I bought a 2008 MDX with 105K miles a months ago. The engine runs fine and smooth with no leaking although it consumes about 1 quant of oil every 3K miles. The previous owner has been using conventional oil 5w-30 but I would like to start using synthetic to take advantage of the engine cleaning agents, additives and extra protection at startup that synthetic provides. In addition, the price difference is relatively small between conventional and synthetic.
Many people state that switching to synthetic on a high mileage engine could aggravate leaks and oil burning problems that might be otherwise go unnoticed while using conventional. The argument is that the cleaning agent in synthetic oil will clean the carbon deposit build-up already existing in the engine making existing leaks worst. They also say that the thinner oil get easier into the cylinder so they will be burn more easily.
Although I don't quite buy into that argument, I don't want to start having leaking issues after switching to synthetic.
I know this is an old and never ending discussion and has been discussed a lot of time including this forum but I want to have an opinion for my situation.
Should I stick to conventional or can I go ahead start using synthetic?
Many people state that switching to synthetic on a high mileage engine could aggravate leaks and oil burning problems that might be otherwise go unnoticed while using conventional. The argument is that the cleaning agent in synthetic oil will clean the carbon deposit build-up already existing in the engine making existing leaks worst. They also say that the thinner oil get easier into the cylinder so they will be burn more easily.
Although I don't quite buy into that argument, I don't want to start having leaking issues after switching to synthetic.
I know this is an old and never ending discussion and has been discussed a lot of time including this forum but I want to have an opinion for my situation.
Should I stick to conventional or can I go ahead start using synthetic?