I'm running a low mileage (16,000 miles) '99 Cirrus. A-1 condition. I've done two oil changes since I've had it. I used a synthetic blend. Is my money well spent? Should I be using regular oil (keep that stack of extra money in pocket), the blend I've been using, or should I spend even more and use straight synthetic.

Any advantages/disadvantages to any of them? Am I just wasting the dough or would there be some advantage to spending even more on the synthetic?

Any knowledge would be greatly appreciated!

 

well first of all i really dont care what people or motor oil peole say every 8000 miles u change your oil there should have been 2 more in there with no more then 4000 between each change.

 

But you misinterpret AND I mis-speak. We got it used at 16,000 km (9760 miles) - I mis-spoke. It is now up to 27000 km (16,470 miles). "We" have only put ~7,000 miles on it. (With due respect, you assumed all the mileage was ours.) I've not missed a beat BUT the decision is, still, which variant of engine lubricator

 

There are as many opinions as there are people, about what oil to use. Personally, I use nothing but Amsoil in everything. In my opinion, if you have a cheap engine, then use cheap oil.

 

Thanks, Tarbaby, for your useful reply!

 

moe in wichita ks

the most important thing about oil is to have lots of zinc in the oil. i have done some searching on the internet on oil, filters, additives. i like to have oil as thick as i can and it still start in cold. so here is what i use, 2001 dak v6. valoline premium blue 15w-40 oil. purolator pl14670 pure one filter, use only a pure one filter that is shown by the p in the part no. then you need to go to zddplus.com site and get some zinc from them. my truck starts ok in the winter, but we normaly dont get below 0 f.
i did have trouble with 20-50 not wanting to turn over in the winter.

 

Synthetic blends are just that, blends. No telling how much "blend" tho. Save your money and change with your favoriteconventional oil at proper intervals stated in the manual. The only true synthetics are Amsoil and Mobil 1. I would not put a synthetic into an engine until the engine has time to break in. Synthetic oil will not allow a low millage vehicle like yours to break in properly. If the manufacturer says that synthetic oil can be put in at any millage, then do so with Amsoil or Mobil 1. They both will enhance fuel economy, longevity of the motor, startablity in cold weather will be absolutely improved, the engine will be much quieter, and last, with a synthetic, you will not have to change the oil as much as a conventional oil.