Team-BHP - ARTICLE: Synthetic oil vs Mineral oil

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawyer (Post 3901381)

IMO it is just marketing to justify a higher price point, but I am open to correction..

I would add just one word to the above sentence to make it even more accurate - marketing fluff!

I have always believed that for our vehicles, sticking to mineral oil serves the purpose just fine. If you can afford synthetic, then by all means go for it.

But people wholeheartedly endorsing the semi-synth spiel is what gets my goat.

Anyway, I am no oil Guru and to each his/her own I guess. :)

Cheers,
Vikram

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gansan (Post 3901519)

That being the case, is it safer to remain with the recommended MGO 20W 40 than opt for any synthetic oil, where this difference is the highest - even 5W 40 in some cases?

But the API grade is lowest for the former and highest for the latter.

Yes, as long as you are meeting the API grade spec recommended by the maker and the oil is genuine. And as long as you are meeting the change schedule, I am pretty sure it must be 6 months/5000 kms in this case.

Or more correctly, it is as safe as opting for a genuine 5W40 and is definitely cheaper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by comfortablynumb (Post 3901530)

If you can afford synthetic, then by all means go for it.

Right; it is like taking expensive food supplements. The genuine ones won't do you any harm, but making you feel good about taking them might extend your lifespan.

What I find amusing is people taking more care of their engines but merrily eating junk food. And also not using the car/engine for the significantly additional life that in theory the synthetic oil confers on it, but selling the car much before the longevity expiry of even a car on a regular oil diet.

I suppose it is the "hobby/enthusiast" syndrome. Harmless waste of money as long as the oil is genuine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawyer (Post 3901550)

I am pretty sure it must be 6 months/5000 kms in this case.

Actually one year or 10,000 KM whichever is earlier, for the MGO. As per the owner's manual.

The service engineers at the MASS say we have to follow this schedule even if we fill Mobil 1, which they also sell.

No service engineer will give you permission to extend the recommended change schedules; nor would any maker, without extensive in house testing. Sensible approach.

MASS selling Mobil is news to me, I doubt this is common practice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawyer (Post 3901709)

MASS selling Mobil is news to me, I doubt this is common practice.

This MASS is directly owned by Maruti (Maruti Service Masters), so I suppose any other MASS as well must be selling it. They are actually using their MGO 5W 30 across all cars -though it is recommended for only the latest K series engines - so if we want neither, we have to carry our own oil. I always take Shell HX-7 with me for this reason.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gansan (Post 3901751)

The dealership workshops here have overhead lines with dispenser serving different grades of Castrol. However at my MASS, they have following products for Petrol cars, all branded MGO
1. 20W40 Shell SF Grade oil
2. 5W30 Servo
3. 5W30 Castrol
4. 5W30 Shell
5. 0W20 Mobil1 Fully Synth
6. 0W40 Mobil1 Fully Synth

It's upto the customer to choose which one they wish to use.

I have also seen some MASS using only 5W30 grade oils even for older F series motors. :Frustrati

I personally take my own oil now for my M800(Castrol Magnatec or Shell HX7 in 10W40 grade).

Regards,
Shashi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leoshashi (Post 3901814)

The dealership workshops here have overhead lines with dispenser serving different grades of Castrol. However at my MASS, they have following products for Petrol cars, all branded MGO

It's upto the customer to choose which one they wish to use.

I have also seen some MASS using only 5W30 grade oils even for older F series motors. :Frustrati

I personally take my own oil now for my M800(Castrol Magnatec or Shell HX7 in 10W40 grade).

Regards,
Shashi

That is right, the oil is exactly metered and dispensed through overhead nozzles. But they do use a standard MGO which is 5W 30, sourced from Shell. When I questioned it's use for F series engines, they showed a circular from Maruti approving the use across all cars. I am taking the HX-7 for my own satisfaction. Btw Shell stations stock the 20W 40 MGO in 3 litre cans for our convenience, very economical!

Quote:

Originally Posted by straight6 (Post 3901308)

I will know the price tomorrow

Motul 75W90 is about RS 600-650/lt and not easily available. I am not sure spending Rs 1900 is worth for Motul. Servo 75W90 might be good enough!

Quote:

Originally Posted by khoj (Post 3901356)

The absence of any colour or the presence of it has nothing to do with 'quality' of any oil

I am not sure but was told by Caltex rep that the lighter the oil in color the better it is since it has fewer contaminants. He mentioned they use very high quality base oils!

We should definitely use the correct recommended oils. 75W is lower in viscosity as compared to 80W gear oil so it should be used. See the attached chart.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerohit (Post 3902133)

Unable to find 10W-30 Shell HX5 anywhere online (API SN)

Try to buy it from the nearest distributor/dealer in your city. Which city are you in?

The most commonly stocked grade is 15W-40, not 5W-30. So do call them to inquire.

Quote:

Originally Posted by heysac (Post 3902010)

Motul 75W90 is about RS 600-650/lt and not easily available. I am not sure spending Rs 1900 is worth for Motul. Servo 75W90 might be good enough!

I'm getting it for 568 a liter. I don't see Servo oils at pumps these days. I asked at one pump just now and he said they don't keep much now.