Date:         Fri, 26 Aug 2005 16:38:59 -0400
Reply-To:     Tom Miller <tmiller@VCMAILS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tom Miller <tmiller@VCMAILS.COM>
Subject:      changing to synthetic oil - was STUPID QUESTION?
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The reason one gets better fuel economy with a synthetic is that the
internal friction of the oil is lower.  It flows easier.  As a result, all
the bearing surfaces spin easier since they have less drag on them.  The
dino oils have long molecular chains that increase internal friction.  Those
same long chains are easily broken which reduces the oils overall viscosity
as you drive.  The chains are much shorter in synthetic oils and thus more
resistant to a force known as "shear" which is what tears the chains apart.
Fuel economy improvements of 10% in V8 engines, 5-7% in V6 engines, and 2-4%
in 4 cylinder engines is not uncommon.  Two things -use less gasoline or
diesel, and engine life extended.  Those more than pay for the higher price
of synlubes and we haven't even touched on long drain intervals yet.  My new
2005.5 Jetta TDI is required to use synthetic oil and I must change it at
10,000 mile intervals.
TEMiller
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Bohannan" <fjazzbass@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 9:08 AM
Subject: Re: changing to synthetic oil - was STUPID QUESTION?


I have also been told by my friend that he has seen better fuel
efficiency with his newer Dodge truck when switching to Synthetic
oils...

I don't see the logic because as mentioned before, viscocity is viscocity...

Realistically, the benefit of synth was to improve the length of time
it held that viscocity without breaking down...that said, I will use
Dino oil and change it more frequently and still save money...I've
read many articles, and one specifically posted out here (check the
archives) that said it was almost like flushing money...I think the
one article was based on using it in a motorcycle...the similarity in
high RPM is there, but certainly no similarity in our motors pulling
much higher relative load...

Why are we discussing this again? But then again, here I am weighing in ha!

Dave in Central FL that missed Katrina
85 GL "Baby Bus"
85 "Name Game"
80 something maybe soon...
93 Ford Van
85 Pace Arrow motorhom soon to become extinct because of gas mileage...