Re: Dino juice

[raf40@oes.amdahl.com (Richard Funnell)]

Bob,

>I want to put in synthetic oil into my 20V this month.. but I have always
>run only dino. When I do the switch, do I have to do anything special?
>Like drain it after 1000 mi or so due to the detergency? Or can I just
>leave it in its full term (6k I think??)
>
>Also.. which brand is best.. or should I use the blend?
>

Most modern Synthetics are completely compatible with Dino juice, so you
can just change it and leave it.

I looked into it a while ago, and decided on Castrol Syntec 5W50.  It seems
to me that to the extent that it keeps its viscosity range with time, that
range is a big advantage.  I have been watching a long discussion on the
Mercedes list, and some claim that Castrol uses a lot of viscosity
enhancers to get that range, and that it will become more narrow with use.
I change it twice a year anyway, so it doesn't seem to me to be a problem.
If you are inclined to try to run synthetic much longer than normal stuff,
you might look for a synthetic with a narrower range.

Castrol's recommendation is to follow the manufacturer's change intervals.
That is basically what I am doing.  I had no problems with the change, but
I didn't see any of the improvements sometimes claimed.  The biggest
advantage to me is in peace of mind and somewhat extended intervals (I
wouldn't wait as long using Dino juice, regardless of what the menufacturer
recommended).

One guy's opinion.

Richard Funnell,
San Jose, California
'83 urQ
'87 560 SL