i used search and all i found was when to switch to synthetic and what brand to use. what i'm looking for are the benefits to switching to synthetic, what are they? why not just stay with honda non-synthetic?

 

I don't think there is anything wrong with staying with Honda dino oil. It's just more expensive, that's all. If you are going to stay with dino oil, go out and get Castrol or Penzoil. It'll be just as good and cheaper than buying it from the dealer (unless they cut you a real good deal).
As for synthetic, these are generally considered to have characteristics that are more beneficial for an engine. Will these benefits be noticeable? That's hard to say. Dino oil may in fact do quite an adequate job. Perhaps synthetic is just overkill but in my mind, I'm prepared to pay the extra money to get the extra margin of protection for an engine that is very expensive and very complex. It "comforts" my mind and that's worth it to me.

 

Hey xviper,

In light of your above statement, if your car was on a lease and you knew you would be dumping it in 4 years, would you still consider switching to synthetic??

Thanks,
Drew

 

NO! But then, that's why I wouldn't buy a lease return, either. For me, a leased vehicle would get the minimum care required by the "book".

 

The synthetic oil manufacturers claim that instead of a blend of different-lengthed carbon chain molecules, synthetic oil is chemically derived to have all of the molecules (except for the additives) to be identical. Since shorter molecules are less viscous and longer molecules are more viscous, dino oil has some of the properties of all of the molecules it contains. The longer molecules make the oil more viscous (thicker) when the engine is cold (thus harder cold-engine starts), and the shorter molecules make the oil less viscous when the oil is hot. This is not a problem while the engine is running, but it results in more oil dripping to the oilpan, and less of a film on the engine components. The synthetic oil manufacturers claim that since starting a cold engine does the most damage (due to lack of lubrication), using synthetic oil will minimize the damage. Also, they claim that synthetic oil is less prone to break down, therefore maintaining its viscosity longer. It also supposedly tends to be better at keeping particulates suspended, where they can be trapped in the oil filter rather than settle to the bottom.

This information is based on what I have read primarily from the oil manufacturers, and from various tech reviews. I'm not sure if it is totally accurate, but it probably has some merit since it does make sense. That being said, I can't see how synthetic oil does a better job at high performance, such as during VTEC - and the synthetic oil manufacturers don't directly make that claim. When the oil is moving around in your engine, and it has been changed regularly, dino oil is likely doing the same amount of lubrication and protection as synthetic oil.

FYI, I'm going with Mobil 1 Synthetic in my S2000 (since I plan on keeping it for a long time and I don't drive it every day), and I use the cheapest dino oil I can buy for my daily driver ('95 Corrolla with 174,000 miles, and burns no oil).

 

For those that are curious:

Honda OEM Oil is supplied by either Castrol or Quaker State. Unfortunately, I forgot which of the two.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by slalom44
[B] That being said, I can't see how synthetic oil does a better job at high performance, such as during VTEC

 

Using synthetic in any car you don't plan to keep for at least over 100,000 miles does not make sense to me.

We have 2 Hondas, an 02 Accord that my wife owns and and 02 S2000 that I'm leasing. I treat both cars the same - regular oil change at 7,500 miles, regularly check air pressure, oil leve, etc. Basically, I just go by the book and I don't see anything wrong with that.

I used to treat my cars with synthetic but not anymore. I've never noticed a difference. Honda builds good motors, it's the rest of the stuff that starts showing it's age way before the engine and this is why I've had to sell cars. So, if I'm not going to keep a car for 200,000 miles, why waste money on synthetic.

Just my $0.02

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by wc_one
[B]

Precisely.

 

I have no proof of the power output of the car using synthetic but I did notice an increase in fuel mileage (yes I do log them down per tank full). In 4 full tanks of gas, it paid for the use of synthetic oil in my car. I use Royal Purple 10w-30.

With gas prices skyrocketing now, it helps to save a few here and there.