Re: Switching To Synthetics
I have been an oil nut since a teenager. I have paid close attention to the subject my entire life (currently retired).
When Mobil 1 first came out I didn't jump on the bandwagon as I thought it to be another high-priced gimmic, but I did start paying attention to the oil and the subject of synthetics.
Years later, and many years past, I am a 100% synthetic user; that means in everything.
I use Merc's synthetic oil in my 2 cycle OB and it does all the things mentioned except smell; I smell more of my Sea Foam than anything else. Not mentioned is the fact that my plugs stay clean.
I like it it lawnmowers because of it's high heat tolerance and I can change it once per season and still have honey colored oil at the end of the season....no way with paraffin oils.
I like it in my 2 Dodge trucks because I can change it once per year and still have oil that is light brown without the brown sludge that I used to get with paraffin oils changed at 3000 to 5000 mi. intervals. I do live in a rural area and usually have less than 10,000 miles on an oil change; so this habit of mine probably doesn't apply to urban dwellers who make many short trips around town or sit in bumper to bumper traffic with the AC running. I know what the owners manual says, but these vehicles are built to be driven any place in the world and only have one, make that 2, oil change recommendations based upon light or heavy duty applications. So obviously specific usage doesn't necessarily fit the general recommendations.
I use it in my Cummins powered diesel farm tractor (the diesel syn, primarily Rotella T 5w-40) and I can still maintain light brown oil at the 300 hr. recommended oil change, rather than the black goo I used to get (in other tractors) with paraffins. I called Cummins and asked about it and they gave it high marks.
So there's my 2c.
Mark
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