10-26-2012, 12:44 AM
Your oil decision makes no sense to me. First of all, what sort of car is this that calls for 20W-50 oil. That is way too high a viscosity for most modern cars and will cost you in gas mileage and perhaps make it hard to start on cold days. It could even result in less lubrication at some points if the high viscosity reduces oil flow through some parts of the engine. Use whatever viscosity is in the owner's manual.
Second of all, 2,000 miles is waaaaay too frequent an oil change interval. Even with regular oil, 5,000 to 6,000 mile change intervals are much more appropriate and are probably all that is called for in your car's maintenance schedule. You are simply throwing money down the drain. Also, it would be vastly better for your car's longevity (not to mention better gas mileage) to go with full synthetic oil at 10,000 mile change intervals. This would also be vastly cheaper than your 2,000 mile interval with regular oil. As to synthetic oil being a waste of money on an old engine, that's only true if the engine is on its last legs and you're planning on trashing it and also if you are using standard oil change intervals. If a mechanic is suggesting 2,000 mile intervals then he is ripping you off and it's time to get a new mechanic.
Second of all, 2,000 miles is waaaaay too frequent an oil change interval. Even with regular oil, 5,000 to 6,000 mile change intervals are much more appropriate and are probably all that is called for in your car's maintenance schedule. You are simply throwing money down the drain. Also, it would be vastly better for your car's longevity (not to mention better gas mileage) to go with full synthetic oil at 10,000 mile change intervals. This would also be vastly cheaper than your 2,000 mile interval with regular oil. As to synthetic oil being a waste of money on an old engine, that's only true if the engine is on its last legs and you're planning on trashing it and also if you are using standard oil change intervals. If a mechanic is suggesting 2,000 mile intervals then he is ripping you off and it's time to get a new mechanic.