Poll - How many use Synthetic Oil or Regular Oil in their Vibe?

[P POPPR]

Quote, originally posted by NeilR »I have rebuilt thousands of engines, production, race and motorcycle. If you change your oil on a regular basis 2500 to 3000 miles with a good filter conventional oil is fine. On a stressed engine the synthetics are much better.We run alcohol in a lot of our engines and we have had fuel pumps go bad and fill the pan. On conventional oil the bearings(and more) are shot. With synthetics I have seen them survive. I just tore down a corvette engine with low miles run on Mobil 1 changed every 2000 miles and there was 0 wear. No ring groove no nothing. The bearings still looked new. Smokey Yunick once said that there was one synthetic that was much better than the rest in one of his books. I asked him what it was and he said Mobil 1. Now for all you guys who say no way this guy has rebuilt all these engines. Go to http://www.cjrayburn.com click on the photo links. There's ones for dirt cars,asphalt cars ect. The Neil in the pictures is me. Our engine builder there is Gary Dilley he and I have dynoed so many engines and checked for hp gains with every type oil you can think of. We saw no hp gain with any synthetic over 66 Trop Artic Race oil that we use as a base line. However we did see less wear with synthetics. In theory less friction should show an hp gain but I consider 1-5 hp negligible in a race motor. Is it worth it? I use Mobil 1 for peace of mind more than anything. Corvttes like to get warm in traffic and 100+ temps so I just feel better using it! I have a 1989 Corvette that saw 310 due to a stuck thermostat. I thought that I'd better pull the heads ust to make sure the heads didn't warp and then said to heck with it and torn it down there was no damage from the heat and that was with Mobil 1!That should get the AMWAY dealers panties in a bunch Soon we should see charts and graphs and studies that disprove these opinons.

[Whelan]

Toyota OEM filter and Castrol GTX every 3,000 miles!

[awfavre]

Put over 301,000 miles on my ’95 Cavalier Z-24 with Mobil-1. A friend used only Mobil-1 in her ’93 Cavalier. After the oil drained out of the engine almost completely, she drove it a few miles to the garage, refilled it with Mobil-1, got a new oil change shortly after that, & suffered no discernible damage. Car went to 265,000 miles before she sold it without even an oil leak.

[Cougar Vibe]

Mobil 1, Pennzoil Platinum and Wallyworld Synthetic w/OEM filters since 800 miles.No problemos!BTW: 3K OCI's are for suckers (unless you like giving money to oil companies).

[WaveAction]

i use regular oil in my sunfire..i've heard if you switch to synthetic then back to regular the car runs like crap..this true?

[kevera]

I use synthetic in the winter and dino juice in the summer and can't tell the difference at all on my sunfire.The vibe I do the same thing.The synthetic oil is expensive though.Cheapest is at wal-mart,$26.97 for 4 litres.

[Whelan]

From what I have heard is a higher mileage engine could cause problems using synthetic because of the possiblity of more leaks and such with the synthetic. I used Valvoline max Life in my Saturn with well over 100k on it. For my gf's Jeep she also gets the Castrol GTX, 10-30 for her though with her Jeep and a good 5-5.5 quarts.I typically let them drain a bit longer than your standard oil shop to make sure most of it comes out down to a almost nothing drip. I was also told that its not the best idea to switch around oils from syn to dino and back.I did put 5-20 synthetic blend in my civic, but no noticeable difference from honda 5-20 regular oil.I will stay with my dino for the time. I change my oil just around every 3000, give or take a few hundred and do the same for my gf's Jeep. I drive 50 round trip for work each day and then who knows afterwards. So the car gets run and at every 3k the oil still comes out clean and not black. To me if your oil is coming out black, then you need to change it sooner next time. It shouldnt be that dirty.

[VivaVibe]

My first oil change at 40,000 miles since getting my used Vibe. Decided to go with synthetic mainly for long term benefits. Did it myself with Mobile-1 Fully Synthetic 5W30 and Purolator Pure One filter for $30. It seems to run a bit quieter, but that could be my imagination.

