I have read plenty about the benefits a synthetic oil can provide.
However, my car is already at 105,XXX miles.
Is it going to be of any benefit to me to make the switch?

Also, if I do switch...
> What synthetic would you reccomend for the 3.4?
> Which filter?
> How often do you have to change the oil/filter? Can you go 4 or even 5,000 miles?

Btw, I am asking this stuff because I am moving about 4 hours from where I am currently living and I will be driving back and forth probably every other weekend.

Thanks for any input!

 

Benefit? Of course.

>Mobil 1
>Depends. How much are you willing to spend?
>Depends. How will your driving be? Mostly city/highway? Lots of traffic/short trips?

I do mostly highway driving (85%) so I usually do 5k on oil changes with M1 and a K&N filter (I get them for $2).

If you answer yes to either of these two questions, don't switch:

1) Is your car leaking oil?
2) Do you mind paying more for the synthetic oil?

Otherwise, you'll be fine switching.

 

Sweet, thanks!

I actually just check out Mobil 1's website and found out that the oil comes in five viscosity grades...
Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ 10W-30 – Higher-Mileage Vehicle Formula
Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ 5W-30 – Newer Vehicle Formula
Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ 15W-50 – Performance Driving Formula
Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ 0W-30 – Enhanced Fuel Economy Formula
Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ 0W-40 – European Car Formula

10W-30 is what I have been using, should I stick with that?

Also, for a filter, would the Purolator PureOne be a good choice?

 

10W-30 & 5W-30 will work fine either way. If it snows or gets really cold, use the 5w-30. Out here in California, it never gets that cold so I just use 10w-30 all year.

PureOne is a good filtering filter ( ) but it is restrictive to oil flow. I've tried them all (except Fram) and I think the best filter for the $$$ is *surprise* Wal-Mart's Supertech. Made by Champion Labs who also make the M1 filter. If I didn't get hooked up, I would be using them.

 

Yeah, I don't think it will get cold enough here in Alabama for 5W-30, I think I'll stick with the 10W-30.

Really, Wal-Mart's Supertech...
As you pointed out, I know that it is made by Champion Labs, but they also make lots of other filters. Is the Wal-Mart Supertech really the same as the Mobil 1 filter? How do you know this? I am not accusing you of making stuff up, I would just like to read some information on this.

Thanks once again!

BTW: Is ImportKILLER the only V6 guy/gal who cares to chime in with his/her opinion?

 

Yeah, theres something about you that makes me hate you and not want to respond.

I think you should be fine switching to synthetic some people say it will cause leaks in higher mileage cars, I think that is if you already have a problem. Most people I see switching to synthetic with higher mileage don't have any issues. Mobil 1 is the way to go.

 

You just caught me on a topic that I know something about. Maybe the others might not know too much about oil or filters. There are plenty of guys here that know a TON about our cars. I know on some topics I read I don't know enough to give a good answer, so I don't. This might just be one of those instances.

Anyways, I don't know if I'd say Supertech is the EXACT same as a Mobil 1. Similar...close even. I've cut open both new and used Supetech filters and the quality was pretty good. For someone who isn't as obsessed, a $2 Supertech would serve just as well as a $15+ Mobil 1. I do believe that the M1 filters down smaller microns than the ST though.

It all depends. If you plan on doing 3k mile changes, stick with conventional. The cost of synthetic and the advantage of being able to push the oil further is wasted on 3k oil changes in my opinion. Any conventional oil will hold up well with 3k and you just can't go wrong with it. If you do a lot of driving like me, 3k comes pretty fast...or if you do highway miles which is far less harsh on oil, you can push the oil further. Synthetics are better in that department as well as being superior in protection.

I'll send you a link where you can read up on all oil/oil filter/etc stuff you could ever want to learn.

 

I switched to Mobil-1 after 100,000 miles it seem to use up or leak a little in between oil-changes for a little while but know it doesnt burn much at all. Synthetic has a few more good qualities than just longer oil change intervals. It protects against wear alot better than regular oil and it cleans your engine. Its also good because it doesnt use up our natural resouces its man-made. If you care about that. I think its good.

Filters- I like to use good 'ol AC Delco. Thats what our cars were born with. Its seems to help oil pressure and keeping the oil cleaner.

 

All oils today must have some form of a cleaning package even conventional. So all oils "clean". M1 is considered by many to have one of the better additive packages to keep engines clean, however they don't really "clean" too well. If your engine is sludged, don't think running M1 for a couple thousand miles will clean things up. Or any oil for that matter.

AC Delco filters are OK...there are better out there, but they are OK. Micron ratings show how small particles the filter traps...the smaller the better. For a $5-ish filter, try a Wix. Napa filters are made by Wix.

Still though, a dirty dipstick isn't a bad thing per se. That means the oil is doing its job...the junk is in the oil and not on parts. Run M1 for 3k and GTX for the same...GTX will look cleaner partially because its additive package isn't as strong as M1's.