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From: 250jmg@sunybcs.UUCP (J Matthew Good)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Synthetic Oils
Message-ID: <663@sunybcs.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 11-Oct-84 12:59:15 EDT
Article-I.D.: sunybcs.663
Posted: Thu Oct 11 12:59:15 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 12-Oct-84 07:49:18 EDT
References: <166@maxvax.UUCP> <395@tpvax.fluke.UUCP>
Organization: State University of New York @ Buffalo,NY
Lines: 79

> 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 1977, I puchased a new Chevette.  I also felt the engine ran better after
installing Mobil 1.  In fact, on one occasion, as I was passing on a 2 lane highway, the driver of the car I was passing decided to race.  And there was a car
comming the other way, so in third gear I proceeded to accelerate to almost
75 miles/hr, about 1000 rpm ABOVE redline, yet I never had any engine trouble
during the entire subsequent 14000 miles I owned the car.  I would still have
it, but someone totalled it for me, so.

>    -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.
> 
This is a sticky situation.  Read the owners manual, VERY CAREFULLY!!!!
If the manual says petroleum-based only, then by all means don't use
synthetic, as they have covered their *SSES!  However, if there is no prohibition in the manual, go right ahead and use it if you want.  There is a federal
law regarding warrantees which requires all conditions of warrantee to be in writing, and this warrantee to be presented to the consumer BEFORE purchase.
Since Mobil 1 meets or exceeds the requirements of API service SE-SF(/CC?)
the only limitations are on the actual viscosity of the oil itself.  Also,
despite the dealers claims, most do NOT have facilities for determining the
origin of the base used in the oil.  IN OTHER WORDS, the dealer may have
been expressing his/her personal bias against Mobil 1.

>    -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.
> 
While it is best to start any engine on Mobil 1 when new, it is possible
to switch at any time.  Indications that such a switch would not be good
are:
         1)   Blue-gray exhaust at ANY time.  Starting, acceleration,
              deceleration, idling, ANYTIME!

         2)   Any signs of leakage, such as spots under car after parked
              for any period of time.

         3)   Use of more than one-half quart (liter) of oil between
              oil changes.  Oil consumption WILL increase. 
              This is doubly important, as Mobil 1's
              biggest advantage is its extended service interval.
              However, never EVER exceed the recommended mileage limit
              in your owner's manual!  With petroleum-based oils, the
              6000+ mile recommendations on new cars are far too high
              for safe maintenance.  Remember, these people are in 
              business to sell cars, not oil!  3000 miles is tops 
              without going to a synthetic.

         4)   Do Not switch in any engine with a TURBO, or in a
              Diesel.  These engines have special service intervals
              which are to frequent for synthetic to offer any
              advantage.

These guidelines would also apply to the AMSOIL synthetics as well, 
except I believe AMSOIL offers a selection of viscosities, unlike
Mobil 1, which comes in 5W-40 only.

                                         J. Matthew Good
                                         !sunybcs!250jmg