What is the best synthetic oil?

TROOPER

Isn't Ester oil actual a blend and not full synthetic, and the same with Mobil 1 since you mentioned it..!!

So since I've just turned 2000 miles on my car, should I go for a FULL synthetic oil?

__________________
Darren
"Guv Motors Passion Wagon"

WarmAndSCSI

Yes, kind of what I covered above.

It doesn't matter for Mobil 1; for all intents and purposes Group III-based oils perform identically to Group IV oils. In fact, many weights of Mobil 1 contain a large percentage of Group IV oil, making them true synthetics. 5W-30, however, contains mostly hydrocracked dinosaur oil, so it is not a "true" synthetic and would be considered a synthetic blend in any country but the US.

If you're not consuming any significant amount of oil (i.e. you haven't consumed more than half a quart over those 2000 miles), you're safe to switch to a synthetic. Otherwise, wait it out until oil consumption ceases.

__________________

Jordo!

That's an interesting idea -- I hadn't thought of that as an indicator of a completed break-in, but it makes sense.

I consumed pretty much exactly 1/2 a qt of oil during the first 3.75 K, assuming I don't see any oil consumption over the next 3.75, I should go to synthetic on my second oil change -- otherwise wait longer?

__________________
Enjoy it. Destroy it.

WarmAndSCSI

Yep, you were fine to go synthetic after that first 3750. I saw 1/3 quart consumption (maybe) over the first 2000 miles on our Z; we switched to the Castrol 0W-30 at 2100. I'll report back with a UOA and oil consumption report at roughly 6000 miles.

I do have to note, however, that the 0W-30 (which is indeed a thick oil) still gets us 30+ mpg on the highway. 33-34 mpg just cruising at 65 mph (speed limit here). Pretty impressive for such an engine.

__________________

Jordo!

Cool -- very much looking forward to the oil analysis, as I am planning on switching to this oil next based on your recommendation --which, BTW, is consistent with the wear mean UOA data in the oil nerd's thread (it showed among the lowest wear!). Be interesting to compare your findings to those data as well.

__________________
Enjoy it. Destroy it.

tranceformer

It is indeed a thick oil for a 30 weight oil. It was definitely heavier than the 5w30 castrol syntec I used before. The UOA looked good, I needed a thicker oil for the 90+ degree heat down here in south Florida.

and how the heck did you manage 30+ mpg??

I'd recommend it as well. I'm on my second fill of that oil, I just got the UOA of the first fill. 4200 miles of 75% highway / 25% city and dozens of passes at the drag strip and it was looking pretty good.

__________________
Ray
2009 370Z Base Sport 6MT / 12.860 @ 109.09mph / 1.921 60ft / street tires
official 1/4 mile track times

WarmAndSCSI

It could be the altitude or the car might just be a factory freak. Computer reported 31.8 mpg average after a ~90 mile leisurely highway canyon trip the other day. That was also with about 10-15 city miles thrown in there. That and the low oil consumption both let me know this engine is healthy.

Awesome on the oil analysis - ours should be really clean since the Z really doesn't see that much action being my wife's car. I think I can be confident leaving it in for 5000-6000 miles based on your usage and UOA.

__________________