Basic Question for the experienced with oil.

[meliketoball]

Hey guys, it is time for an oil change for my 2gnt. Right now I have 10w30 supertech synthetic oil in the crankcase and was wondering if I change it to regular 10w30 quaker state oil. Will that ruin my motor or will it be ok? I asked my friends and only got 50/50 answers with yes you can or no you can't. So, guys help me!

 

[HondaStylez]

It won't ruin your motor. 99% of the world's population runs their engines on dino oil, it must work for something. Syntec is definately better, but no, switching won't hurt anything.

Any particular reason you decided to change?

 

[antlip]

Going from synthetic to regular oil is a big no no.

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

Should not be any problem at all. Go right ahead.


*edit* Antlip, care to explain why it's a big no-no?

 

[MrBoxx]

I'm not a moderator, but I think this thread may start turning into one of "those" threads that gets locked within a few posts.

That said, here's some advice to everyone posting: If you have a position one way or the other, do not just say "Don't switch" or "It'll be okay". Cite some reputable references. Pretend you're doing a report for college; your professor isn't going to accept "Because I said so" as a viable argument. Neither will DSMtuners. Remember the 3rd rule in red when you reply: Don't try to help if you don't know the answer - bad advice can be worse than no advice (no "I think" or "I guess" or "I've heard"). A link to a natural and/or synthetic oil manufacturer's FAQ page where this question is answered would be a good start.

 

[HondaStylez]

Why would it turn into that? It isn't even debatable, switching back to dino will not hurt anything. Yea synthetic is better and I don't agree with him switching, but that doesn't change the fact that it won't hurt anything, regardless of what anyone's "opinion" on the matter may be.

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

That's very well put and I realise I'm guilty of posting an opinion without evidence as well.

I don't feel like digging, but there is some info floating around this site (and elsewhere) comparing synthetics to standard oil. I have not seen anything scientific on switching from synthetic to standard. More often arguments are about the other direction.

I can tell you that i personally have run regular in quite a few cars after years of using synthetic (usually just for a few thousand miles) and have had no obvious negative effects. And it stands to reason that if your car came from the factory with regular oil that regular oil should run just fine in it.

I doubt anyone will come up with anything more concrete than that sort of argument. Here's to hoping this thread doesn't implode.

 

[tqmx1]

Does the oil meet or exceed the API index for the engine? If it does you will not harm it. All oils have to meet the specs so when you are on the road and have to add a quart they are all compatable with one anther.

So save a few bucks and run the dyno oil.

 

[GloriousDSM]

It is said that when switching from synthetic, it thins out gaps and small build ups once inhabited by mineral oil and then can cause leaks when you go back to mineral oils since the synthetics flushed the engine of some of the built up mineral deposits. since they are no longer there they can leak between seals so thats why I have read that you should not change back and forth and just stick with one or the other

 

[1stGenRocks]

It is said that when switching from synthetic, it thins out gaps and small build ups once inhabited by mineral oil and then can cause leaks when you go back to mineral oils since the synthetics flushed the engine of some of the built up mineral deposits. since they are no longer there they can leak between seals so thats why I have read that you should not change back and forth and just stick with one or the other

genereally whats said to happen and ive seen first hand in my talon is when you switch from dino oil to syn. it cleans all the buildup off everything and may then start leaking regardless of whether you stay syn. or switch back to dino oil.

dino oil will create some buildup which can seal small leaks but i wouldnt count on that to fix any noticible leaks

 

[Defiant]

Now you see why we don't discuss oil here. Too many bullshit myths.

Use whatever oil you like. Over the life of an engine, there may be a 5,000 mile difference.