Castrol Syntec

[truckdriver402]

Hey All! I am going to start using synthetic on my Vibe. I decided on Castrol Syntec because my in laws swear by it. They've owned nothing but Toyota's and never had any issues.I hear so many different things about Syntec. Well, with any oil really. Some love Mobil 1, some say it's horrible. I've looked into Amsoil, but from the comparisons done on Amsoil vs. Syntec (or Mobil 1) is all done BY Amsoil, which another user agrees can be misleading. Seems Mobil 1 is very, very popular, but what about you guys that use Syntec? What do you think of it, good or bad? The bottle says all the right things about API and ILSAC...so what do you guys think?

[Sublimewind]

Anything oil can be found here... http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/I hate saying to people "search" but there is a LOT of info here.... Many will only use German Castrol, I'm not sure of the difference honestly, but if the info is out there, it will be on BITOG.... Cheers...

[NUBlackshirts]

I use Syntec in my GT. I have tried others, but have since gone back to Syntec. In reality, as long as you regularly change your oil, you should be fine with just about any oil you choose.

[Whelan]

Quote, originally posted by NUBlackshirts »I use Syntec in my GT. I have tried others, but have since gone back to Syntec. In reality, as long as you regularly change your oil, you should be fine with just about any oil you choose.That's how I feel, unless your engine specifies synthetic, using any kind of oil rated to match the specs and changing it at normal intervals will be fine

[amsoilman]

IF YOU LOOK AT THE AMSOIL COMPARISON TESTING REPORTS THEY ARE PERFORMED BY INDEPENDENT LABRATORIES NOT AMSOIL. THE TESTS ARE ASTM LABRATORY REPEATIBLE TESTS. IF THEY WERE FALSE ALL THE BIG OIL COMPANIES WOULD SUE . I USE AMSOIL AND KNOW HOW GOOD IT IS. YOU CAN RUN IT FOR 10-15000 MILE WITH NO PROBLEMS.

[Whelan]

Quote, originally posted by amsoilman »I USE AMSOIL AND KNOW HOW GOOD IT IS.I would hope with a name like this that you would, lolAside from that, I also assume that you forgot to turn the caps lock off and are not standing on a hilltop yelling this out for everyone to hear. *rubs his right ear*I've read up on Amsoil and I'm sure its great and does it's job fine, wouldn't be a product or following if it didn't. But I have been using Castrol GTX dino juice for years now and no complaints. That and a bottle of Auto Rx every now and then with a injector fuel system cleaner at each oil change, still a happy man.

[mathteacher'04vibe]

I have used nothing but Syntec in my '95 Camaro and have no complaints. After 5k miles, the oil on the stick is clear. When it comes out, it is black in the drain pan, but clear on the stick. My oil pressure drops about 5-10 lbs after 4k miles, so I stretch it to 5k.When I switched my Vibe over to synthetic, Syntec was the first oil used. Since then I have gone to Mobil1 since I caught it on sale.I think Syntec is a fine oil-less expensive than Mobil1 too I thought about trying Amsoil, but there are no dealers in my area.

[sk8r78]

I am pretty much a Castrol fan for no particular reason, maybe its the label? I have used it in every car or truck I've owned and when I purchased the Matrix I started using Syntech, I didn't notice, more power or more mpg, but it is supposed to be superior to the dino-oil.and if it helps my car live longer, I'll try it. I don't buy into the every 3000 mile club. in leaner times of my life I have went as long as 12,000 miles between changes and gotten 350,000 out of the car and a 85 Ranger still on the road with about the same mileage on the original engine, Is Castrol responsible for that ? probably not. But I'm sure it helped. I say go for what you feel is right for you, if they are all reasonably close in quality , why buy the one that cost the most.

[Sublimewind]

Again people, BITOG WILL tell you everything you wanted to know about your particular oil choice... It's worth the search...Same goes for filters (stay away from Fram, for example)

[mojoman]

If this helps,,,,,,I'm an ASE certified Master Auto Technician with 25 years of auto parts experience that uses nothing but Castrol Syntec Blend and Fram filter in EVERY vehicle I own and have owned. 192,000miles Olds Achieva--going strong, 225,000 miles Ford Escort--going strong, 200,000 miles Nissan Pick up--going strong when I sold it and 2003 Vibe 47,000 miles. Full synthetic is too much for the average driver & vehicle. I like Syntec Blend because I get the benefits of synthetic without the high cost. I change EVERY 3,500 miles and ALWAYS fill the oil filter with oil before I install it. Mark Salsa Red 2003 base.

[Whelan]

Fill your oil filter before you install it huh? Never tried this, is it really that meneficial?I do every 3k purely for the fact I drive 50 miles a day just for work, so that an avg. of 1,000 a month just in commuting and probably almost another 1k in going places and weekends. So I drive more and waiting 5k doesn't make sense for my purposes.

[NUBlackshirts]

I'm on the other side of the coin from Whelan. I only have to drive a few miles to work. And, most of my trips are of short duration. I drive the hell out of my GT (addicted to lift). So, I run full synthetic and change it between 3k and 4k miles. Oh, and I fill the new filter with oil before putting it on. (Learned that from working on diesel trucks years and years ago.)

[Whelan]

So what is the advantage to topping off your filter.

[NUBlackshirts]

When you put a new filter on and start the vehicle, once the oil starts circulating, there is a small bit of air(?) in the system due to the empty filter. In essence, the filter must fill up with what is being pumped into it. By pre-filling the filter, you eliminate that empty spot in the system. Doesn't have as much of an effect on our small cars, but in big diesels with filters that can hold a quart or more, it makes a huge difference.

[mathteacher'04vibe]

The diesel truck oil filters do hold a lot of oil. I used to do changes on them all the time and I have seem some filters (usually on Cat engines) hold a gallon of oil.I do not fill the filter on my cars since some of them require the filter to be turned two or three times before they can go in ('92 Cavalier--change the oil and you'll know what I mean) and they only hold a little bit.I do however do two things--1) put some oil on the o-ring of the filter and 2) crank/start then shutoff the car right away; then re-start when I change the oil to help lubricate the system without that ubiquitous air pocket.

[Mojo72]

I'm ready to move from old reliable Castrol GTX to Syntec, but have a few questions before changing the oil.(1) How many miles should I expect before the next oil change? 5K?(2) If I can expect 5,000 miles, will the AC Delco PF1233 filter be able to handle that many miles?

[Wolfman213]

If you watch the ads that the auto parts store put out, you can get a K&N oil filter plus 5 qts of Syntec all for only $25. So if you wait till 5K, you will have no probs at all.

[Mojo72]

Thanks for the backup Wolfman. FYI, my wife's Explorer seems to be running better w/ the AMSOIL Ea Air Filter.

[pauconfra]

If I may hop in on the subject. I use pennzoil platinum which is their full synthetic. I also sell this oil at work. I have used this oil from day one on my vibe. My oil is clean in, clean out. I do change it every three thousand miles. I believe that pontiacs rec's every five thousand. I would stay away from extended oil change intervals if you still have a warranty. If you do not follow factory services then your warranty will be void. I have also seen, after 15000 miles without an oil change, oil come out with the consistency of pudding. A 08 dodge caliber with 15000 miles, with an oil leak due to the fact it had not yet received an oil change. Countless toyotas and hondas driving around without a drop of oil in them.