What is the best synthetic oil?

WarmAndSCSI · 07-25-2010, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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! · 07-25-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

tranceformer · 07-25-2010, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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??

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

WarmAndSCSI · 07-25-2010, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

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