overall good for the car, it's even better. Another thing to consider is that I use 100% AC in my car (except for about 1 month in the winter, these days there is not much of it anyway) even for these short trips. However, your point is also well noted. I am generally considering a better oil, regardless of fully synthetic or not, than what Hyundai service usually puts in.

Regards.

[pankaj_sachdeva]

Originally Posted by Gansan

If your recommended oil is 20W40, you can choose mineral 20W50 if you want a thicker oil. If however your recommended oil is 10W30, you can go for a 10W40 oil if it is available - but never 15W40 or 20W40.

What if some-one is using 20W50 and now wants to go semi-synthetic or synthetic route, what grades should be considered?

[sgiitk]

No issues. Unless you have done a lot of mileage (well in excess of 100,000) you can change to any oil meeting (or exceeding) the specs for your vehicle.

[pankaj_sachdeva]

Originally Posted by sgiitk

No issues. Unless you have done a lot of mileage (well in excess of 100,000) you can change to any oil meeting (or exceeding) the specs for your vehicle.

The mileage is just short of 300 Kms from 100,000 and the car is ikon 1.6. so now can i change the oil to synthetic / semi-synthetic one and should i use engine oil flush?

[khoj]

Originally Posted by Gansan

@Khoj
I am a regular user of Shell Helix HX-5. It is a mineral oil,

My nephew requested me to visit the MASS with him for the 10K KM service of his Ritz petrol. We changed the oil to fully synth - MGO (Mobil) 5W40, API SM. Cost was ~ Rs 4000.00.

Hey Gansan,

Thanks for the info on Shell HX5. So it will be the Castrol Edge (if I can find it in Dilli) otherwise Shell Helix Ultra both being fully synthetic. I could go with the MGO - Mobil too but my Swift (14K kms) is already running on that and I would like to try something new like the Edge.

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by pankaj_sachdeva

The mileage is just short of 300 Kms from 100,000 and the car is ikon 1.6. so now can i change the oil to synthetic / semi-synthetic one and should i use engine oil flush?

Better not go for synthetic oil at this stage if you are already using 20W50.

[para_7k]

Originally Posted by pankaj_sachdeva

What if some-one is using 20W50 and now wants to go semi-synthetic or synthetic route, what grades should be considered?

Originally Posted by Gansan

Better not go for synthetic oil at this stage if you are already using 20W50.

Mobil1 is available in 5W50. If you want to go the synthetic way, this will be a good upgrade from 20W50.

Though not so thick when cold, it will be of the same Viscosity under normal engine temperature.

[pankaj_sachdeva]

Originally Posted by para_7k

Mobil1 is available in 5W50. If you want to go the synthetic way, this will be a good upgrade from 20W50.

Though not so thick when cold, it will be of the same Viscosity under normal engine temperature.

Many thanks Gansan and para_7K for clearing the air.

Can castrol magnatec 10W40 be used in place of 20W50? Sorry for so many questions , I never came to terms with this grading thing for oils.

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by pankaj_sachdeva

Many thanks Gansan and para_7K for clearing the air.

Please double check with some experts before changing to synthetic on high mileage engines. The oil seals may develop a leak. Remember, 5W50 will be a lot thinner than 20W50 when cold.

[raj.barcode]

Small query; How is castrol edge for Diesel engines? its claimed that Bugati veyron uses the same; is it true?