100,000 km's and oil

[poncho 1]

it's a sad day i hit 100,000 km's today :(
i was due for a oil change anyway but i was wondering if i should switch from regular 5w30 (penzoil) or go with a high milage or synthetic oil i want to keep the 3400 running at it's best thanks

[jonnythan]

Certainly won't hurt to go to a good synthetic (good synthetics are Mobil 1, Pennzoil Platinum, Amsoil, etc).

However, synthetics aren't really necessary if you have "normal" oil change intervals. Valvoline Max-Life Synthetic Blend is an excellent conventional oil that will serve you very well if you keep the oil changes in the 5000-8000 km range.

For additional peace of mind, do two 5000-8000 km oil cycles with the same oil and then send it off to an oil analysis lab like Blackstone. For about $20US, they'll do a detailed analysis of your oil and tell you how it's holding up.

[poncho 1]

thanks for the in fo but i heard u can't use synthetic oil unless u've been using it from the stsrt is there any truth to this i don't mind spending the extra cash but i don't want to flush it down the drain hole ether

[jonnythan]

thanks for the in fo but i heard u can't use synthetic oil unless u've been using it from the stsrt is there any truth to this i don't mind spending the extra cash but i don't want to flush it down the drain hole ether

That's one of the many silly synthetic oil myths with no basis in reality.

I've used Mobil 1 almost exclusively for a long time. Next OC I'm going to change to Pennzoil Platinum and compare my oil analysis results. I'm a member of a forum dedicated to motor oil and oil analysis.. Pennzoil Platinum apparently analyzes for wear even better than Mobil 1. I'll find out by next year.

The main benefit of synthetic is extended oil change intervals. If you're keeping it around 5000 - 8000 km per change, any oil should do fine. Synthetic sure won't hurt though. Just be sure you keep the oil level up and you do regular changes.