[KNINE]

Quote, originally posted by VivaVibe »My first oil change at 40,000 miles since getting my used Vibe. I hope you meant 4,000 miles!

[VivaVibe]

I meant the odometer read 40k. It had 36,400 on it when purchased used a few months ago. So yes, the change took place after driving it for about 4,000 miles. There was a sticker that said change at 39,800 and the oil was clean as a whistle. It was my first oil change since I bought it. Doing it myself for $30 with synthetic was cheaper than having a shop do it with dino. I haven't had any problems with leaking, and it seems to run a bit smoother with the synthetic.

[robdog]

I use mobil 1 synthetic since 3K miles, now 88K. Only issue is the clutch is shot now. But I never thought it would last that long so that is that about the clutch issue.PS. Have 3 cars, mobil 1 in all of them.

[WaveAction]

im gonna be using synthetic soon..just expensive..but as someone mentioned it's good for long term..and you dont have to change the oil as often as regular oil so it's pretty much the same price..

[hal9001]

Been using Amzoil 5W-30 for several years. Makes for easier crankin' in Minnesota's winter.

[yotatrix]

synthetic here and I use High performance Royal Purple 5w30. I've tried Lucas, Mobil 1 and Castrol and AMSoil before. The only ones that I feel are worth it and give great protection and slight gains in compression are Royal Purple, AMSoil or the Lucas. my opinion, I know some may think differently.

[coldmm803]

i just switched on friday, i got castrol cause it was cheapest @ 5.88/qt. it seems like theres a lil more throttle response

[pick41]

I'm sure whatever she ends up with next, it will be running on Mobil-1 from the day it comes home. Ran it from new in my 96 S-series with no leaks or problems when I sold it 8 yrs/90k. Just not cost effective in my truck that takes 11 qts per drain.

[ITTRay]

I want to know if anyone has used Royal Purple. The website claims better fuel economy and reduced engine and tranny noise.

[renate]

I have a question.I put about 500 miles on my vibe per month.Should I change the oil every 3 months or wait to hit 300 miles.My car has 510 miles on it right now and will be a month old on the 17th. (I did some extra driving this month)

[ramenboy...]

Quote, originally posted by renate »I have a question.I put about 500 miles on my vibe per month.Should I change the oil every 3 months or wait to hit 300 miles.My car has 510 miles on it right now and will be a month old on the 17th. (I did some extra driving this month)i change my oil at whichever interval comes first. because i drive alot also, i've been putting synthetic in every 3k

[renate]

Thanks!

[Water boy]

Best place for oil-n-filter info is....http://bobistheoilguy.comA bit overwhelming at firstBut, what ever your question, the answer is there somewhere.

[VivaVibe]

If it is new, and you're in the break in period, I believe the first change is recommended around 1000-1500 miles. I'd do the second at 3000 and then every 5000 after that. The manual recommends 5000 for heavy use and 7500 for light use. If you are driving it like a maniac and always on dirt roads, or tow a trailer regularly, then 3000 might be better. Otherwise, stick to the manufactorers recommended schedule.I do mine twice a year which works out to about 6500 miles with full synthetic. And change the filter at every oil change. There's no point in running new clean oil through an old dirty filter.Some will swear by 3000 mile changes. That may have been true for the older cars; but new ones recommend a higher limit. Of course the oil change and parts shop like 3000 for the dollars.

[mixer]

Castrol Syntech full synthetic in my 2004 Vibe

[ssampier]

I got a new 09 Pontiac Vibe in June. I haven't changed the oil just yet (I have 1,693 miles on it). In my old car, I changed the oil every 3 months without fail. I found out very few people do that.I was thinking of using synthetic so I can go 6 months without an oil change instead. If I did, I'd use Pennzoil - hasn't failed me yet.

[KNINE]

I use pennzoil, but I go by milage, not months.

[DarkVibe]

I haven't gotten around to changing the oil yet (only 2,500 miles on her) but I will be useing synthetic.

