prophet@umcp-cs.UUCP (Dennis Gibbs) (09/29/84)
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I have fairly extensive experience with Mobil One, as well as Amsoil synthetic
Motor Oil. I can heartily recommend either one, with some qualifications.
One is that I would not start using a synthetic oil in a car with over 20,000
miles on it. Most synthetic oils tend to disolve varnish and sludge, and once
an engine has begun to accumulate significant amounts of this stuff, intro-
ducing a synthetic oil can loosen some of this stuff which can cause problems
such as increased oil consumption. This happened when I attempted to start
using Mobil One in a 1977 Datsun 210.
Also, some engines are viscosity sensitive, and will tend to burn (or leak) a
light oil such as Mobil One. (By the way, Mobil One is a 5W-30 Oil) This hap-
pened when I tried to use Mobil One in a 1979 Datsun 310GX. When I switched
to Mobil One in this car, oil consumption increased to about 3000 miles to a
quart of Oil. When this happened, I switched to Amsoil synthetic oil, which
is a 10W-40 oil.
On the other hand, I have been using Mobil One in a 1977 Buick Electra, and
it really seems to work well in this car. Oil consumption with Mobil One is
about 6000 miles to a quart, which I think is excellent for a car with almost
50,000 miles on it.
By the way, I have spectroscopic oil analysis done on all my automobiles, so I
know the oil is holding up well. I generally change oil twice a year when
using a synthetic. The amount of wear metals that I find in the oil when the
analysis is done is beloew average, compared with a regular 10W-30 or 40 oil.
I am completely sold on synthetic lubricants, and I will continue to use them
in all my family's vehicles. However, I will also say that they are not for
everyone. It is also difficult to tell whether you are really coming out
ahead money wise. For example, I find that with the synthetic oil, my engines
turn over easier in cold weather. Now, common sense will tell you that if the
engine is turning over easier, there is probably less wear and tear on the
starter and battery, but just how can you place a monetary value on an easier
cold morning start? Also, it is very difficult to tell whether gas mileage is
better. I think mine is helped a bit, but probably not more than a mile a
gallon or so. Also, the colder an environment you live in, the more your
mileage would likely improve with a synthetic.
I don't have time to go into all the details of the advantages of synthetic
oils, so I will just give you a place to write for more information:
Mobil Oil Corporation Amsoil, Inc.
3225 Gallows Road 2206 Winter Street
Fairfax, Virginia 22037 Superior, Wisconsin 54880
Both of these companies tend to be fairly generous with literature on their
products (especially Mobil) so I would encourage you to write them. Also, I
believe the April 1976 issue of Popular Science Magazine had an excellent ten
page article on synthetic oils.
In conclusion, I would like to say that I am not in any way afiliated with
these companies, but I do find the subject of lubrication fascinating. If any
one would like to send me email for more specific information, please do so, I
would welcome the opportunity to discuss the subject further.
Dennis Gibbs
--
Call-Me: Dennis Gibbs, Univ. of Md. Comp. Sci. Center.
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