Synthetic Oil question

Hello,

My 2008 Accord now has 1000 miles on it. Its a month old. I am at 80% right
now, which I guess is good. I know that when I need the oil changed I should
wait until about 15% and my dealer which I will have the change done at uses
Synthetic. I think they use mobile 1 but I am not 100% sure on that. So is
there a difference on using Synthetic vs regular oil? Will the car perform
better in terms of more easily reving and picking up speed?

I noticed that right now the car is a little sluggish at lower rpms
especially in slow travel. Once you get the rpms up to 3000 or you are going
40 mph and then step on the gas its another story and the car really goes!
So I am wondering if thats because of the oil from the factory or just
because its the way the car is?

Thanks,
Al

 

I believe it does. But I only like Mobil 1, and can't speak for other
brands.

Could be the way the car's computer is set for rpms that you are
experiencing.

But it could help with some good oil in there, as I always experienced a
change in the way my motors ran with Mobil 1.

Peace,
Polfus

 

[snipped]

An automobile engine is not a motor.

 

Actually, it is.



mo·tor (m.'t.r) pronunciation
n.

1. Something, such as a machine or an engine, that produces or imparts
motion.
2. A device that converts any form of energy into mechanical energy,
especially an internal-combustion engine or an arrangement of coils and
magnets that converts electric current into mechanical power.
3. A motor vehicle, especially an automobile: .It was a night of lovers.
All along the highway . motors were parked and dim figures were clasped in
revery. (Sinclair Lewis).

 

Now that we have that out of the way we can continue with this tread about
benefits of Synthetic Oil.

I'm just wondering if there is a performance benefit in terms of letting the
car rev more freely?

Al

 

"alfred" wrote

Tread? Now you want to talk about tires, not oil! OH, wait -- tires are made
with oil.... never mind.

;-)

 

Thank you, AZ.

Peace,
Polfus

 

Heh

 

That may be one of the weirdest things I have ever read.

Peace,
Polfus

 

doesn't benefit revs, but there are benefits to synthetic. these
include better chemical stability, lower ash, slightly better lubricity
[with consequent slightly better fuel economy], better thermal
stability, etc. wikipedia has an article on it that contains some
useful information, but it tends to be vandalized quite often, so refer
to the page over several weeks to get an idea of average consensus.

 

Yours is a 4 cyl with AT transmission, no?

My 1989 Accord (242K miles and still running strong) does the same.
Slugglish acceleration through the gears, but after the torque
converter has locked up, i have to hold on to my seat cause it seems
the car is possessed by demons!!!

Honda Accord is a unique character while other mades are all the
same.

i've driven Honda, Buick, Ford, VW, Mazda, Toyota and i do think
Accords are somewhat unsuitale for city driving, But if i have to take
one to interstate travel, i'll take a Honda everytime

oh by the way, Castrol Syntec 5W-20 works best for mine

 

When I first started using Mobil 1 synthetic, nearly 20 years ago, I
was able to measure a gain in mpg over conventional oil in my 1.6 I4
Honda engine. A few years ago I switched over an Accord at 15,000
miles and did not notice a significant mpg gain. There may have been a
gain but it could have been masked by season changes in fuel blend and/
or cold weather fuel consumption change. The point being that current
conventional oil is pretty darn good compared with current synthetic
offerings.

I continue to use synthetic for its superior thermal and chemical
stability that allows me to extend my oil change interval.

 

let me guess, you're not using honda z1 atf, just ordinary dexron atf,
right? typical symptom. believe it or not, if you change back to the
honda fluid, your transmission will become smooth again.

 

it may also be that "synthetic" isn't what it once was. today, most
brands seem to be just highly refined conventional base oils - the
oilcos are highly reluctant to reveal content to consumers [somewhat odd
considering that their formulations are analyzable by other oilcos, so
it's not like they can protect a trade secret by being so coy].

afaict, the only synthetic that boasts about what its base oil actually
is, is motul - they use an ester-based formulation like genuine jet
lubes. others claim to be based on 1-decene, but give no idea of
proportions. mobil 1 claims a 50% difference in "supersyn" content
between standard and high mileage formulations - something clearly
impossible if "supersyn" is the real synthetic and standard formulation
truly is supposed to be this synthetic base.

bottom line, this whole subject is a murky pool of slime. suspicion and
distrust will always be a buying decision factor if the vendor won't say
what their product contains.

 

Holy crap! Thats amazing!

Peace,
Polfus

 

Hey...thats wild. Im gonna remember that...thanks.

Peace,
Polfus

 

Good points.

Peace,
Polfus

 

You are easily amused... this milleage is not unusuall.
I drive toyota camry 4-cyl 1995 with 238k miles on the odometer.

 

In other words, "marketing to stupid people".