[ssampier]

I changed my oil today at the local quick lube place, a mom-and-pop. I went with Pennzoil Synthetic. They charged $64 for full service including oil, filter, fluids check, and vacuum. I'll go back in 5,000 miles or 6 months, whatever happens first.

[zionzr2]

Quote, originally posted by ssampier »I changed my oil today at the local quick lube place, a mom-and-pop. I went with Pennzoil Synthetic. They charged $64 for full service including oil, filter, fluids check, and vacuum. I'll go back in 5,000 miles or 6 months, whatever happens first.OUCH!!! that seems expensive. I'm sure that its compareable to other Quick Lube joints for Synth though.Thats another big reason I do it myself much much cheaper. Plus I enjoy doing it myself.

[SagWhite]

I changed the oil for the first time on my 2009 1.8l, and I put Mobil 1 5w20 in it.

[ssampier]

It is a little expensive for sure. Walmart charges $49.97 for the same service, but I don't have to tell you how much I trust them. I have dealing with this local company for least 12 years (since I was old enough to drive) and I have never had any problems.I should compare the local tire outlets charge.

[isaaclud]

I change it every 5,000 with Castrol GTX...except that stretch of time where i went 10,000miles between changes....lol, i lost track of time...i did change the break in oil too...1,500 or somethinglike that

[Sublimewind]

I don't know if this makes much difference, because I've never had a Vibe motor open, but my Subie it's recommended to go out to at LEAST 10,000mi before switching to synthetic oil...The reason for this is engine break-in.... I've been told by others on my other forums, they've seen the hash mark/honing marks left in the motor after 30k still..!!! Synth practically stops this process... I'm not 100% on how I feel about that, but, I thought I would pass it along..

[Old Smokey]

I plan to change over to Synthetic at the second oil change (10,000). What most people need to think about is the oil filter when using extended oil changes. Fram has a 7,000 Filter, but I don't know of any others and that is what I have used and am using with all my vehicles. I started using synthetic oils (Amsoil) when I was in Alaska (73-76). This oil was invented with the advent of the jet engine and then adapted to auto engines. See article from the 70's in Popular Mechanics Magazine (if it is still available).

[DarkSpork]

I have been changing every 3 months/3,000 miles (whichever comes first, almost always 3 months) with regular oil. Since the winter is coming I did an oil change this month with Mobil1 and will continue to use it until it starts getting warm again, or may continue to use it, not sure yet.

[pick41]

Quote, originally posted by mixer »Castrol Syntech full synthetic in my 2004 VibeSame here. Made the switch over the first change after I bought the car, so 42k. And the $60 sounds about right, last one for me was $65 and that was oil, filter, wash, and inside cleaning.

[IronHorse]

There's few advantages to using a synthetic oil vs. regular oil if you follow the 3000 mile 3 Mos schedule. Well except draining your wallet that is! Furthermore most Oils that advertise themselves as synthetic aren't true synthetics. There' s base III and base IV types and only base IV are true synthethics. For example: Mobile 1 is a base III and therefor not a true synthetic. It's a great oil without question but if your going to pay for a real synthetic better to pay for a base IV product at those prices, than get something that in reality falls short of being a true synthetic... There's only a few Mfg's that make base IV... Never use a syntheic oil for engine brake-in nor on engines Mfg prior to 1988. Unless of course the pre 1988 engine has been rebuilt with gaskets that are synthetic friendly. I use synthetic in my bike because the use of the synthetic helps the air cooled engine run cooler. I use a synthetic in my show car because it's driven less than 1000 miles a year. So it gets an oil change once a year and a synthetic is cost effective. All other vehicles used get regualr oil that are changed every 3000 mile or 3 months.

[Joad]

Regular b/c when I change every 3 months the car has gone less than 2,000 miles. Only if I drove more between changes would I consider synthetic or synthetic blend.

