[A/S] Synth. Oils (was Truck Maintenance)

["Thomas Dickieson <lleather@xxxxxxxx>" <lleather@xxxxxxxx>]

I don't know the interest level on this subject, but it is time to 
debunk some of the misconceptions which have been brought forth.  Not 
all synthetic oil manufacturers offer or recommend extended drain 
intervals for their product.  Only Amsoil, Redline and NEO offer any 
real extended intervals, and all three recommend one year even if you 
have not made it to the mileage requirements.  Quaker State now says 
their product can go 7500 miles, but DO NOT recommend it.  In fact 
the CEO of Quaker state said it is the responsibility of their 
representatives to CREATE business by recommending more frequent 
changing.

I also saw that someone believed that if regular oil had been used 
for a while, the vehicle Could Not be switched to synthetic.  This is 
not correct unless, and I repeat, unless, the mileage on regular oils 
is in the 150,000 mile range.  The vehicle could still be switched, 
without harming it, but the seals and gaskets in that engine are 
being reinforced by sludge, which the synthetic will clean out, 
thereby enhancing the possibility of leaking from every orifice on 
that engine known to man.  In other words, it could get bad.  Other 
than that one instance of caution, switching back and forth is no 
problem whatever.

Transmission oils are made by the manufacturer for their brand of 
transmission and work best in their own huh?  This is certainly not 
correct.  Automotive manufacturers, with the exception of Ford, use 
transmission fluid which is virtually identical.  They have it 
packaged in their own brand names to make money.  Fords type F tranny 
fluid used to have components which were compatible with the plastics 
used in their transmissions.  This is no longer even the case.  
Synthetic universal automatic transmission fluid is totally 
acceptable in todays new electronic shift transmissions, and will 
enable the transmission to run cooler even in the absence of a 
cooler, although a cooler will enrichen the experience.

Gear lubricants in the newer Ford differentials are synthetic from 
the factory, at least in the rear differential.  I am not 
knowledgeable of the others, but GM sells their Corvette fully 
synth'd right from the factory.

If using extended drain lubes, do you have to send a sample of your 
oil for analysis every 3 to 4 thou miles?  Absolutely not.  If you 
have installed the bypass filtration setups available, which enable 
you to no longer change oil at all, just change filters and top up 
the levels, then yes, absolutely, you should send your oil out for 
analysis at filter change time.  If, however you happen to be using 
say, Amsoil, which recommends 25000 miles or one year, with filter 
change at 12500, then oil analysis is not necessary.

If you happen to think that synthetic is good and still change your 
oil every 3 to 4 thousand miles, one you have too much money, and two 
you are polluting.  You are not getting the use out of the lubricant, 
and you are producing more pollution waste than you need to.  One of 
the main benefits of synthetic is to the environment, as with less 
oil changes, and better mileage, you are using less fossil fuel, and 
less fossil lubricant, which ends up being poured in most instances 
into your sewers, or in your ditches, or sent to your landfills, 
where it can leach into the watersheds of whatever community you 
happen to be polluting today.

If you don't wish to use synthetics, it is your choice, but if you do 
wish to use them, feel free to use them as you would expect they 
should and can be used.  Contact someone who can not only sell but 
advise on their use, (this would be independant dealers, or mechanics 
who are knowledgeable and actually known to you)  There are lots of 
people out there who will denegrate synthetics without any knowledge 
of the products.  Try not to find one of them as your adviser.

Tom
North Bay, Ontario

And please, noone get upset and think that I am picking on them.  I 
am not.  I am only trying to help.  In that vein, I won't even try to 
sell anybody anything.  Now, I shall step off my soapbox, and Hunter, 
I hope this was okay, as it pertained to Tow Vehicles, for Airstreams.