[Kevin 07 XR]

I took my Outlook to Monroe Oil for an oil change. I couldn't wait the two hours they wanted so I left. I went there because Midas said the Outlook wasn't in their system and he had NEVER heard of a 3.6 V6 ("Are you sure that ain't a Relay...) Monroe said they stocked the filter, but said if I didn't upgrade to their partial synthetic I would void the warranty and shorten my engine life.

I HATE scare tactics these guys use, but I wanted to hear what he said about the $10 upcharge to go partial synthetic. He said that is what the dealers use and they know to look for it when you bring in a vehicle for service. (more BS)

I know we have some Saturn techs and experienced "car guys and gals" on the forum, so what is everyone's opinion? Is plain oil OK and watch the Oil Life Indicator (mine is at 44% at 4410 miles) or should I not be cheap and go semi-synthetic for $10 more? I have used plain oil in all my cars for the last 30 years with no problems.

Is this semi-synthetic oil more like "snake oil"?

Thanks for your comments.
Kevin

 

[key1cc]

This is discussed in detail under the attached link called Outlook oil change & Tire rotation.

http://www.saturnoutlookforum.net/index.php?topic=253.msg1291#msg1291

Key1

 

[f3qu3t]

The recommended oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard GM6094M are all you need for good performance and engine protection. -- From the manual.

 

[redneck70]

You are right, the guys at Monroe are full of BS and are trying to get the extra $10 out of you. I found a list of GM6094M registered products you can use and not all of them are synthetic http://216.182.211.32/TechLink/images/issues/ref_gds/oilrequirements.pdf. I work for a lubricant company and when guys come in wondering what kind of oil to use in whatever kind of equipment they are using I allways tell them to look in the owners manual. As long as you follow the that you can't go wrong.


As far as using a synthetic you will get more life from it and better protection but it does cost more, if you want to use a non-synthetic it will not void your warranty as long as it has the GF-4 specs.


I also hate the scare tatics these guys use just because there computer system is out of date, and they try to convince you that if they don't have it in there systen you must need something special, and the dealers can't tell what to look for when changing you're oil, all used oil looks the same. In order to tell what kind of oil you were using involves a sample of the oil going to a lab, which takes a couple of weeks and isn't cheap.

 

[6Sixathome]

You are right, the guys at Monroe are full of BS and are trying to get the extra $10 out of you. I found a list of GM6094M registered products you can use and not all of them are synthetic http://pangea.stanford.edu/~schmitt/car/synthgd.pdf. I work for a lubricant company and when guys come in wondering what kind of oil to use in whatever kind of equipment they are using I allways tell them to look in the owners manual. As long as you follow the that you can't go wrong.


As far as using a synthetic you will get more life from it and better protection but it does cost more, if you want to use a non-synthetic it will not void you warranty as long as it has the GF-4 specs.


I also hate the scare tatics these guys use just because there computer system is out of date, and they try to convince you that if they don't have it in there systen you must need something special, and the dealers can't tell what to look for when changing you're oil, all used oil looks the same. In order to tell what kind of oil you were using this involves a sample of the oil going to a lab, which takes a couple of weeks and isn't cheap.

Well said!

 

[gig229]

I have been using Amsoil 5w-30 in my wife's Mustang. Not sure if it meets the specs, but he car runs so smooth and I only change it 1x per year (but I change the oil filter every 4,000 miles). This has been the best oil I have used. If I were you, I would stick with a synthetic. It costs more but offers much better protection and will last longer.