Date:         Fri, 12 Feb 1999 10:13:11 -0600
Reply-To:     Fred Younger <fyounger@AMFAM.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Fred Younger <fyounger@AMFAM.COM>
Organization: American Family Insurance
Subject:      Re: Synthetic Oil Question
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Brian Doss wrote:
>
> I've been reading the posts about synthetic oil. I'm thinking about trying it
> out, but to be honest, I'm not sure why. Obviously allot of you good folks
> think it's the best thing since Erin Gray's second season on Buck Rogers.
> Anyway...How often do you change this stuff? Every 3K? Is there any short term
> economic difference?

I use synthetic because I'm hoping to make the motor last longer.  I
change it at intervals of 5000-7500 miles, or when the weather
dictates.  I use 15w-50 in spring/summer/fall and will probably use
10w-30 next winter.  I live in Wisconsin so a lighter winter oil
is appropriate.  I used 0w-30 this winter but I think it's too light.
The first winter I owned the van I stayed with 15w-50 but the motor
turned over quite slowly on some sub-zero (F) mornings.

The PO used 20w-50 dino oil.  He didn't drive the van in winter.

Some have advocated changing the filter at 3k, with a longer interval
for the oil change.  This sounds like a good idea and I may adopt it.

----------
Fred Younger
91 GL with 62k miles (PO didn't drive it much).