Switching between synthetic and regular oil

I've been using Castrol synthetic oil in my Elantra. When I went for an oil
change recently and asked for regular oil I was told that since they had
been putting synthetic in my car they would not switch back to regular oil.
Would it in fact put the engine at risk to use regular oil?

 

No, but I'm curious why you would want to switch back after having used
synthetic.

 

No, no risk at all. Even though I don't do it, you can even mix regular
and synthetic together and put it in your engine. Most oil companies
now sell blends and mixing two quarts of each is just making a blend.
Who told you they wouldn't put in conventional oil?


Matt

 

If this site is to be believed,
http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html (search for "Mixing
Mineral and Synthetic oils"), switching between mineral and non-pure
synthetic oils is no longer thought to cause damage to the engine.

 

Wal-Mart - the employee said something along the lines of "if we switch the
oil and you have engine problems Wal-Mart would be responsible".

 

Only because cash is a little tight at the moment and I wanted to save
twenty dollars. I prefer the synthetic and I will probably keep using it
since the Wal-mart lube & oil package is still the best bang for the buck in
my area. I don't like being fed misinformation though.

 

Wal-Mart, that explains it.

Matt

 

Yeah. Well, they must have heard about the McDonalds "coffee" suit.
:^)

 

Oh that's hilarious.

If your car fell off the lift, got stolen, left the shop without an oil
filter or pan bolt, filled the crankcase with canned milk instead of
oil, or if any of a dozen other things happened to destroy the car or
the engine, they'd totally deny responsibility.

But swap synth for dino and suddenly they claim they'd be responsible
for something?!?!

hee hee

 

Well - that explains a great deal.

 

And you are - being fed misinformation. I've never paid for an oil change
so I don't know the difference in price between a synthetic change and a
dino change. I understand cash being tight and if it is then at least walk
away with the confidence that you're really not hurting your motor in any
way by switching between the two.

 

You mean there are places that will actually change your oil for you?


Matt

 

Last oil change I did myself was in 1991 when I bought a new Regal. It was
a real PITA getting to the filter. I find it much easier to reach into my
pocket for $25 than crawl under the car, especially in cold weather. I
usually go during the work day when a local shop is not busy so even time
and convenience is not a factor for me.

 

Well, the difference is they would lose "deniability" if they agreed to
switch the oil. On the other hand, I could have filled the crankcase with
canned milk myself! Latte anyone? <g>

 

No doubt it is easier. I just like to get out and do something
different after sitting at a computer all day. Also, it is a good time
to inspect under the car and look at the oil for signs of serious engine
distress. I also still split all of my own firewood by hand (8-10 face
cords a year). It would be easier to buy it, but I enjoy getting out
and doing things like that.


Matt

 

Hello VicTek,

V> Only because cash is a little tight at the moment and I wanted to
V> save twenty dollars. I prefer the synthetic and I will probably keep
V> using it since the Wal-mart lube & oil package is still the best bang
V> for the buck in my area. I don't like being fed misinformation
V> though.

Vic,

Here is a suggestion. Save twenty dollars *and* use synthetic oil at the
same time.

How? Change the oil yourself, and use Walmart 5W-30 Super Tech Synthetic
Oil. I have been using it for over a year in my Tiburon and it is perfectly
fine. It typically costs 1/2 as much as Mobil 1 which I used before (never
used Castrol Synthetic) and for the driving I do and the conditions here,
the Walmart product would be just fine. The important thing to remember is
the API rating and the weight of the oil for the environmental conditions.
Besides that, use good quality oil and change it often.

Hyundai recommends every 7500 miles for my car under the "normal" schedule,
but I change it every 5000 miles.

Doing it yourself using this synthetic means you can get the oil change done
for under $20.

Regards,
Wayne Mose

 

Here is a suggestion. Save twenty dollars *and* use synthetic oil at the

I may do just that Wayne. I just need to take some time to find the oil
filter and see how much of a pain it will be to R&R, see if I can get at the
oil pan drain plug or if I'm going to need a couple of front wheel ramps,
find out where I can take the old oil for safe disposal/recycling...

On second thought it's starting to sound like real work <g>.

 

Here in CT, any place that sells oil must also take back an equivalent
amount for recycling to what you bought . We can also have it picked up at
the curb on trash day, but the idiots that wrote the regulation made a limit
of two quarts per week.

 

Hello VicTek,

V> I may do just that Wayne. I just need to take some time to find the
V> oil filter

Right front of engine.

V> and see how much of a pain it will be to R&R, see if I can
V> get at the oil pan drain plug or if I'm going to need a couple of
V> front wheel ramps,

Ramps are no good whatsoever, since the car has to be level. You can jack
up the RF wheel, and put a jack stand underneath for safety, enough to get
at the oil drain plug (or valve -- see below in this message). then when
that is off and the oil is draining, it should be lowered back to level.

V> find out where I can take the old oil for safe
V> disposal/recycling...

My local AutoZone is pleased to take the waste oil, even when I bring several
oil changes worth (which I let accumulate in the drain pan / container I
have).


V> On second thought it's starting to sound like real work <g>.

Not too bad though. I have a Fumoto valve installed on my car so there is
no fiddling with the oil pan plug. See this page for more -- http://egt.gwebworks.com/garage.shtml

Regards,
Wayne Mose

 

Wheel ramps are nearly essential for most cars. I can change my 4x4 on
the ground, but my Sonata and minivan need ramps. I'd have to weigh
less than 130 lbs to even thing of getting under either of my cars with
them on the ground!


Matt