Anyone here ever gone from using regular
5w-30 oil to synthetic. I have a 2002 Grand Prix
GT, 62k miles 3800 and have been using reg. Pennzoil.
Did anyone switch to synthetic and start
developing oil leaks? Does it do more harm than
good? Is it better to just stick with the regular
5w-30?

I switched from 10w30 Dyno oil to 10w30 synthetic at about 138k. I ran Castrol Syntec blend for 2 oil changes, Then went with Valvoline SynPower, then tried the cheaper synthetic, which was junk BTW. Now I run Castrol EDGE, probably the best oil ever. But VERY salty on the price at $9 a quart. I finally landed a job, luckily enough at an auto parts store, so I get a discount. Only problem is we don't carry, nor can we get, Castrol EDGE. Time to go back to Valvoline and start using Lucas Synthetic oil stabilizer!

First oil change i did as the new owner 10w30 Valvoline SynPower was put in, never looked back since.

synthetics are awsome but the only difference is better additives that last longer and lubricate better than conventinal. convential will last 3000 miles where as synthetics can last 7500 miles. if cost is an issue, truth is any oil that is compadible wit ur car works, its how often you change it. regular convential can be fine as long as u change ur oil at the recommended intervals. i use moblie one cuz the original owner did and im fine wit a synthetic, not really a cost issue its mainly timing for me.

StreetShaker you are getting raped at that price.

And I kinda don't believe it because even Royal Purple isn't that much. I'd say asmoil is about that price.

I used castrol edge 5 qts for $25 at walmart all day every day. Autozone is a couple dollars more.

More of a Mobil 1 guy.

Would run synergin or amsoil if I had the constant $.

Mobil 1 with a Mobil 1 oil filter at Advanced for $29.99. is what I usually buy.

Valvoline SynPower by me runs $6.99 a quart.

I was just worried that switching to a
synthethic would cause leaks.

i use valvoline MaxLife cause im pushin 190k
when i rebuild the block im gonna use valvoline synpower
and every 15k miles i change my plugs and put lucas in the engine oil

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=synthetic+oil+myths

I now run full tech oil in both cars, and have noticed no leaks or loss of anything. The GP now runs nearly 5k between O/Cs. If you're at 75k or so, I would change to tech.

I started running mobil 1 in my car when I bought it.. not sure what previous owners ran.. I had a leak before though, and after switching to mobil 1, it was no worse.. like some people think/say it would be.

I too have purchased castrol edge at walmart for around $20 for 5 qts, but I was just in oreilly's and they wanted 7.99! Royal purple is right next to it for only a dollar more. So yeah, that $9 price is believable for sure.
sorry for the low quality cellphone pic, but I had to take a pic after seeing the debate on here

Your car won't leak upon the switch unless you already have leaks. Switching causing leaks is a misconception.

I switch to synthetic in every car I own. I drive lots. I change every 6 months or 7500 miles. I normally hit 7500 miles first. My GP had 107K when I bought it and 142K now 2 years later. No leaks and it uses less than a qt in 5K miles.

I use Mobil 1 or Valvoline in the GP and Amsoil in the wife's Monte that we bought new.