[Marvin]

From time to time I come across ads for synthetic oil. Are there really any advantages to using them? Is is beneficial for the environment to use them?

[jason]

They last longer, and are supposed to be better on the engine. I can change the oil about every 5k on the wifes, and Toyota says the Tundras can go 10k between changes.

[Eugene]

That's the manufacturer's recommendation overall or specifically with synthetic oil? Those are some decent intervals to not have to worry about an oil change.

[jason]

The Tundra is synthetic from factory if I remember correctly. They say it has to be synthetic. The wife's I put synthetic in from the first oil change.

[RoadWarrior]

Synthetic oil is awesome for very hot or very cold climates. It doesn't thin out too much in hot weather, and it flows like warm honey in cold climates, where it can take regular oil several minutes to start flowing properly. And it provides the utmost protection for your engine. I'm a firm believer in synthetic oils.

[Eugene]

Regarding the environmental impact, using synthetic oil helps prevent natural resource depletion, it lasts longer so drain intervals are extended and less waste oil is accumulated over time, and it burns cleaner with less harmful byproducts---all good for the environment.

[RapidRon]

I have heard stories of people switching to synthetic oil and suddenly springing a leak due to having cork gaskets. Synthetic oil is thinner than regular oil and seeps into very small areas, thus leaking through the porous cork gaskets of some vehicles where normal oil would not. I still think the benefits of synthetic are worth it. Has anyone ever heard of this danger and could you fill us in a bit.

[Adam12]

Ron, I've heard this too. I've also heard that you should never, ever put synthetic oil into an old engine that's always had regular, mineral-based oil. Like you said, synthetic oil is so thin, it can find little gaps and holes. Only use synthetic oil on a car that is fairly new, that is, about 12000 miles or less. But yes, synthetic oil is superior to mineral-based oil, won't gel up on cold winter mornings or turn to the consistency of water during scalding hot summers.