switch back/forth from Synthetic to Conventional

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paleface23@gmail.com - 19 Dec 2006 19:24 GMT

I've got a 2002 Grand Am (3.4L V6) with almost 99,000 miles on it.

I recently switched over to synthetic oil (Valvoline Max Life
Synthetic) b/c i had a coupon from vioc and figured i'd try it out.
Now, i've gotten it a couple of times, but i haven't noticed any
increase in mpg. Actually, i've noticed i've lost about 1-2 mpg on
average over what i was getting. What would explain that? Seems to
have been getting better lately though.

Anyway, now I'm thinking I don't require synthetics in my car, b/c it
doesn't haul anything and I live in Missouri which doesn't get
temperatures that are TOO extreme.

Is it harmful to my engine to switch back to the Conventional Max Life?

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Mike Walsh - 19 Dec 2006 20:20 GMT

You can switch back and forth without any problems. There are a lot of theories about higher or lower oil usage when changing between oil types. That depends (like your mileage) a lot more on temperature, viscosity, and vehicle speed than whether the oil is synthetic or conventional.

> I've got a 2002 Grand Am (3.4L V6) with almost 99,000 miles on it.
>
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>
> Is it harmful to my engine to switch back to the Conventional Max Life?

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Mike Walsh
West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A.

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