Which oil conventional or full synthetic

Tiny
JPARRA602
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
My car just hit 200,000 miles on it. Which oil should I really be using? Conventional or full synthetic? And any recommendation on which brand to use?
Thursday, January 31st, 2019 AT 3:08 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,758 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2carpros. Com

I would continue using what you have been using. As far as full synthetic, I have seen people switch to it after years of using conventional and the engine develop leaks.

With that in mind, use what the manufacturer recommended when it was built. Use a conventional 5w30 unless you are in temps under -20 degrees F Here is what is recommended:

Engine Oil

API Classification. Look for Starburst Symbol
Above -18° C (0° F). 10W-30, 5W-30 (preferred)
Below -29° C (-20° F). 5W-30 synthetic (preferred), 0W-30

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Thursday, January 31st, 2019 AT 6:35 PM
Tiny
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I’ve been using full synthetic oil but recently I have noticed that i’m also losing oil. I don’t have any leaks, no wet spots on my driveway so I think my engine is burning it up. Should I switch to conventional oil?
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Thursday, January 31st, 2019 AT 8:22 PM
Tiny
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Welcome back:

You could try it to see if it slows things down. Keep in mind, with the mileage on it, one can expect oil consumption to a certain degree. I don't know how fast it is going through it, but a quart every 1K miles at this point would be acceptable. I don't know where you are located, but if you are in warmer temps, you may even want to try 10w30.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe
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Thursday, January 31st, 2019 AT 8:33 PM
Tiny
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I honestly don’t know how fast it is burning through the oil. I just randomly check. And yes I live in Phoenix, AZ the weather reaches 115 degrees outside during the summer. If I switch to 10W-30 should I use synthetic or conventional? And is it honestly safe to switch to 10W-30 after using 5W- 30?
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Thursday, January 31st, 2019 AT 8:59 PM
Tiny
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Since you have used synthetic, stick with it. However, it won't hurt if you change. As far as the oil weight, 10w30 is one of the options given, so it is fine to use.
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Thursday, January 31st, 2019 AT 9:26 PM
Tiny
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Okay, so on my next oil change I am switching to Castrol GTX high mileage synthetic blend 10w30. Do you think that’s a good choice?
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Thursday, January 31st, 2019 AT 11:09 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Honestly, I think it's a great choice. You're getting the best of both worlds. Let me know if it helps with the oil consumption.

Take care,
Joe
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Friday, February 1st, 2019 AT 12:52 PM

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