Do you mean if I run conventional oil, I will have to buy a new motor? There must be some kind of manufacturing defect in dodge motors that cause this to happen. I expect that will more likley be the case if you wait to change synthetic oil every 12K.

 

There is a long on going debate on synthetic oils. Synthetic oils now aren't what they used to be. Alot of sythetic oils now contain groupIII base stock which for the most part is a highly refined organic oil. synthetic contains a bigger additive package then its organic counter parts. I have also seen engines torn apart that have run syth. since day one and ones that have run organic oil since day one and guess which one was cleaner??? the one that ran the synth. i personaly have seen engines run quieter and idle smoother on sythetic oil of the same weight oil.

 

Thanks for the lesson thump. So what is the best filter on the market per cost.

 

It is good that people are thinking about oil and filters and what is the best use of dollars.

My opinion:
1. Use the best quality synthetic oil that is readily available (Mobil One)
2. Change the oil every 3,000 to 6,000 miles depending on how hard the service has been
3. Buy the best quality oil filter you can find (Mobil One, KN, Amsoil) and buy the longest case that will fit.
4. Leave the oil filter on through 3 oil changes (18,000 miles or 500 hours operation)

Note that savings on oil filters helps pay for more frequent syn oil changes.
Note that frequent oil changes helps flush out acids and water than filter can't neutralize.
Note that dirty filters actually remove small particles more efficiently.
Note that mistakes installing filters are one of the main causes of engines failing in the fieldby complete oil loss ... the most frequent mistake is leaving on the old gasket or getting a burr on the flange... so changing filters less often reduces your exposure to these mistakes.

I buy my vehicles with cash and keep them for more than 175,000 miles.
If I was trading vehicles every 50,000 miles my view of the economics would change.

 

I did a google search awhile back and found a few tests of filters.

Generally, none of them liked Fram. They even went as far as documenting a cigarette butt inside when cut open. They also didn't like the media and bypass hardware (flimsy and tends to go into bypass too soon). Best rated was Wix, NAPA Gold and Mobil One. They seemed to only address the mass market available stuff, and didn't get into the high performance, specialty filters.

 

How do we know Mobil One is the best? Beacause it is the most expensive?

 

Hey guys, don't forget about the Purolator ONE filters. Napa filters are made by Wix. I've heard that Purolator makes the K&N but adds the nut on the end of the K&N to make it 'different.' Fram's Tough Gaurd is thier best filter. I've used Fram TG with no ill effects, but will probably switch back to Purolator filters as I found they are about the same price.

Funny how everyone is worried about thier oil filter, but not many talk about air filters. Sure, more air equals more power, but how much filth does that K&N air filter let through as composed to a regular paper element....Just to add fuel to the fire and food for thought.

 

I'm not saying if you don't run synthetic you will have to replace your engine, but running stnyhetic will most certainly increase the longevity of your engine. Also anybody who doesn't change there oil at factory recommended intervals, regardless of synthetic or conventonal oil, needs to be educated on what it is oil actually does in an engine. Three things, oil lubricates your engine, oil cools your engine and another very important thing it does is it CLEANS your engine. Synthetic oil may not break down as fast as conventional oil but it still gets just as dirty with combustion deposits as conventional oil. Recommended interval with freash oil and filter is the only way to go regardless of oil type.

 

Goes to show, everyone has preferences.

 

you are right on the facts of what oil does.. synthetic oil has the ability to suspend the particles it clean better, it also has better lubricating properties the conventional oil and as it lubricates better it also helps keep the engine running cooler because there is less friction. Also if you look at conventional oil under a microscope you will see far more dirt particles left in the oil the you will with synth. If conventional oil changes at the recomended intervals is the way to go then how would you explain the sludge problems with many engines such as toyotas and even the chrysler built 2.7 in the concordes that running synthetic oil has lessens considerable? Oil in fact never breaks down the additives in it may weaken and it will become over saturated with and that is why oil loses its ability to lubricate. synthetic oil can suspend the particles much better greatly increases the oci. We can also get into oxidation of oil and why conventional oil needs to be changed after 3months run or not. As for air filters i posted some test results in the general forums. As for oiled air filters there has been rumors i have heard the gm is vioding warranties of vehicles with problems if a k&n type filter is found to be the cause. they have been finding oil from the filter coating mass air flow sensors and such. As for oil filters wix, supertech,napa,k&n,mobil1,baldwin, motorcraft are all good filters and well built.