I would go Synthetic.  Few reasons:

- Cost isn't that much more.  $10 CAD for 4L of 15W40 Dino or $23 for 4L of
5W40 Synthetic (PetroCanada Duron).
- Change interval is longer.  You can go twice as long on Synthetic as Dino.
- Better protection.  Synthetic can get stinkin hot before it breaks down,
dino not so hot.  Much easier to start in winter with Synthetic.

For me, the extra little bit for Synthetic isn't an issue at all.  I run
PetroCanada Duron Synthetic (API CI-4 Plus) for 10.000km on my TDI engines
without thinking twice.  I have sent my oil away for testing and there is
still significant time left on the oil after 10.000km - cold starts are
easier, hot protection is better.  I have not experience any [new] leaks
when switching an older engine over to Synthetic.

David Marshall

Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
4356 Quesnel-Hixon Road
Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3

http://www.fastforward.ca    mailto:sales@fastforward.ca
Phone: (250) 992 7775        FAX: (250) 992 1160

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-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Leo Lee
Sent: June 1, 2005 4:16 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Synthetic oil or DINO

Just done the head job, oil consumption remains about 3/4 of a qt for 2000
miles. The multivan has 114,000 miles on it and keep on running. I am
thinking about changing to mobil 15/50 synthetic after reading the posts
from the vanagon archieve. Some said changing to 15/50 significantly reduced
oil consumption, some reported that synthetic oil is slippery, slick through
tiny gap and consume more oil. I would appreciate anyone who has changed to
synthetic oil in a high mileage engine to express their real experience.
Thanks

Leo, 1991 multivan