Oil change

[brebett]

Hi, there must be a post on this thread but out of time to search. I'm ready for my oil change on my avenger 2004. I've always run with regular oil. Can I use synthetic oil even if I never did. Will that damage my engine?
Thank you
Jack

[kingtroller]

It's what I run in my 2004 Avenger. No problems.

[brebett]

Yes, but since I always used regular oil will that make a difference. Also are there any oil filter specifically made for synthetic in those small engine. Which oil fister do you use.
Thank you
Jack

[thebuggyman1]

All oils will homogenize together. Haven't you seen the "synthetic blends" sold in the stores? They are part synthetic and part conventional oil....sold at synthetic price most of the time.
There are oil filters with better filter media than conventional paper filters. Try a Autozone store and Mobile 1 filters.

I always use synthetic in small engines....they use so little oil, it just doesn't cost much. The filters on the other hand, I don't bother with. Just change the oil often enough, and you wont need to worry about them.

[Tomo]

hi
Use only a 100% synthetic poa/ester base typically
Mobil 1, Royal purple ,Amsoil plus others
Castol and Mobil went to court Castrol won
The latest technology allows very good refining of mineral oil which can then be called synthetic

10/30 10/40 ideal 10/50
Always change filter as the small engine oil quantity will be contaminated if u leave the filter on .

tomo

[brebett]

You mean 10/50, but that is just if I use synthetic I guess. Would you run with that same oil in summer as well as winter.
Thank you
Jack

[Sol]

This is from Briggs:


Oil Recommendation

SAE 30 40° F and higher (5° C and higher) is good for all purpose use above 40° F, use below 40° F will cause hard starting.

10W-30 0 to 100° F (-18 to 38° C) is better for varying temperature conditions. This grade of oil improves cold weather starting, but may increase oil consumption at 80° F(27° C) or higher.

Synthetic 5W-30 -20 to 120° F (-30 to 40° C) provides the best protection at all temperatures as well as improved starting with less oil consumption.

5W-30 40° F and below (5° C and below) is recommended for winter use, and works best in cold conditions.

and this from Kohler, sorry I dont know what motor comes in what.

10W-30 (Command Oil) is recommended for Command, Courage, Command PRO, Command PRO CS, Triad OHC, and Aegis engines for temperatures above freezing (32°F, 0°C). SAE-30 is an acceptable substitute if temperatures are above 50°F, 10°C. K-Series and Magnum engines should use SAE 30 (Magnum Oil) above freezing. 5W-20 or 5W-30 can be used in all engines when temperatures are below freezing. For more complete oil specifications refer to your owner's manual. For optimum performance, Kohler's special blend oils are available from your KOHLER dealer.

Synthetic oils meeting the classifications listed in the owner's manual may be used, however oil changes still need to be performed at the recommended intervals. To allow the piston rings to seat properly, Kohler recommends operating a new or rebuilt engine for at least 50 hours on standard oil before switching to the synthetic oil.

[Tomo]

Hi, brebet
The factory recommendations are a starting point BUT NOT ALL ..
AN OIL MUST not be to thick or to thin
The w or the thinner spec does lead to oil consumption and sacrifices itself for the 2% better fuel economy and power
For a given temp range eg -18 to 38c preference is to the thicker side eg 10w/40 rather than the 10/30
Oil shears eg wears out and gets thinner
Even thou synthetic does flow easily compared to mineral . A synthetic 10/40 15/40 is first preferred before trying a 10/50
A 10/50 would be a good starting point for a high reving engine [above 6000rpm ] . The thickness is beneficial to try and prevent the oil from being thrown off at high revs
A 10/50 may place a lot of load on some oil pumps in the long term caution required
As with all things it comes down to the individual circumstance
Remember that due to small engines having flat tappet camshaft a high moly and maybe zinc prevents cam shaft wear . Remember to find out Typically most concentrates are 1200-1800 ppm [some r as low as 500 ppm ]

For new engines it is recommended that u use either factory oil or a very low speced oil Sc, SD , SF grade = low percentage of anti wear additives which allows the rings to bed in properly
tomo

[rodp]

And just as importantly (if not more), how you start / run your engine will have a drastic effect on it's life expectancy. You can have the best oil in the world but if it hasn't circulated before you rev the nuts of the engine all is lost .

[JoeMeg]

Start the engine and allow it to reach operating temp while at low idle. Then use it. Same goes for automobiles.

Had the chance to check out a real costly Italian sports car years ago. One of the things that impressed me was it somehow pressurized the engine oil galleys before it would allow the starter motor to crank it.