I changed oil to Pennzoil synthetic today. I "feel" a difference

[ERdept]

I'm quite self-aware and know when I want things to happen, such as expectations that a synthetic oil will perform better.

But, I did, as objectively as possible perceive that the Taco ran smoother, and the engine revved more willingly on the synthetic than the regular oil.


I can in no way measure the differences, but I do know that I'm not swayed by an expectation or feeling that the Pennzoil (substitute Mobile One, if the Penz wasn't cheaper) was going to do it better.

I really do feel that the engine wound up more freely after the oil change w/o my personal notions that it would do so aside.


Again, can't verify it in any way, but it just seems to run better now.

[Roland]

How closely do you track your gas mileage? I'm really interested to see if you get an improvement.

[Mudbug]

It will run smoother with synthetic. Most definately. It's not in your head.

[Demoncleaner]

I've been running Pennzoil platinum for 2 years now. Seat of pants, no diff, but noticed a slight increase in mpg during winter, probably due to its better cold flow vs conventional. $19 for 5Qt, I'm staying with it.

[ERdept]

Originally Posted by Roland

How closely do you track your gas mileage? I'm really interested to see if you get an improvement.

I used to write down my mileage and fill-up amounts on a note pad log, but don't do this anymore.

So, I have no benchmark after the change.

But now, I love starting the engine and feeling it run. Besided the funny tick that's still there, it is indeed smoother and just is more free revving.

Oh, also added the K&N oil filter too.

[tacomaman06]

pennzoil platinum is damned good oil.....its what i run!!!(in the tacoma and the honda)

[tacotoe]

When I changed to Mobil 1 at 4k mi. I noticed that the the truck no longer seemed to have a "power band". I know this sounds strange but....before switching to the synthetic from approx 3k rpm up to about 4500 rpm I could feel the truck pulling harder (accellerating more) while keeping the gas pedal steady. After switching over to syn. it no longer did that or at least not nearly as noticable. Anyone whoes ridden a two stroke dirt bike will know what I mean by power band.

[45longcolt]

I have taken the synthetic oil from an oil change, ran it through paper towels to clean it up some and then put it in the lawnmower engine. The engine ran faster, so much you could hear the difference! So you are not feeling anything weird, synthetic oil just works better, period.

[ERdept]

Thanks 45LC. I knew that I wasn't going crazy or just imagining things.

I really do objectively feel it revs more easily.

I remember starting it in the a.m. and having to step down more to get to the first stoplight of my same repetitive trip to work.

Now, I can feel that it just revs up to that speed more easily and willingly.

I know my drive and how the car drives.

[SharkMan]

I started running Royal Purple a few months ago and have noticed the best performance yet after trying various types of synthetic over the years. The best price I've seen is $6.72 a quart but its pretty comparable to Mobile 1 in price at most stores.

[99TRD]

I have heard that the Royal Purple is the good stuff through threads on this forum.

My question is, my 06 has 50K miles. Is it ok to switch now?

[M2M]

does any body remember graphite oil ??
now that was something you did not want to put in an old engine

[flavalk]

I was tracking my mileage religiously for the first 5,000 miles and was consistantly getting 17.6-17.8 mpg in town, back and forth to work. At the first oil change, I used Pennzoil Platnium and and noticed that mpg increased to 18.1 - 18.3 and has remained there since (15,000 on the truck now). Every little bit helps.

'07 PreRunner V6 Double Cab 2wd

[BigRed]

I bought my truck used with 20K miles on it. At the first oil change I put in Shell full synthetic (BJ's Warehouse Club has it for $20 for six quarts). I immediatly noticed that the engine ran smoother and more quiet. I also noticed that even when it hits 5000 miles and time for the next oil change the engine is still running quiet. When using conventional oil in previous vehicles I've owned you could tell when you were getting close to 3000 miles just from the way the engine sounded and felt.

[hondabuster]

Its all in your head. Weve been conditioned to believe marketing hype and so called branding. Go to Europe and youll see how nuerotic Americans have become. Whatever little decrease in drag or frictions isnt gonna be noticed by seat of the pants.. and maybe not even on a dyno. There probably is a difference, but not easily measured.
Its just like the guys who put fuel line magnets on...and notice the change in milage. Theres all kinds of ways to do a blind study on this, and prove its all mind, and not oil...or magnets...or air tornados or whatever.

[99TRD]

Go to Europe and see how neurotic Americans have become?

That is a BS statement. Since when do we compare ourselves to or even give a s%$t what Europeans think of us?

Watch the news. Europe is tanking. Crap economy, population dropping like a rock and piss poor immigration integration. Who gives a single god damn what they think of us???

[ANDYTACOMA]

Originally Posted by tacotoe

When I changed to Mobil 1 at 4k mi. I noticed that the the truck no longer seemed to have a "power band". I know this sounds strange but....before switching to the synthetic from approx 3k rpm up to about 4500 rpm I could feel the truck pulling harder (accellerating more) while keeping the gas pedal steady. After switching over to syn. it no longer did that or at least not nearly as noticable. Anyone whoes ridden a two stroke dirt bike will know what I mean by power band.

anybody who has ever paid attention to there engine knows what you mean by power band (The power band which refers to the range of operating speeds under which the engine is able to operate efficiently) unless you drive a honda!

[tacomaman06]

Originally Posted by 99TRD

I have heard that the Royal Purple is the good stuff through threads on this forum.

My question is, my 06 has 50K miles. Is it ok to switch now?

definitely!! you can actually switch to synthetic on the first oil change and it wont hurt anything.

[TorenApart]

Originally Posted by hondabuster

Go to Europe and youll see how nuerotic Americans have become.

I agree, many Americans are neurotic and being in Europe that becomes even more obvious... it's tough to generalize an entire country though


As far as synthetic vs. regular oils... hands down, synthetic is worth the extra cost in every way

[hondabuster]

Originally Posted by 99TRD

Go to Europe and see how neurotic Americans have become?

That is a BS statement. Since when do we compare ourselves to or even give a s%$t what Europeans think of us?

Watch the news. Europe is tanking. Crap economy, population dropping like a rock and piss poor immigration integration. Who gives a single god damn what they think of us???

Obviously you havent been to Europe, but the euro is up almost 75%, compared the the good old US buck. Whos economy is tanking?
People in Europe do and talk about whats important, like life and family....theres not alot of talk about oil and spark plugs.