One month on synthetic..so far so good

[bbse]

I switched my wifes car over last month. It is a 01 Olds Aurora V6 with 75k. I decided to try the Walmart synthetic brand since several people here said it was ok. This car has a special oil filter so I had to order a AC filter from O'Reillys. I changed over right at 75k. I have been checking the onboard computer for sometime and my wife drives the car to work every day the average MPG stays right at 21.7(+or- .2 tenths). It has been very consistent. I reset the computer when I changed the oil and filter. It has been one month and just under 1K miles. I checked the computer for average MPG and it was 23.8. No leaks and runs smooth. I am going to reset and check every month for a while. My tractor is still at only 30 hours since I rebuilt the engine. I think I will stick with dino oil for the first change and switch at 100 hrs. I am still getting a little smoke and using a couple ounces every couple of hours. I don't think I have it broke in all the way. It is a Kioti LK3054 and I have not been able to keep it under a heavy load for an extended period of time. i don't do much but cut grass with it.

 

[Z71]

fyi

Wix 57090 fits the Olds

btw - 32 yrs using synthetics, so far so good.

 

[Z71]

fyi

Wix 57090 fits the Olds, same filter as the Cadillac 2004 up CTS 3.6VVT engine - AC Delco PF2129, about $6. I found Fram model at Walmart for $9.95.

 

[hsdfcu]

Walmart full synthetic is not a group 4 or 5 synthetic (amsoil, redline, etc). It is a blend. For $13.98 for 4- quarts there is not way it is a true synthetic like the ones I listed.

Now, for the price and the item at hand, it is a good oil. I would go around 6 to 7 max (but use UOA to define usuage limits).

Might want to look at Halovine oil. Lots of moly and only $1.98 per qt.

As noted above, Wix is a good filter and so it Supertech

 

[bbse]

I am not arguing with you...really more asking....I believe Walmarts synthetic says full synthetic on the label. You say it is not a full synthetic? Are they advertising falsely or did I misread the label? Just want too know before next time. I had to get O'Reilly's to get me the filter. They only had a Fram in stock. I could have gotten a Wix, I know they are good filters, but he AC is OEM and it was half the price. What's amazing is I paid $5.69 for the AC, Wally world wanted $9.82 for the Fram and I think the Wix was $9 something. BTW, this is a cartridge filter that goes in the it's on receptacle in the pan, not a spin on.

 

[DieselPower]

I am not arguing with you...really more asking....I believe Walmarts synthetic says full synthetic on the label. You say it is not a full synthetic?

There is a big argument in the oil community about that. What is a synthetic? Well in technical terms a synthetic oil is any oil that has had the molecules changed in the manufacturing process thereby creating a new molecule. Some would say this is bunk, others say it is. I'm guessing that Chinamart full synthetic is Group III which is made from petro/crude oil but is hydrocracked and has had the molecules rearanged. Is it synthetic, yes it is. Some would say it is not a true synthetic though because it started life as dino oil.

 

[hsdfcu]

I am not arguing with you...really more asking....I believe Walmarts synthetic says full synthetic on the label. You say it is not a full synthetic? Are they advertising falsely or did I misread the label? Just want too know before next time. I had to get O'Reilly's to get me the filter. They only had a Fram in stock. I could have gotten a Wix, I know they are good filters, but he AC is OEM and it was half the price. What's amazing is I paid $5.69 for the AC, Wally world wanted $9.82 for the Fram and I think the Wix was $9 something. BTW, this is a cartridge filter that goes in the it's on receptacle in the pan, not a spin on.

No problem. Anything in group3 (hydrocracked dino) or above can be called a synthetic. It is LEGAL to do this based on a court case a few years ago.

There is no ester or POA's in this walmart oil. It is not gonna happen for the price of $2.50 per qt. But you read the label correctly and I have the bottle in front of me!

It is a blend and a good oil at the price. It is not even close to group 4 or group 5 but a good deal for the price. I would almost take Havoline for the price delta.

I think WIX online are like 2 to 4 for a oil filter. Go to fleet filters.com

 

[Z71]

Have you every found the 2129 deformed? Last year I changed just the filter on the CTS (was the factory one) after 5,000 miles on the new car and when I removed it, it was shaped like a hour glass, caved in at the center. Filter was made in Mexico. I now got some Wix and they are made in Poland. I paid around the same, $5-6 for the Wix, seem to be a more sturdy filter but we'll see.

The filter on the CTS is mounted on top of engine, is simple to change , no mess at all.

FWIW - This is from the Wal-Mart list of MSDS

SUPER TECH FULL SYNTHETIC - ALL GRADES -- SPECIALTY OIL / PENNZOIL

 

[bbse]

I will probabbly move up to a real synthetic next oil change. I'll check on the Wix before next oil change also. This is the first time I have changed oil in this car. Been too busy over the summer, I am in real estate. Getting poor now that fall is coming and had to do it my self.

This spring I rebuilt the engine on an abused Kioti LK3054 I picked last winter. I have only put 30 hours on it and it is still using a little oil. Some have told me to run it under a full load and I have tried, but I don't have much that will load it down. I mean most of what I do is just cutting and this thing just ripps right thru it and does not slow down. It starts right up and runs good. I say all this just to ask, how long should I wait before I switch to synthetic. If the rings are not completely seated yet I would not want too, or is my thinking mistaken?

 

[hsdfcu]

It depends on what duration you are looking for. The Supertech might be a good fit. The supertech does have a high Noack rating so you will use some oil. Now if the rings are not seating, there is additional oil.

I would toss a synethetic oil in now. Nothing will happen but longer ring seating. It is up to you wait or not. Either way will not do anything.