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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
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