[Vwdiesel] Synthetic Motor Oil

[William J Toensing]

In reply to Erik Lane, around 20 years ago I bought an oil analyzer which measures the acid buildup in motor oil. When I have changed the oil, the analyzer said the oil was still good for further use but was half way up the scale from fresh oil. My MPG seemed to jump after I changed the oil in the Focus when heading east. However, I think it was more due to a good tail wind & being able to get good non ethanol laced gas. Got 37 MPG a couple of times. It dropped to under 30 MPG when I had to use gas with 10% ethanol in Nebraska & points east. In Minn. it dropped to 26 MPG as they love to put more ethanol in their gas. I keep track of my MPG with every tank fill & keep a log of it including where I filled up, price per gallon, & amount paid. However, several factors appear to effect MPG such as use of A/C, head or tail wind, speed, climbing mountains. The Focus tends to get better MPG when over 5000 feet in altitude. I like to change my oil before going on a cross country trip. However, the last time I changed oil which was last June, MPG did appear to go up a bit. As to improved MPG due to use of synthetics, I haven't notice any improvement in MPG with use of synthetics & I am a very MPG conscious person.