Synthetic fluids, worth it?

[aldive]

Can one really get any performance/milage gains by using synthetic fluids ( oil, ATF, rear end )?

 

[ilikedellcomputers]

Well I can give you my $0.02 cents on whether or not synthetic oils are "good" for your engine, but not for transmission fluid etc. As for synthetics, I don't use the straight 100% stuff, just the blend between standard and synthetic oil. Now I am stuck on the thought that synthetic oil belongs in rice rockets that get 9000+ RPM's, and I like the idea that my car is being lubricated by old dinosaurs and plants (kidding) not stuff made in a laboratory.

Regards,

ilikedellcomputers

Peter

 

[AgExplorer]

I switched to AMSOIL synthetics (motor oil, ATF, gear lube) over 2 years ago and 42,000 miles. I have seen a 17% increase in fuel mileage, smoother engine idle, and a seat of the pants improvement in performance. I have also saved about $400 in maintenance costs and fuel. My '95 has over 90,000 miles on it and it runs better today than when it was new. That tells me that the upfront cost involved has paid dividends that will continue to pay off. I also don't have any of the pinging problems a lot of Explorer owners experience because carbon build-up is almost nonexistant.

Are synthetics worth it? I think so.