how to tell if Synthetic oil was put into my car

[bobor]

I took my car in for an oil change at Costco and requested synthetic oil. When the car was up on the hoist the guy came back and wanted to make sure I had asked for synthetic because owners with cars as old as mine rarely ask for it and he 'almost' used the regular type (my cars a 2000)

This got me to thinking: how can one tell if synthetic is actually put into your car when you ask for it? What's to stop an unscrupulous garage or confused high school kid from putting in regular oil and then charging a premium for it? Any rules of thumb to determine if synthetic oil was used?

[bembol]

I don't know but this one of the reasons why I DIY.

[AGR-1]

Synthetic motor oil is "slipperyer" than oil from crude, if its synthetic it will feel slipperyer".

An why would you put synthetic in an older car that will run just fine with regular oil? Are you going to go double the distance on the synthetic oil change compared to a regular oil change...the only way you will recoup the added cost.

[Pete_Coach]

Synthetic motor oil is "slipperyer" than oil from crude, if its synthetic it will feel slipperyer".

An why would you put synthetic in an older car that will run just fine with regular oil? Are you going to go double the distance on the synthetic oil change compared to a regular oil change...the only way you will recoup the added cost.

Are you kidding? I certainly hope so.:lol:
In fact, without analysis, there is really no way to tell what you have in the crankcase.

[LoveRFD]

Just go to a reputable garage to do the oil change.

[Tommy74]

Synthetic motor oil is "slipperyer" than oil from crude, if its synthetic it will feel slipperyer".

An why would you put synthetic in an older car that will run just fine with regular oil? Are you going to go double the distance on the synthetic oil change compared to a regular oil change...the only way you will recoup the added cost.

What added cost are you talking about??? A box of Castrol Syntec (6x 1L bottle) was on sale at Costco for $30. Go to Canadian Tire and check how much is good high millage (for cars over 120,000km) oil there. I use synthetic in my older car too - with good quality filter (K&N)- I change oil every 10000km, add to this lower gas consumption ( really noticeable now when it's cold),easier winter start-ups ( because it's "slipperyer":cheesygri) and there is nothing to "recoup" for me. You must be one of those who still believe, that putting synthetic oil in older engine will kill it, you will be burning oil like crazy etc. those myths were proved wrong long time ago...

There is no way you can tell the difference between synthetic and mineral oil after they put it in the engine. Do your own oil changes from now...

[AGR-1]

@Pete_Coach

How would you tell? You would send a sample to get analysed?

@Tommy74

Glad that you answered the question, you do 10,000 klms on synthetic before an oil change.

[Tommy74]

@Pete_Coach

How would you tell? You would send a sample to get analysed?

@Tommy74

Glad that you answered the question, you do 10,000 klms on synthetic before an oil change.

no I do 10,000 km:)

According to Owner's Manual for my other car (synthetic oil from factory) - recommended oil changes are !5,000km or one year whatever comes first... But that's manufacturer's recommendation - I change it every 10K or 5 months - $45 for synthetic oil change is not a fortune....

[jetway1212]

Synthetic motor oil is "slipperyer" than oil from crude, if its synthetic it will feel slipperyer".

An why would you put synthetic in an older car that will run just fine with regular oil? Are you going to go double the distance on the synthetic oil change compared to a regular oil change...the only way you will recoup the added cost.

Is this a joke? LOL Thanks for the laugh anyway.

[samm]

Anyways, +1 for DIY. Since I don't have the equipment, I usually bring my own synthetic oil to a garage and have them change it for me. I'm usually right there when they change it, so I am reassured.

[l69norm]

...This got me to thinking: how can one tell if synthetic is actually put into your car when you ask for it? What's to stop an unscrupulous garage or confused high school kid from putting in regular oil and then charging a premium for it? Any rules of thumb to determine if synthetic oil was used?

You can drain/suck out about 10 mL and place into a freezer over night. In the morning, see how easy it pours.

If it pours like molasses, then it's regular oil.

If it pours like water/syrup, then it's synthetic oil.

