Should have listened...synth made NO difference!

[flinter]

Hi,

At 39700 miles on my MINT 2005 Hyundai Elantra GLS sedan, I decided to switch over to synthetic and used Pennzoil Platinum
5W-30, with the OEM Hyundai oil filter.
Well, after 2 weeks now I can report that there is absolutely
NO improvement in mileage whatsoever.

I should have listened to you guys who told me this would be
a waste of money. Since 5 miles on my Elantra, I have been using
Motorcraft Syn Blend 5W-30, with the OEM filter and doing 5000
oil changes faithfully. Is has been working perfectly for the
engine, as it is SUPER smooth and quiet.

I guess I will just run the Pennzoil I have for 6000 miles, than switch back to the MC and save my money.

Synthetics seem to be REALLY overrated...at least in my case!

 

[spasm3]

Synthetics are better for extremes. Extreme low temps, high temps. towing etc. Extremely long oci's. If you do none of these then a good dino is all you need, unless you just like using them. ( i do).

 

[Ken42]

I have the same car.
What kind of driving do you do?
Ken

 

[Pablo]

No one actually claims synthetic oil straight over increases MPG.

You may see a tiny gain if going from 10W-30 to 0W-30, and going to synthetic lubricants throughout the entire driveline, especially in colder climates.

"REALLY overrated"? The only measure being your MPG after 2 weeks, that's not exactly a controlled evaluation.

 

[stenerson]

Originally Posted By: flinter
Hi,

At 39700 miles on my MINT 2005 Hyundai Elantra GLS sedan, I decided to switch over to synthetic and used Pennzoil Platinum
5W-30, with the OEM Hyundai oil filter.
Well, after 2 weeks now I can report that there is absolutely
NO improvement in mileage whatsoever.

I should have listened to you guys who told me this would be
a waste of money. Since 5 miles on my Elantra, I have been using
Motorcraft Syn Blend 5W-30, with the OEM filter and doing 5000
oil changes faithfully. Is has been working perfectly for the
engine, as it is SUPER smooth and quiet.

I guess I will just run the Pennzoil I have for 6000 miles, than switch back to the MC and save my money.

Synthetics seem to be REALLY overrated...at least in my case!


Do the makers of PP claim you'll get significantly better mileage?

 

[flinter]

My driving in NOT city and NOT highway. its mostly driving in
the suburbs of central NJ. 9 miles on way to work with really no
traffic to speak of and average stop and go at 3 lights.

RARELY do I drive on highways and interstates, maybe 2 , 3 times
a month. I am a VERY easy, conservative driver with a feather touch on brake ans accelerator.

With 39,700 miles, I still have about 15, 000 miles on life left
on the front pads.

 

[gfh77665]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
No one actually claims synthetic oil straight over increases MPG.


Correct! How on earth does the OP label syns a failure because of MPG's?

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
No one actually claims synthetic oil straight over increases MPG.

You may see a tiny gain if going from 10W-30 to 0W-30, and going to synthetic lubricants throughout the entire driveline, especially in colder climates.

"REALLY overrated"? The only measure being your MPG after 2 weeks, that's not exactly a controlled evaluation.


I agree.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I use them just to keep my engine`s internals clean. I just feel a clean engine will last longer/run better longer.

 

[flinter]

I understand what you are saying.

I just dont see the real benefit for my case. Seems the
Motorcraft Syn Blend 5W-30 was providing EXCELLENT protection
and any possible gains with synthetic would be so minor to
justify the switch and extra cost with synthetic.

Especially with my 5000 OCI schedule I have doing doing since
day one.

 

[Brons2]

try 5w20 if you are looking for better mileage. The 2006+ Huyndai/Kia cars with the 2.0 CVVT "Beta" engine allow 5w20. Yours is an 05 but I doubt it would make a difference, of course you can call Hyundai and see if it's back-spec'ed.

 

[Trav]

What did you expect? You went from a 5w-30 syn blend to
a 5w-30 synthetic.No improvement could be expected.
If you went from a 15w-40 to a 5w-30 or 0w-30 then maybe you could expect a slight difference.

At 5K OCI i don't think i would bother changing from a brand that works well for another of the same weight.

 

[stenerson]

Originally Posted By: flinter
I understand what you are saying.

I just dont see the real benefit for my case. Seems the
Motorcraft Syn Blend 5W-30 was providing EXCELLENT protection
and any possible gains with synthetic would be so minor to
justify the switch and extra cost with synthetic.

Especially with my 5000 OCI schedule I have doing doing since
day one.


Exactly! The fact that it may be overkill for some does not
make it over rated. In my case it does a great job of going
many miles while keeping the engine very clean. Makes me
feel a little better when towing and hauling too.

 

[flinter]

Thanks Brons2

Yes, my 2005 manual states to use EITHER 5W-20, OR 5W-30.
But my mechanic tells he really does not yet trust 5W 20
weight and feels it does not provide as much protection as 5W-30.

But that is just one man's opinion, I realize that.

 

[Ken42]

When was the last time you changed your air filter?
My 05 manual says 5w20 for all temp ranges.

 

[flinter]

Air filter changed EVERY 15000 miles!

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: stenerson
Originally Posted By: flinter
I understand what you are saying.

I just dont see the real benefit for my case. Seems the
Motorcraft Syn Blend 5W-30 was providing EXCELLENT protection
and any possible gains with synthetic would be so minor to
justify the switch and extra cost with synthetic.

Especially with my 5000 OCI schedule I have doing doing since
day one.


Exactly! The fact that it may be overkill for some does not
make it over rated. In my case it does a great job of going
many miles while keeping the engine very clean. Makes me
feel a little better when towing and hauling too.


I agree, sometimes insurance against the unexpected is worth the extra cash. Like a broken fan belt causing overheating, just one example. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[electrolover]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I use them just to keep my engine`s internals clean. I just feel a clean engine will last longer/run better longer.


+1 synthetics offer unsurpassed cleaning and remarkable anti-wear properties. you spend more for a better lube and thts what you got. no more griping

 

[JHZR2]

Synthetics CAN make 2-5% improvement. At 30 MPG, that means practically less than 1 mpg increase. If you can discern that from the noise from tank to tank, good for you. Doesn't mean that the improvement isn't there...

And if you haven't run 5 tanks, you don't even have statistically significant data.

 

[Trav]

2-5% improvement over a synthetic blend of the same weight?