Chasmoe

Thanks a lot Jeep84, that was very well explained. I've always liked to hear the "why", rather than just the "how" to do things. It sinks in better and stays there a lot longer...for me anyway.

trigger

great post, jeep 84!

...especially for a first post! don't forget to swing by the introductions section and tell us a little about yourself. also if you have a chance, give sunday night chat a try... the more the better!

Airdale

Syn oil is better for your engine. It runs cooler, sticks better and lubricates a lot better!
That shop that sold you the half Syn is smoking you. Half & half is no better than regular Dino oil!
People say 'don't mix them' then sell you half & half! And tell you every other one. That's BS.
You can go from one to the other without issue, but why?
It was developed for racing engines and is the best oil you can buy. You can go 10k plus with Syn oil. Only drawback is the cost! But to protect your engine, use Syn oil.
Had a mechanic tell me one time ' Line up 10 motors and when I tear them down, I will tell you which ones used Syn oil' It is that noticeable.
Your Jeep, your choice.
But I use it in my 2011 Wrangler, wife's car and my Harley.

Jeep84

Half & Half synthetic oil is not just synthetic oil and conventional that are mixed in a big pot at the factory... It is a synthetic oil that uses conventional as a base. Conventional is broken down to a "base" that is used to build a synthetic oil out of. That is why it will mix with conventional, because it is very similar on a molecular level.

You can switch from one to the other without any real negative effects, (because you have 4-6 liters of one and a fraction of a liter of the other floating around in there that will kinda mix and flush out, not like a 2L/3L mix) but it is recommended by many shops to flush when changing from one to the other. This is expensive because you are basically doing 2 oil changes at the same time, so it is easier and cheaper to just drain as much as possible before switching. Synthetics off the shelf I believe are made to kinda mix for this reason. Correct me if I am wrong please, but I believe Mobile 1 claims their full synthetic can be blended with any type of oil. I wouldn't in my vehicle though. Pure synthetic or pure conventional...you don't want to top up with synthetic when you are a pint low with an engine full of conventional or visa versa.

In a racing engine that costs $100,000+, (and rebuilt after every race) You want to be very specific and careful with what you put into it, In a $3000 Chrysler engine, it is not so important. It is not built to the same specifications. Your cheap garden variety engine is pretty forgiving. So a little mix and match is not really noticed.

trigger

last time i checked, i had a cheap garden variety engine under my hood...lol i think i'll be just fine without the expensive synthetic oil.

i always thought the true test of an oil's quality was the ability to retain its viscosity over time. if you were rebuilding a race engine after every race, you are always using new fluids, so maybe it boils down to the oil's ability to keep things clean and well oiled?

my father was a tractor puller for many years, his motor was a 454 chevy that was tweaked to deliver around 800hp. he would use regular quaker state oil and would change it after each weekend of pulling. the oil that came out of it was still so clean he would reuse it in his truck, the wife's truck, and anything else he could put it in...lol those pulling tractors are working under HUGE loads albeit for a short period of time (compared to racing) and it held up just fine.

-all this to say, if you are meticulous with your maintenance, what real difference does it make to use synthetic over regular motor oil?

Airdale

I'll just reinterate that Syn oil is better for your engine. It was developed for the racing guys because it reduces engine heat and lubricates better than dino oil. We have been using dino oil for 100 years and motors have running and doing work.
But the fact remains that motors have been breaking down for 100 years as well. The motor of today is a different animal than the motors in the past! Even recent past.
Far more sophisticated and higher tolerances.
You can use dino oil and change every 3 - 5000kms and you will probably be fine.
But, the real enemy of an internal combustion motor is heat. And Syn reduces heat in a motor substantially. And it lubricates better. Sticks better and lives longer in your engine.
All this means is that it reduces wear and damage in your motor.
Yes it costs more, but you don't have to change as often. So essentially you will save money!

trigger

good points. thanks for the info.