[Disada]

no I do 10,000 km:)

According to Owner's Manual for my other car (synthetic oil from factory) - recommended oil changes are !5,000km or one year whatever comes first...

Conventional oil is pretty good nowadays. Honda recommends 8,000km oil change intervals (severe conditions) using conventional 5w20. I assume you could do a 15,000km interval no problem (although you should do a used oil analysis to be safe).

[liorsyncro]

HA! I do 10k at times without synthetic. I would think with quality synthetic you should be able to get at least 15 or 20k per oil change. With BMW apparently you can get 20k. 10k is for dino.

[-=phelan=-]

if i'm not mistaken, group 5 synthetic oil like royal purple or motul will have a fruity type of smell to it when you first open the bottle.

as for oil changes, it kinda of depends on what vehicle you drive and how hard you drive it etc. Also what affects it is, is the car natural aspirated, turboed or supercharged as it affects the wear on the engine . Cuz on my supercharged car, man thing just turns oil black @ 5k easy even when i'm using RP or Motul on it.

[TenzoR]

HA! I do 10k at times without synthetic. I would think with quality synthetic you should be able to get at least 15 or 20k per oil change. With BMW apparently you can get 20k. 10k is for dino.

25,000km is for BMW running on their LL01 approved synthetic oil

[Pete_Coach]

@Pete_Coach

How would you tell? You would send a sample to get analysed?

@Tommy74

Glad that you answered the question, you do 10,000 klms on synthetic before an oil change.
No, I would not get it analyzed. The cost of analysis is more than the coa=t of an oil change.
Regardless if you have synthetic or regular oil, don't fret it. The vehicle manufacturer says to change the oil and filter at a specific interval, regardless of what type of oil is in there. Even the synthetic oil manufacturers will tell you to change the oil at the vehicle OEM interval.
The superior lubrication proprieties of synthetic lubricants was and never is in doubt. The problem with any lubricant is not so much loss of lubricating ability but that dirt has contaminated the oil and the filter may not be capable of properly filtering the dirt out so, the OEM has decided to replace the oil and filter at an interval that is less apt to cause any damage to the engine. The dirt and contamination and condemnation is equal in synthetic and regular oil.


You can drain/suck out about 10 mL and place into a freezer over night. In the morning, see how easy it pours.

If it pours like molasses, then it's regular oil.

If it pours like water/syrup, then it's synthetic oil.

Perhaps this is easy for an experienced technician/mechanic to ascertain but it is certainly not a test I would trust my engine to if I was just a average person

[rdtx2002]

I took my car in for an oil change at Costco and requested synthetic oil. When the car was up on the hoist the guy came back and wanted to make sure I had asked for synthetic because owners with cars as old as mine rarely ask for it and he 'almost' used the regular type (my cars a 2000)

This got me to thinking: how can one tell if synthetic is actually put into your car when you ask for it? What's to stop an unscrupulous garage or confused high school kid from putting in regular oil and then charging a premium for it? Any rules of thumb to determine if synthetic oil was used?

i would be more worried whether they replaced your oil filter rather than whether or not synthetic was put in.

[deuce]

synthetic oil has an additive for this very purpose. if you put a drop on your tongue, itll have a fruity flavour. castrol uses orange, i think valvoline is grape, they all use something different.
just pull out the dipstick and give it a lick. dont wait too long though, the flavouring degrades the more you use it.

[ES_Revenge]

synthetic oil has an additive for this very purpose. if you put a drop on your tongue, itll have a fruity flavour. castrol uses orange, i think valvoline is grape, they all use something different.
just pull out the dipstick and give it a lick. dont wait too long though, the flavouring degrades the more you use it.

Awww man you beat me to it, I was just about to post the same thing but with cola and root beer, LOL. :lol:





Note if anyone hasn't clued in yet: Do NOT actually do this. Seriously you will not know what they put in unless you watched them pour or have a chemical analysis done after the fact.

[AGR-1]

....and petroleum motor oil has the long established Jack Daniels initial flavor/taste.

One is "slipperyer" the other tastes like Jack Daniels....