>]From: Joel Walker <JWALKER@ua1vm.ua.edu>
>]also: i think the tendency to want to run the synthetics is mostly the desire
>]to go longer mileage between oil changes. i personally think this is a very
>]BAD idea. [...]

>From Jerry Dunham <dunham@devnull.mpd.tandem.com>:
>I agree with this 100%.  Synthetic oils DO last MUCH longer without
>breaking down, but there are lots of other factors: combustion by-
>products, fines (small wear particles), additive package breakdown,
>other contaminants.

I would tend to agree with this as well.  I've run my Golf on synthetics its
whole life (150k+ miles) and my mechanic tells me that it has 'like new'
compression.

I change the oil every 5,000 miles.  It seems to have done well.  On my new
bus, I'm going to change every 3,000.

>Bingo.  Higher octane ratings are there to minimize the tendency to pre-
>ignition, nothing more.  You should always run the lowest octance that
>does not result in pinging in your engine.  This can sometimes change as
>an engine ages (it has in my wife's Honda, now at 123,000 miles).  Any-
>thing more is a waste of money and petroleum resources.

Hmmm.  My boyfriend's been saying this for years, but I never believed him.
Perhaps I'll see how well my new bus does on mid-grade (89) octane instead
of the 92 my Golf always got.

Incidentally, change me over from being a 'wannabus' to an owner of a 1990
Westie camper, 32k miles, and a truly beautiful beast.  I've wanted one of
these for over a decade... and it feels wonderful having this dream come true.

Ron
--                           /\_/\      ____
Ron 'Coyote' Lussier        (     )     \ _/__            Chaco Communications
coyote@chaco.com             \   /       \X  /         10164 Parkwood Drive #8
(408) 865-0657                \_/          \/         Cupertino, CA 95014-1533