Oil change

[MrsPete]

I just had my oil changed, and Sears suggested that I use synthetic oil instead of the regular stuff -- WOW! Was it ever expensive! 3Xs the cost of the regular stuff.

Did I get ripped off, or is this really better for my new Honda?

 

[mickeyfan2]

I just had my oil changed, and Sears suggested that I use synthetic oil instead of the regular stuff -- WOW! Was it ever expensive! 3Xs the cost of the regular stuff.

Did I get ripped off, or is this really better for my new Honda?

We run all of our cars on synthetic oil. It is better. DH changes ours. The oil does cost more, but you can go longer between changes. Now I think that Sears charged too much.

We usually get enough oil to change a car for about $20. We use expensive filters and they are $8-10. We change our oil twice a year.

 

[MrsPete]

DH changes ours.

While that sounds like the best idea, my car'd wear out while I wait!

We usually get enough oil to change a car for about $20. We use expensive filters and they are $8-10. We change our oil twice a year.

2 expensive oil changes vs. more frequent inexpensive oil changes. I see a time savings but not a financial savings -- is it better for the engine? That is, does it prevent engine wear better?

My filter was expensive today too. My car's a 2008, and they had to send over to Honda to get it -- Sears doesn't yet stock it. That probably wouldn't be an issue next time.

 

[mickeyfan2]

While that sounds like the best idea, my car'd wear out while I wait!

2 expensive oil changes vs. more frequent inexpensive oil changes. I see a time savings but not a financial savings -- is it better for the engine? That is, does it prevent engine wear better?

My filter was expensive today too. My car's a 2008, and they had to send over to Honda to get it -- Sears doesn't yet stock it. That probably wouldn't be an issue next time.

It is better for the engine, since it does not break down due to heat.

 

[minnie1928]

I typically use synthetic in my Toyota Camry, but last time the dealer screwed up and put synthetic blend in instead. My gas mileage dropped by about 10% and I questioned the dealer and they said that synthetic oil is thinner and causes your engine to work less, so that by using a synthetic blend instead of 100% synthetic that it could be the reason for the gas mileage declining. So, theoretically you should get better gas mileage using synthetic vs. regular.

But, what do I know...not only am I a woman, I'm an accountant.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

While that sounds like the best idea, my car'd wear out while I wait!2 expensive oil changes vs. more frequent inexpensive oil changes. I see a time savings but not a financial savings -- is it better for the engine? That is, does it prevent engine wear better?

My filter was expensive today too. My car's a 2008, and they had to send over to Honda to get it -- Sears doesn't yet stock it. That probably wouldn't be an issue next time.

According those I know in the petroleum industry... the difference between using synthetic and regular oil is moot in a passenger vehicle. The engines don't work hard enough to make the difference measurable. Even Honda doesn't recommend synthetic oil in its vehicles. I just take mine to the Honda dealership for the $20 lube, oil and filter change.

 

[dawnball]

We've been running synthetic oil in our 99 Saturn essentially since it was new. It's just now started burning enough oil to be at the high end of what was considered "normal" oil burning for a new 99 Saturn. We could have gotten lucky, or it could be the oil. There's no good way to tell.

Financially it's a wash for us. We pay twice as much for the oil change and it gets changed half as often. We just spend less time with the car at the mechanic.

 

[theparsons]

Wow...unless you put very few miles on your car I'd question the wisdom of changing your oil only twice a year. If you read the synthetic bottles it says that you can go 7,000 miles between oil changes (instead of 3,000 on regular 10/30 type oil).

It's not just the savings in gas mileage to consider....synthetic oil is proven to be better for your transmission. I have 180,000 miles on my 2001 van (purchased in July 2002, so technically 5 1/2 years old). A lady at work has the same car, purchased in 2001, but just over 100,000 miles yet and she had her transmission replaced a couple months ago. She blames a "junk van", but I don't find the same experience with mine! Back when I bought my van and we were comparing notes, I told her I planned to use the good oil and she told me I was wasting my money. Hmmmm, her tranny replacement had to be what 1500 or more? And of course the cost of peace of mind knowing I've not had a recent catastrophic failure = priceless.

 

[#1hockeymom]

You're better off using the manufacturers recommended intervals and recommended oil than going extended intervals with synthetic oil. However, if you are someone who doesn't change their oil as they should, synthetic oil does not break down as quickly. Also, if used in extreme performance or heavy duty applications such as towing then synthetic would be a good choice.

There is no change in gas mileage between the two. That is a myth.

 

[drivencrazy]

It's a good thing that my hubby does most of the oil changing around here... we have 4 cars and he changes the oil in all but the newest one (2007 Explorer)... we get synthetic oil put in it. And the other 3 cars that he changes, they all get synthetic as well. In his (04 Mustang) he changes the oil every 3 months or so (at least 3 times a year) and doesn't drive it in the winter... even though he doesn't put enough miles on it... don't understand that! But he does run it at the track so maybe that has something to do with it. He would NEVER let anyone else change the oil in it! But all our cars get synthetic oil all the time... most of the time they all get the good gas as well! Take care of them and they will take care of you!