Mineral or Synthetic Oil?

[jarpickle]

Hi,

I have recently purchased liva diesel. It's got 4000kms on the odometer.
Can I shift to synthetic oil? The primary reason for doing so is to reduce the engine noise.
If I can change to synthetic, which is the recommended oil for liva diesel?

If you want to reduce engine sound, go for a higher viscosity oil as mentioned in your manual.

The manual will have suggestions based on atmospheric temperature of the area where the car is used.Find one that is suitable to the temperature range in your area.

 

[rafian]

Should I use Synthetic oil?

Dear TAI Members,

I would like to know:
- How many of you use 100% synthetic oil in your engines?
- What grade?
- Do you see any difference in performance compared to mineral oil?

I've used to use synthetic oils in all my cars but that was primarily to ensure that my engines perform well in extreme weather conditions. Luckily weather is pretty stable where I live now (Bangalore) so I don't bother. Perhaps your experiences could bring about some new learning.

Thanks.

 

[Aromal]

Re: Should I use Synthetic oil?

I have used all kinds of oils in my car. The choice of oil type depends on the budget & oil change interval we look for. Synthetic oils offer more protection to engine components with good lubricating properties, less sludge built up, wide viscosity grade led to flexible combination of high & low temperature protection etc & long drainage period, Many German car manufactures recommend drainage interval as high as 20,000 km.
Unlike old days Multi grade engine oils now on use are good for all kinds of weather. Usage of single grade oils are limited to machines ruining on low temperature, pressure, higher clearence between mating parts, low speed & stationary engines.

I still love the mineral oil for its flexibly to use variety of additives, low changing intervals & low cost,(Mine is an old Gen Engine). Recent studies shows new Synthetic oils are responsible for the failure of engine components of Old Engines.
The higher clearence levels of old gen engines can't be satisfactory lubricated by new thin synthetic oils. They simply fail in Fluid Filim formation between mating parts.

As per as new engines are concern Synthetic oils are better in every ways. But as per latest trend Manufactures are recommending thinner oils whether its in the case of synthetic, semi synthetic or mineral oils. Thinner oils are good for better milage & power (less frictional loss from HP) but What they are trying to implement is bad for the engine in Long term.
Thinner oils when mixed with impurities & dust particles will fail to form satisfactory filim formation & lack of proper lubrication.

I recommend my friend 10W30 oil instead of 5W30(after 80K KM) semi synthetic oil recommended by the manufacturer. Now its time to protect the engine. These are little precautions we can do.
The best thing we can do at least is a warm up of car for 2 minutes No matter its petrol, diesel, Turbo N/A under the hood.

 

[rafian]

Re: Should I use Synthetic oil?

I have used all kinds of oils in my car. The choice of oil type depends on the budget & oil change interval we look for. Synthetic oils offer more protection to engine components with good lubricating properties, less sludge built up, wide viscosity grade led to flexible combination of high & low temperature protection etc & long drainage period, Many German car manufactures recommend drainage interval as high as 20,000 km.
Unlike old days Multi grade engine oils now on use are good for all kinds of weather. Usage of single grade oils are limited to machines ruining on low temperature, pressure, higher clearence between mating parts, low speed & stationary engines.

I still love the mineral oil for its flexibly to use variety of additives, low changing intervals & low cost,(Mine is an old Gen Engine). Recent studies shows new Synthetic oils are responsible for the failure of engine components of Old Engines.
The higher clearence levels of old gen engines can't be satisfactory lubricated by new thin synthetic oils. They simply fail in Fluid Filim formation between mating parts.

As per as new engines are concern Synthetic oils are better in every ways. But as per latest trend Manufactures are recommending thinner oils whether its in the case of synthetic, semi synthetic or mineral oils. Thinner oils are good for better milage & power (less frictional loss from HP) but What they are trying to implement is bad for the engine in Long term.
Thinner oils when mixed with impurities & dust particles will fail to form satisfactory filim formation & lack of proper lubrication.

I recommend my friend 10W30 oil instead of 5W30(after 80K KM) semi synthetic oil recommended by the manufacturer. Now its time to protect the engine. These are little precautions we can do.
The best thing we can do at least is a warm up of car for 2 minutes No matter its petrol, diesel, Turbo N/A under the hood.

Aromal, thanks a lot for all the info. It is consistent with my understanding. Many years ago I knew a top-notch mechanic who thought that synthetic oil was not worth unless really warranted based on the weather conditions and more importantly manufacturer's recommendation. I remember few instances where manufacturers' would void the warranty if synthetic oil was used. Another problem with synthetic oil is they tend to leak especially on older engines that were designed for mineral oil. I am sure modern engines would do just fine with synthetic oil but it's too expensive to justify the potential advantages.

 

[SankarNarayanan]

Re: Fuel Efficiency Figures of Your Cars

Hi Folks,

I am getting 17-18 KM/L in city driving conditions and 22-23 KM/L in highway driving conditions in my Dzire LDi with 100% AC usage. Is this apt mileage figures for Dzire? I haven't changed engine oil till now and car has completed 5k kms. Initially thought of changing the oil to fully synthetic oil but had to be postponed. Manufacturer recommends changing oil at 12k kms only.

Will changing to fully synthetic oil increase efficiency?

Regards,
Sankar

 

[Sam Dinkar]

Re: Fuel Efficiency Figures of Your Cars

@Sankar: Your Dzire is churning out good fuel efficiency figures. This is as good as it can get. Dont be greedy.

