RE: Switch to synthetic at 160k?

["Crane, Damien" <d3c@TENNANTCO.com>]

Synthetic oils do have a lower coefficient of friction than do
conventional oils.  Any engine builder will tell you not to put
synthetic in for a few thousand miles because there isn't enough
friction to break things in (rings and bearings won't seat properly).  I
don't know how much difference that extra lubricity makes in the real
world of engine operation tho.  Nobody ever seems to be willing to
publish definitive test results one way or another.  But there is a
difference.  Whether or not it matters is another story.

In what issue is that test?  I seem to have missed it and would like to
check it out.
> ----------
> From: 	Alex Tomic[SMTP:atomic7@home.com]
> Sent: 	Sunday, August 23, 1998 3:04 PM
> To: 	scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> Subject: 	Re: Switch to synthetic at 160k?
> 
> > I know this a constent Debate on this list but.....I think everyone
> who is
> > considering going to Synthetic should read car and drivers report on
> oils
> > and see that in fact in there study with over 200 types of oils they
> used on
> > cars for long term they were unable to find ANY oils that were
> better than
> > one another....They even went as much to say in the report that
> Synthetic
> > had NO better protection for ANY of the cars they tested long
> term......The
> > only thing it may have done that they noticed is reduced the temp by
> as
> > little as 6 degrees for the first two months of having it in the
> test
> > vehicles.....Now the thing they did was changed the oils at the
> manufactures
> > (oil compnays that is) request so regular oils were changed at 3,600
> and
> > synthetic was changed at 5,000 (miles)...they noticed no differance
> at
> > all.....and in the long run regular oil was still 30% cheaper!
> 
> Yes, I think it seems to depend more on who you ask and what magazine
> article/report you read as to whether synthetic is better... all I
> know
> is what i've seen. My cousin used synth in his 89 jetta for about 160k
> mi (before he sold it), taking every single gear to 6500 rpm (on a
> 8v!)
> every time out... and his engine was still excellent condition. You
> can't get much more abusive than that! I figure that report C&D did
> was
> for more normal conditions? I drive my cars very hard, so I want every
> bit of protection i can get... i don't want to be thinking when i'm on
> a
> highway onramp at 4500rpm "ooh i'm taking a lot of life out of my
> engine, i should shift".
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