Cheap synthetic oils

[RSstuff]

I understand the detail is in the additives and refining processes. But is the 'synthetic' at the bottom end of the market, where the likes of Halfords and Tesco sell 5 litres for under £25, any use for a 90's onwards turbo engine.

[paul_c123]

Too vague to just say "synthetic", you need to specify the car its for and then look up the engine oil spec required, then check that oil is that spec.

For an older car, a 'cheap' synthetic may be the correct oil to use. And anything more expensive, a waste. Due to economies of scale, I've seen synthetic cheaper than mineral or semi-synth now. So its not just cheapest = lowest spec any more.

[RSstuff]

It's for a tuned 90's turbo car that has been run on triple ester synthetic for the last 15 years, but due to fuel contamination something budget is wanted to flush the oil and run it for around 500 easy miles.

[paul_c123]

Still too vague.

[steveo3002]

RSstuff said:

It's for a tuned 90's turbo car that has been run on triple ester synthetic for the last 15 years, but due to fuel contamination something budget is wanted to flush the oil and run it for around 500 easy miles.

anything will be fine for that with gentle use.....hours on the track maybe not

[RSstuff]

paul_c123 said:

Still too vague.

Thanks for your interest.

[borcy]

If it meets the spec i don't see why not. 500 miles isn't much usage for oil.

[RSstuff]

Just over £26 for 7 litres of Halfords synthetic. I doubt it's a patch on the Millers CFS triple ester synthetic I've fed my 80's turbo car on for the last 15 years. But it will do to flush the fuel contaminated oil and for some low boost road mapping.

Edited by RSstuff on Monday 10th February 17:13

[Belle427]

Would probably work just as well as any other oil if not abused, difficult to make comparisons on oils really.
I try to stick to reasonable brands where i can as a fiver or tenner saving is not worth the hassle to me.

[RSstuff]

I seem to recall that years ago there was a court case involving oil companies, that centered on engine oil being advertised as 'Synthetic'. The outcome being that not a lot had to be done to the oil for it to be sold as Synthetic.