Stick to manufacturer recommended engine oil and oil change interval.

 

[VivekRj.Dieselhead]

Re: Fuel Efficiency Figures of Your Cars

Hi Folks,

I am getting 17-18 KM/L in city driving conditions and 22-23 KM/L in highway driving conditions in my Dzire LDi with 100% AC usage. Is this apt mileage figures for Dzire? I haven't changed engine oil till now and car has completed 5k kms. Initially thought of changing the oil to fully synthetic oil but had to be postponed. Manufacturer recommends changing oil at 12k kms only.

Will changing to fully synthetic oil increase efficiency?

Regards,
Sankar

Don't shift to synthetic till 20-25 k Kms, till then engine would run in properly on normal oil, which will take too much time and Kms in case of synthetic.

 

[jarpickle]

Re: Fuel Efficiency Figures of Your Cars

@Sankar:You could have changed the oil after the first 1000kms.You could still change it now.Oil change is recommended after the initial run in period.Change both the engine and gearbox oil.

There is no need for synthetic unless the car is a daily driver and clocks 100kms a day.

Vivek 20-25000kms is too high a run in period.

 

[SankarNarayanan]

Re: Fuel Efficiency Figures of Your Cars

@Sankar: Your Dzire is churning out good fuel efficiency figures. This is as good as it can get. Dont be greedy.

Stick to manufacturer recommended engine oil and oil change interval.

I am not greedy. It's just that i don't know how much is the FE of Dzire DDis.

Also i have read from multiple reputable magazines that even though Maruthi SUzuki advise oil change only at 12k kms for Dzire the magazines say one needs to change the oil after first 1000 kms and then stick manufacturer recommended time intervals for oil changes. During first 1000kms engine shred small pieces of metal parts due to friction and this stays with oil. So after 1000 km oil should be changed. Is this true? Almost all manufacturers recommend oil changes at 10-15k kms only.

Regards,
Sankar

 

[jarpickle]

Re: Fuel Efficiency Figures of Your Cars

Sankar, you can still change the oil at 5000kms.

The oil changes make the cost of owning a car higher.No manufacturer wants that.On the other hand any informed auto enthusiast will change the oil at the 1000kms and then ever 5000kms.

With this in mind, you can stick with mineral oil and change the oil and filter every 5000kms.Same goes for the gearbox.

 

[SankarNarayanan]

Re: Fuel Efficiency Figures of Your Cars

Don't shift to synthetic till 20-25 k Kms, till then engine would run in properly on normal oil, which will take too much time and Kms in case of synthetic.

Don't you think 20-25k kms is a bit too high for running in period?

@Sankar:You could have changed the oil after the first 1000kms.You could still change it now.Oil change is recommended after the initial run in period.Change both the engine and gearbox oil.

There is no need for synthetic unless the car is a daily driver and clocks 100kms a day.

Vivek 20-25000kms is too high a run in period.

I only read about this couple of days back. Will this affect FE? Currently my car gives stable FE.

Sankar, you can still change the oil at 5000kms.

The oil changes make the cost of owning a car higher.No manufacturer wants that.On the other hand any informed auto enthusiast will change the oil at the 1000kms and then ever 5000kms.

With this in mind, you can stick with mineral oil and change the oil and filter every 5000kms.Same goes for the gearbox.

So i should change engine oil and gearbox oil now then change them at every 5k interval right? Is changing gearbox oil a tedious and technical process? Should i change them at MASS or can it be performed at local workshops?

Regards,
Sankar

 

[jarpickle]

Re: Fuel Efficiency Figures of Your Cars

You can change the engine and gearbox oil locally, just make sure they have the necessary tools.Some places damage the engine oil filter while fitting it,for the lack of the proper tools.

The benefit of changing the oil at a MASS is you can have it recorded in your service history.This is helpful in case of a warranty claim later on and also while selling the car.

Just make sure you use the grade of oil as specified in your car's owner manual.Try to get an oil based on the climatic conditions in your area.Not too thin and not too thick.

 

[VivekRj.Dieselhead]

Re: Fuel Efficiency Figures of Your Cars

@Sankar:You could have changed the oil after the first 1000kms.You could still change it now.Oil change is recommended after the initial run in period.Change both the engine and gearbox oil.

There is no need for synthetic unless the car is a daily driver and clocks 100kms a day.

Vivek 20-25000kms is too high a run in period.

Actually i have seen people claiming changes in engine behavior even after 60k, while talking about diesel cars. It's said that diesel engines gets better with climbing odo readings. But till 25k most of the parts in a diesel engine would settle down, that's why recommending to shift to synthetic oil after 25k. Though no offences buddy.

 

[SankarNarayanan]

Re: Fuel Efficiency Figures of Your Cars

Actually i have seen people claiming changes in engine behavior even after 60k, while talking about diesel cars. It's said that diesel engines gets better with climbing odo readings. But till 25k most of the parts in a diesel engine would settle down, that's why recommending to shift to synthetic oil after 25k. Though no offences buddy.

None taken Buddy. I have seen people changing to Synthetic once they have completed running-in period. But i am confused on this.

Regards,
Sankar

 

[jarpickle]

Re: Fuel Efficiency Figures of Your Cars

If you want the exact run in period you should contact the manufacturer.Most cars, diesel and petrol alike need to be run in for 1000-2000kms.

Why do you want to go for synthetic?Do you do 100kms per day?If yes, then switch to synthetic.

If not stay with mineral oil.Change every 5000kms.