Oil=power Options

[Milds3vn]

I was wondering if the fact that i put full synthetic Synpower in my car increased performance a bit? The engine seemed to smooth out alot after i changed this in. How low can the oil get on the stick and still be safe? The oil is a bit more expensive but doing that and always using 93+ gas it feels alot better in general. I have an exhaust too but I got a K&N not to long ago which seemed to help feel a gain from it, does that seem right or is it just cause i think its helping. If you don't have much money for mods i would suggest better oil, gas, and a filter. All cheap enough and unless im wrong, i think it has made a big difference. I have like 95k so maybe the synthetic helps "restore performance"? What about those engine oil aditives from Valvoline and STP, do they help? I have been wondering about this stuff for a while and feel like knowing for sure. Thanks for whatever anyone knows.

[97sccelica]

why do you use 93 octane gas? it is a waste of money on our economy engines and it actually causes a loss in power and fuel economy.

try to keep the oil near full, synthetic oil does seem to make the car run smoother and for me the oil is good for more than 3000 miles but i still change it

[Guest_Matthew_*]

synthetic oil will not break down as easily as non synthetic...it will help keep your performance and gas mileage up..and also help your engine last longer...

[Neipas09]

Valvoline MaxLife 10x30 for me! Damn 180,000miles

[aaronc222]

I've owned my 95 ST for 4 years now. It had 89k on it when I got it and I've been putting 93 octane gas with Castrol Syntec 5w30 since I bought it. Now I've got 187k and have had no mechanical problems.
All that has been replaced:
- Timing Belt (120k)
- Battery (130k)
- Starter (130k)
- Plug Wires (140k)
- Plugs (150k)
- Clutch (150k)
- Fuel Filter (180k)

The 93 and synthetic will help the engine run smoother, and the synthetic will add power(just not much, maybe 1/2 hp). As far as mileage, I get 33mpg in the city and about 28 highway. It goes down on the highway because of how high the rpms get when you go 80+.

[97GTinKC]

I dont know about the ST, but the GT owners manual says something to the effect of: For best performance, use premium fuel,,,
As for synthetic oil, I have used nothing but Amsoil since 1979, and wont use anything else in an engine or transmission, everything from the weedeater to the Celica. (and I change it once/year or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. Proved to myself on the last car extended drain intervals work ok, 14 years/162,000 miles changing oil yearly and filter every 6 months, lost the coolant and cracked the head, when I took it apart, there was NO wear inside other than the ring end gap was .003" over max. it was at .017, book said .008-014, . Bought new rings at the parts store, they were at .018, worse fit than the old rings. tried 3 different brands, all were over the max, ended up getting genuine Mazda parts, which had a gap of .011, exact center range of factory spec. ) Cylinder walls looked great, still had cross-hatch from factory honing all the way around, and all the way to the top on each cylinder, no measurable wear on crank or rods, even the piston skirts were barely scuffed, no sludge or build-up anywhere inside. no complaints from me regarding Amsoil...and yes it can definitely help performance, sometimes noticeably...dont know much about these newer companies making synthetic oil, but Amsoil has been around for 30 years now, and synthetics are their main business...damm, this is sounding like an Amsoil commercial. I'll quit preaching now

[abatardi]

93 octane won't help it run smoother...

- aba

[Stipt]

QUOTE

I dont know about the ST, but the GT owners manual says something to the effect of: For best performance, use premium fuel

You're right on that...in my 94 GT manual it says to use 89 or higher for best performance.

[Milds3vn]

Well no matter what some have said that 93 in an economy engine actually is worse I know it makes a difference. Plus in older engines with possible build up, lower octane gas may predetonate so if your car has a knock you should use higher octane gas. There is a definite improvement but it does cost more and burn faster...worth it in my opinion. Every little bit helps...

[boosted_K2]

my stance is a "its your car do what you want" kinda thing. if you think 93 octane, mobil 1 synthetic, top of the line filters etc all make your car perform better or last longer, then go for it! my take for my own "its my car ill do what i want" is, its an economy car, i use 87 octane (89 if the price is good and my pockets got a nice bulge to it, which doesnt happen very often), i use the castrol synthetic-blend, and try to buy atleast the more performance minded when it comes to filters and stuff... i wont do this when i start doing the engine work, but for now it is economy, and is treated as such.