Synthetic Oil or Organic?
 

I just recently baught my 8 and am ready to do my first Oil change. To be honest this is my first high performance car and I am having a hard time decifering the jagon with Syntheic vrs Organic oil. I would thing Syntheic would protect the car better but it seems that it may be dammaging it instead. As for Organic what would be a good brand? I am thinking Castrol GTX.

Thanks ~

i use castrol. i would have slapped on a "use the search button" post but your castrol oil caught my eye - lucky you.

you can use both, provided they meet the requirements as described in your manual. but most seem to prefer to use dino oil (non-synth).
i know of people who use the synthetic and there really doesn't seem to be much difference, even though people swear by their oil. i guess in the end its whatever makes you comfortable.

oh, and if you dont have a small oil filter cap/wrench, call a buddy with a strong right hand (lol). you'll see why.

I heard about the size of the oil filter beign micro small and that every one is pursuing using after market models for corvets instead.

Maybe Ill just jab it with a screwdriver to start then put a proper one on there :)

this being your first oil change i STRONGLY advise against the screwdriver method until you've got a sure-fire way of getting the filter off. ah heck, i'm sure you'll see what i mean.

I run dino oil, Valvoline, but I stay on top of it. I run Syn oil in my wifes car cause I generally only work on it on the weekends and if she's out on a trip I may not get to exactly at the 3K mark so the Syn is cheap insurance on viscocity break down. I also run the Mobil M-110 filter. I think there's a thread with a subject line of Oil Changing for Dummies or something similar that you oughta give a read.

castrol

There's absolutely no question that synthetic oils are better than mineral oils as far as their chemistry and physical properties are concerned - low temperature flow, high temperature resistance to breakdown, shear film strength, durability - by ANY measure, synthetics are better.

The only question is whether you, individually, think those benefits are worth the higher price charged for synthetics. That higher cost can be offset by extended change intervals, but still, synthetic oil will cost more in the long run, while providing better protection in the long run.

Regards,
Gordon

There is controversy on whether or not synthetic oil should/can be used in rotary engines.

Taken from: http://fc3spro.com/TECH/MODS/ENGINE/OIL/brandweight.htm

"As for synthetics, there are conflicting arguments for their use. Yes, they give better protection, especially for turbo engines, but due to the oil-burning nature of the rotary engine, it is not recommended for street use. We've found that synthetic oils produce higher amounts of deposits on the rotor housings, especially right around the spark plug holes. For this reason, using good, quality mineral oil with 3,000 mile oil changes give more than enough protection for your FC3S on the street."

Dealer Claims Avoid Synthetic.

Reason: RX-8 is oil injected. Synthetic doesn't burn as easily (obviously).

Tie me to a tree and make me eat my fingers. I won't tell you what oil I'm using.

My local dealership refuses to do anything but dino oil changes in the RX-8