Synthetic Oil versus Regular Oil

shutterbugstudio · Post by **shutterbugstudio** » 14 Jun 2007, 13:24

I have a 96 850 Turbo with 163,000 that I just bought. I make it a point to change the oil on any new/used car I get, but was wondering if I should start using synthetic, even though the previous owner was using regular oil.

Thanks.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 14 Jun 2007, 14:01

I've never had a problem just changing over but a few folks have reported leaks after switching. With that in mind I went from Dino oil to a synthetic blend. After a couple more changes I'll likely go to full synthetic. Fortunately I don't leak a drop.

...Lee

F18 · Post by **F18** » 14 Jun 2007, 17:09

There are so many views on oil type....probably as many as members of this forum.
Our older Volvos came from the factory with Dino oil. Some of the newer more modern engines have closer tolerences and require syn. oil for a better shear factor and are delivered with full synthetic everything including ATF, Brake, PS, Diff.

As long as the Oil has the correct API rating for your vehicle then Dino is just fine. The reason people use Syn. is to stretch service intervals.
The problem is that the filters are the weak link.....they clog way before modern oils would ever break down. Then its nothing but dirty/contaminated synthetic oil circulating through your engine for 6k-10K miles. Not Good!

I have retired lots of my past vehicles with 250K, 373K miles with only Dino oil ever touching their lips.....and never an engine problem.
The key is changing the oil often.....every 5K for highway.

Post by **Maxbaby** » 14 Jun 2007, 23:45

^^... What he said...

turbotim2 · Post by **turbotim2** » 15 Jun 2007, 05:16

Yea, what they said!

CarVolvo · Post by **CarVolvo** » 15 Jun 2007, 19:51

i also wanted to add that... filters help remove particulates...they dont do anything for the acidity of the oil.. yes i said acidity.

With all the heavy metals and gases in the engine compartment eventually the oil becomes toxic to the engine and causes accelerated levels of deterioration.

This is why its important to maintain oil changes regardless of they type of oil you use... and i recommend every 2500 miles or 4000 klms.

waynej · Post by **waynej** » 15 Jun 2007, 23:48

Synthetic oil is not just for longer change intervals. It reduces friction and wear and seals the rings better for less blowby, thus less dirt and acid build up in the oil.You also get better gas mileage and the engine feels like it's willing to rev a little higher.

The problem with dirty oil getting to your engine occurs with the dino oils. They get extremely thick on cold mornings. If the engine is revved up before the oil is hot you can get pressures high enough to do damage. To prevent this a bypass valve opens and all the dirt the filter has been saving goes straight to the bearings! This problem does not occur with synthetic as they do not thicken when cold or get excessively thin when very hot. Try driving at high speed on the interstate on a very hot day with dino oil and then pull off and drain it quick. It's thinner than water,more like gasoline, thats not much protection for your engine.

In cold climates synthetic is great for starting on very cold mornings since it doesn't get thick. The leaking problem occurs with Mobile One, it's available in thin,thinner and ultra thin. Castrol 5W50 synthetic is the best for any car with over 100K miles. For new cars Castrol makes thinner versions but they don't leak like the extra thin Mobile One.I have been using Synthetic for 30 years and have always done as Ozark Lee says, use a para synthetic for 2 changes and then a full synthetic. I have seen 240's and 740's go over 500K miles and still running great with synthetic.

People who are still using the old fashioned oils just don't want to spend a few extra dollars to give their Volvos the best care possible.

Note: no car has won at indy in the last 30+ years without synthetic oil.

CarVolvo · Post by **CarVolvo** » 16 Jun 2007, 06:30

I agree with wayne on the benefits of synthetics... but i do believe that its more than a couple of bucks difference in synthetics compared to dino.

I wonder how many people spend a couple of bucks putting the right octane in their car which is equally important to the operation and cleansing of the engine.

The oil debate is one of the favourites on any car lover. The choice becomes your own... ive never used synthetic on any of my cars..with wonderful results. Prudent oil changes and proper maintenance have kept them alive. I actually use 5-w-30 in the winter and 10-w-30 in the summer to keep up to our canadian climate. I have had 6 volvos with over 300,000 miles and still going.

I just wanted to add...no indy or most racing cars have won any races even using normal gasoline.. i think they are in the breed to themselves...considering their engines are rebuilt after every race ...not like our beloved volvo's who seem to go forever! (well mine anyway!!)

F18 · Post by **F18** » 16 Jun 2007, 07:11

I agree with you CarVolvo........race cars are not assembly line produced Volvos in any respect. No comparison........like comparing an F18 to a Piper Cub!

I have heard of some people having problems switching oil type. After the vehicle is exposed to years of Dino and then switch to synthetic sometimes the seals shrink because the synthetic is less Aeromatic. I think that people expect way to much from switching a vehicle that has ran all its life on Dino (in this case 166,000miles) to synthetic. At that point I think its overkill...... It would be a different story if it had been run on syn. from day one.

When it comes down to it frequent oil and filter changes are important whether you use dino or synthetic. You got to do it hot and often to flush the contaminents out!

Post by **Maxbaby** » 16 Jun 2007, 15:12

For those that haven't heard of it...

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

A great source for information on lubricants.