Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 Fluke 8/7/84; site fluke.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!fluke!inc From: inc@fluke.UUCP (Gary Benson) Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: Synthetic Oils Message-ID: <395@tpvax.fluke.UUCP> Date: Thu, 27-Sep-84 13:05:07 EDT Article-I.D.: tpvax.395 Posted: Thu Sep 27 13:05:07 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 4-Oct-84 02:14:28 EDT References: <166@maxvax.UUCP> Organization: John Fluke Mfg. Co., Everett, WA Lines: 31 Thoughts on Mobil 1 and other synthetic oils: -In 1981, a friend of mine purchased a new Honda (I forget the model, but think it was a super-Civic of some kind). After the break-in, he drained out the factory oil and replaced it with Mobil 1. He told me that the engine performed noteicably better in several ways: his subjective impression was that he could wind the engine tighter without feeling that it was about to spring, and in highway driving noticed an increase in mileage of over 10%. -In 1983, I bought a new Toyota Celica, and asked the Service Manager of the dealership what he thought of the story about my friend. He said that it could well be true, but that if I used a synthetic, all bets were off regarding Toyota's liability in case of *any* engine failure during the warranty period. In fact, he said that since Toyota recommends only pertoleum-based lubricants, they made it a practice to check for signs of the use of synthetics as a normal part of in-warranty engine repair. -Since the synthetics do have a lower viscosity (I've heard that they are apporximately like 5-weight), it is nearly impossible to use them in an older engine, because 5-weight can leak where no 10 can. The bind, then is this: to really use a synthetic, you've got to have a tight engine in top condition, which for most of us means NEW. But if you use it in a new engine, you chance losing any warranty rights you may have, at least in the case of Toyota. -- Gary Benson ms232e -*- John Fluke Mfg Co -*- Box C9090 -*- Everett WA 98206 USA {microsoft,allegra,ssc-vax,sun,sb1}{decvax,ihnp4,tektronix!uw-beaver}!fluke!inc duetotheshortageofrobotsallourworkersarehumanandmayreactunpredictablywhenabused