Does conventional provide more 'cushion'?

[frmtbiker]

I'm wondering if this is just in my head, but I have heard it from others too. It seems that when I run conventional oil my engine runs quieter, like the oil provides more 'cushion'. I recently switched to Valvoline Synpower, and my engine seems a bit noisier, though not enough to concern me.

Is this due to a difference in viscosities? Is this just in my head?

 

[tig1]

I've used synt oil since 78 and my engines are always quite. I have friends that say when they switch to synt their engine has a little less noise. Go figure.

 

[d00df00d]

You're not the only one who has said something similar.

You're also right to suspect that there may be a viscosity difference.

If you ever decide the noise does bother you, try switching to a different oil. Otherwise, drive on and sleep easy.

 

[ahoier]

Don't forget the filter. There's been experiences posted here regarding strange "noises" after an oil change, only variable being a new(different) filter.

I would think synthetic would be quieter, since it coats the metal friction areas better, but that's me believing the marketing hype again

 

[addyguy]

I agree with the OP. I think there is something to this....

 

[Art_Vandelay]

Originally Posted By: frmtbiker
It seems that when I run conventional oil my engine runs quieter, like the oil provides more 'cushion'.


Take 2 identical coffee mugs.

- Fill one with hot cocoa and water(not milk)
- Fill one with instant(brewed) coffee

Take a teaspoon and swing it against the sides of each respective cup.
The cocoa cup has a more muted clank than the coffee cup.

If you do the same thing with conventional 5w30 vs say Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 there will be a similar audible difference.

The more they "highly refine" conventional oil, the sharper sounding the clank. That's because the more refinement the more waxy base is removed. The waxy base is the cushion you speak of.

It's my theory of the day.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
I agree with the OP. I think there is something to this....


^^absolutely. In every car I`ve ever owned or changed oil in,dino runs more quiet and smoother than synthetics and synthetic blends. The only oil I`ve used that runs smoother than dino is RP. If it was placebo wouldn`t the expensive synthetics run "better" than the cheap dinos?

 

[Hokiefyd]

I've noticed the same thing as the original poster. The engine seems quieter and smoother with conventional oils. I'm extremely sensitive to noise, and my wife can't hear the little engine noises that I do. I noticed immediately the noise difference between conventional and synthetic in my two 2007 model vehicles. I've never run synthetic in the Dakota, so I couldn't speculate on a relative difference.

 

[aquariuscsm]

When my girlfriend came up to me totally out of the blue and said her engine was making a tapping sound (it has a synthetic in it at the time),then that tells me something. I changed her oil without her knowing to Pennzoil yb and next time she drove her car she said "my car sure is smooth and has a ton of get up and go today". Both yb and the synthetic were the same weights,10W40,and I used the same oil filter,an AC Delco.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Different size HC molecules should be a better dampener.

 

[Nick R]

Thank god I'm not the only one. Our expedition definitely runs quieter, and smoother on 76 (Conocophilips) conventional 5W-20, over MC 5W-20 Blend.

 

[frmtbiker]

Well it seems I am not the only one hearing this.

I plan on going back to conventional and sticking with shorter OCI. Even with synthetic I hate going 5000+ miles, so I guess synthetic is a waste for me...

Thanks everyone.

 

[Jax_RX8]

Dino oils are more polar - so they cling to metal surfaces better - thus the initial "quieter" running

The one exception to this is Esters, which cling even better than Dino oils.

As a general rule of thumb, the more processed the oil (Group I-III), the less polar it is and the more it has to rely on the additive package for wear protection.

This is NOT saying dino oils are better, only that they are formulated differently to account for this difference.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: Jax_RX8
Dino oils are more polar - so they cling to metal surfaces better


That`s the exact same thing I`ve been told by several people. Grp II and grp V oils are the most polar,grp IV comes in second,while grp III are the least polar,hence the smootheness and quietness of oils like Redline (V),Royal Purple (IV),and Pennzoil yb (II),over "noisy" oils like Syntec (III).

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Originally Posted By: Jax_RX8
Dino oils are more polar - so they cling to metal surfaces better


That`s the exact same thing I`ve been told by several people. Grp II and grp V oils are the most polar,grp IV comes in second,while grp III are the least polar,hence the smootheness and quietness of oils like Redline (V),Royal Purple (IV),and Pennzoil yb (II),over "noisy" oils like Syntec (III).


That's the exact opposite from what I have heard and experienced.

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Originally Posted By: Jax_RX8
Dino oils are more polar - so they cling to metal surfaces better


That`s the exact same thing I`ve been told by several people. Grp II and grp V oils are the most polar,grp IV comes in second,while grp III are the least polar,hence the smootheness and quietness of oils like Redline (V),Royal Purple (IV),and Pennzoil yb (II),over "noisy" oils like Syntec (III).


Esters are by far the most polar, group I would be next, then group II, then group III, and then group IV. Group III and IV oils usually have extras to help with their solvency/polarity though.

In the end I would wager that well formulated group III and IV synthetics end up more polar than a Group II conventional.

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: tig1
That's the exact opposite from what I have heard and experienced.


Mobil 1 contains AN's among other things to help improve polarity.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: frmtbiker

Is this due to a difference in viscosities?

Well, did the two oils you used have different viscosities?

In general, I would say it all depends on a specific oil. If you put GC in your crankcase, you would probably find it very quiet too, despite GC being a synthetic oil.

 

[frmtbiker]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: frmtbiker

Is this due to a difference in viscosities?

Well, did the two oils you used have different viscosities?

In general, I would say it all depends on a specific oil. If you put GC in your crankcase, you would probably find it very quiet too, despite GC being a synthetic oil.



No, same viscosities... Just wondering if the same viscosity in a conventional and synthetic would act that much different.

 

[d00df00d]

They might be the same grade, but remember that each grade represents a small range of viscosities.