How can I tell the difference (engine oil)?
I paid something like $7.xx per quart for the dealer to put in specifically Mobil-1 tri-synthetic formula during my 15k checkup. I assumed that's what they used. I got in my car this morning and noticed a little sticker on my windshield. It's a CASTROL sticker, with a checkbox for oil type (regular, blend, and synthetic). The "regular" box is checked!!!! Damn! Is there a way I can tell what kind of oil is in my engine?
There's an engine oil analysis place in the following thread.
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...ht=oil+analysis
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...ht=oil+analysis
That's seems a bit expensive for even synthetic oil. I just bought some Mobil 1 synthetic this morning for $6.00 CAN. per liter (about the same as your quart). How can you tell without the expense of analysis? Drain a bit out 1/4 - 1/3 cup and put it in a -20*C freezer for a couple hours. If it's normal oil, it'll be like honey (put some normal oil in another jar for comparison). If it's synthetic, it'll pour like it does at room temp.
With the right oil analysis, you can tell what oil you have - but it may be easier to just challenge the service dept on it and if they can't prove it, have them change the oil again. Or do it yourself the next time.
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This sucks. Well, I guess there's really no harm done, other than I may have gotten gyped (sp?). I'm not exactly driving in severe weather conditions or tracking my car before my next oil change anyway.
Day 1: Severe headaches and throwing up blood. My eyes now have a yellowish film over them... Not sure if this is fully caused by the motor oil, though, because I decided to test the antifreeze, too.
Originally posted by jschmidt
BTW, the only true way to tell if you have synthetic is to drink at least four ounces. Let us know what happens. Mine tested synthetic for about the next five days...
BTW, the only true way to tell if you have synthetic is to drink at least four ounces. Let us know what happens. Mine tested synthetic for about the next five days...
Day 1: Severe headaches and throwing up blood. My eyes now have a yellowish film over them... Not sure if this is fully caused by the motor oil, though, because I decided to test the antifreeze, too.
Please check out this thread:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=39874
I just had to see for myself. So I did a little simple experiment. And yes, you can tell if the dealer put synthetic oil in your car without having the to fuss or go to the expense of a lab analysis.
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=39874
I just had to see for myself. So I did a little simple experiment. And yes, you can tell if the dealer put synthetic oil in your car without having the to fuss or go to the expense of a lab analysis.