[Tailslide]

Quote, originally posted by IronHorse »There's few advantages to using a synthetic oil vs. regular oil if you follow the 3000 mile 3 Mos schedule. Well except draining your wallet that is! I would agree with that if I lived in florida too, but I don't.

[prathman]

Have been using regular oil and having it changed at dealers/independents while our two Vibes were still under the powertrain warranty. Don't see much benefit to better oils when strictly sticking to the required schedule. Now that one of them is beyond the warranty period I plan to switch it to synthetic and not have to worry about sometimes letting the interval get a little longer. Cost should be about the same doing the changes myself with synthetic vs. getting it done by others with dyno (although I've gotten some really good bargains by checking for coupons lately).

[bigdan]

mobil 1 5w30 every 4,000 miles (7,000 kilos)

[reparent]

I just wanted to put in my 2 cents. I own a civic 96 and currently have 455 000 KMs (283K miles) and always used normal 5W30 oil. In the last 4 years I've used "high mileage oil" and always used FRAM filters.I'm not saying there aren't better oil but I doubt they make a big difference, I do my oil changes every 6000 kms and this has worked just fine for me. Takes about one QT of oil between oil changes (maybe a bit more but not much). FWIW I think there is a lot of marketing out there but no real evidence of the benefits of higher priced oil. But hey I could be wrong, maybe its just because I happen to be driving one of the toughest car out there and maybe the engine will die at 500 000 KMs and it would have lasted me an extra 100 000 kms with better quality oil.. I'm no expert for sure, I'm just not convinced that synthetic is really better, but again, I'm ignorent hehe! Maybe it IS quite better.. Just wanted to put in my 2 cents that's all.

[BlueCrush]

I started with regular oil, then switched to Mobil 1 Synthetic for about 3 years. I just switched back to Regular oil again.....why? You can't beat $10 oil changes using a 5w30 Shell Blend form my local Goodyear Service Center with my corporate discount coupons..

[markt484]

I use mobile 1 now. I have always changed my own oil, it just makes sense, takes about 10 minutes, and I can trust my work vs the others. My total cost of the best mobile 1 oil change you can get + a mobile 1 oil filter, is 30 dollars. Man that jack and cart kit from auto-zone is the best purchase I have ever made

[vibedrivermatt]

I use Q horsepower 5w 20 in my 09. Originally was gonna go with mobil1 but this stuff is way cheaper at walmart. $18 for a 5 quart jug. It has a good reputation and it meets all the GM certifications...sounded good to me.

[vibedrivermatt]

yup

[markt484]

Quote, originally posted by Vibe Rater »How does synthetic oil affect the GM warranty? Do they allow a longer period between oil change if you use synthetic oil?HAHAHA

[star_deceiver]

What you don't tell them, they don't know!

[Entelodont]

Mine gets synthetic Pennzoil Platinum 5W-20, along with a Fram Extended Guard filter every 3 months. When the warranty is up, it'll be 6 month intervals.

[momsvibe]

We've had our '06 for less than a year. The first oil change, I used Castrol dino since Autozone was blowing it out at $12.50 for a 5.5 qt. jug. More recently I changed with Pennzoil Platinum synthetic 5W-30 from Wal-Mart, about $20 for the jug. Both times I used the AC Delco filter.Come Spring, if I'm feeling really spendy, I'll use Total Quartz Ineo MC3 5W-30. That's what I use in my 24v VR6 Jetta. There's a little hole-in-the-wall import car parts shop in town that carries Elf/Total lubricants. They charge $33.55 for a 5 liter jug, which is better than any price I've seen online.

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by momsvibe »We've had our '06 for less than a year. The first oil change, I used Castrol dino since Autozone was blowing it out at $12.50 for a 5.5 qt. jug. More recently I changed with Pennzoil Platinum synthetic 5W-30 from Wal-Mart, about $20 for the jug. Both times I used the AC Delco filter.We too have had our '06 less than a year, but haven't put that many miles on him. I just changed him over to Pennzoil Ultra Class (whatever that means?) Full Synthetic, 5w-30 and a WIX filter about two weeks ago now.