Has anyone noticed a performance benefit in terms of smoother ride, better gas mileage, etc. when using a full synthetic oil? Since I'll still change the oil at the prescribed intervals I am debating the usefulness of synthetic oil.


Thanks

 

I've been getting marginally better mileage since I switched to full synthetic. Gone from averaging 33mpg to maybe 35mpg (anecdotal evidence, believe it or don't). Mostly the engine feels smoother and not as raspy when you rev it. Also, engine braking doesn't slow down the car as much...

 

it may be more expensive but it will make the car run smoother and better mileage. otherwise honda oem oil will carry ur honda over 300k easily.
so synthetic=more money but smoother engine better mileage
oem=cheaper will last just as long.
so if ur looking to just make ur car last a while for cheap just do oem. if u drive ur car a lil harder and want it smoother go for synthetic

 

all the synthetic does is not break down over time. conventional oil starts to break down after a certain amount of use but the synthetic keeps on lubricating all the engine parts right up until its dirty and time to change.

 

Hondas will run on wal-mart oil for 300k miles. The fractional benefit from full synthetic on a fit hardly is worth the price. I only use synthetic in my bike since it revvs to 15k RPM. SOHC honda motors will take any 5-20 or 5-30 and run forever as long as you maintain them, even with the cheapest oil you can buy.

I usually see whats on sale at pep boys or wherever, get the do-your-own package discount, and get the oil fiters from HandA oem ones. I have 4 OEM oil filters left, with crush washers, and have probably 20 quarts of 5w30 and 5w20 in regular and mobil1. Many times you can get synthetics for the same price as regular name brand oil. No real need for synthetic unless you live in harsh conditions

 

I changed to 0w20 Mobil1 and did notice better acceleration and picked up 2-3mpg, but the engine is louder than before. I'm also changing the oil every 6-8k miles instead of when the maintenance minder comes on.

I'd stick with conventional oil if you're not going to extend your intervals.

 

On many dyno trials we typically see about a 3% increase in hp across the curve and a slight reduction in specific gas consuption. The chief advantage of synthetics tho is their ability to resist degradation for much longer periods of use and thus longer lubrication such as 5000-6000 miles between changes compared to 3000 miles.

 

the reason to use synthetic oil is that it doesnt break down over time like conventional oil does.

 

using 0w20 will make it louder for sure. 0w20 is about the thinnest oil out there. I actually use 5w30 because it keeps the engine super quiet. No valve noise. Even while driving you can barely hear the engine until freeway speeds

 

i use synthetic oil. i like it. don't notice any difference. maybe better gas mileage.

 

adding... it is a lot better to use synthetic if you live in extremely cold climates

 

yea, cold or harsh conditions Synthetic makes a difference, especially cold starts when its super cold

 

i didn't experience any significant fuel economy increase when using synthetic oil.

 

totally, my car has been starting with no problems with the single digits and temps below zero that i've been dealing with the past few months, and i don't have to worry as much about not completely letting the car warm up before i start driving. my fuel economy with these temps is 30-32 mpg with mostly highway driving doing about 80mph. (i don't drive for economy)

the way i drive my car i should probably change the tranny fluid to that GM stuff that people rave about.. i don't remember what honda put in there

 

5w30 gets rid of the valve chatter? really? i might have to try that this spring/summer

 

I'll take my newfound highway passing power over valve chatter anyday!

 

I sank a 10ft putt in the honda showroom and got free oil changes for the life of the car. changed and documented every 3k

 

so ****ing lucky memphis

 

wish they had that when I bought mine. I would get the oil changed every 3k too. The fit oil minder lasts about 7k miles on my car, which is amazing, and when I change the oil it dosn't even look as dirty as it should. I do use fuel system cleaners every oil change, and add marvel mystery oil to oil and gas as old habit. Also the oil gets lucas oil stabilizer, so it really smoothes out the car. I do the same thing in my accord and RR, and all my other cars(74 datsun w/375k miles, 90 LS400 250k miles, 4g63 eclipse powered 93 elantra 180k miles) and they just keep running. Altogether the vehicles have about a million miles. So changing oil using regular oil regularly with some marvel mystery oil and lucas fuel and lucas oil treatments, your cars can last pretty much forever

 

I'm planning on running full synthetic too.. what do u guys run? I'm thinking Royal Purple or Mobil 1 5w-20 and is running 5w-30 gonna affect anything else besides engine chatter?