I was recommended to run Mobil 1, 15 50 and it was pricey.  but, though I do try to avoid Walmart to some degree, the price there on a 5 quart container of the stuff makes it affordable. 

Eric Caron 
85 GL Auto Westfalia 

> On Aug 25, 2015, at 11:32 AM, James <jk_eaton@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Why I run synthetic in our waterboxer:
> 
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX7RTLn_QCE
> 
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVn5OzuHtjg
> 
> Yes, I rarely start the Vanagon in the winter - once a month on warm days to keep it turned over (no roadsalt on our camper!) - but faster flow at cooler temperatures, even 5C/40F in the spring and fall is what I'm after, as I want to keep this engine!   Most engine wear occurs in the 60 seconds after a cold start, after all.
> 
> Plus, synthetic resists heat breakdown better, and good knows our waterboxers run hot at times.
> 
> Also, Frank Condelli recommends it, and given how many kms are on his personal Vanagon....
> 
> The rest of the family fleet was changed to synthetic to save money - 10000 km drain intervals, instead of 5000 km, but after a cold start incident without a block heater (the block heater cable had broken in the -39C/-39F cold),  when others in the parking lot couldn't start, it's synthetic all the way for me!
> 
> James
> 
>> Date: Thu, 13 Aug 2015 19:39:25 +0000
>> From: jim.felder@GMAIL.COM
>> Subject: Re: Flickering oil light on idle.
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> 
>> You will probably be OK when you run the 20W50. I don't think I would run
>> synthetic in a water boxer (covers head awaiting hail of greek fire, stones
>> and arrows). Just Castrol or other good petroleum. The most mileage people
>> have ever gotten out of them that I can recall have run petro. In any
>> event, just put the correct weight in and then see if you should start
>> saving. The money you save not buying synthetic should do it.
>> 
>> Jim
>> 
>