Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2006 02:41:15 GMT From: Bob <uctraingnospamanet.com> Subject: Re: 5W50 synthetic oil ok? - 2004 Saab 9-5 auto
On Tue, 11 Apr 2006 22:00:05 -0400, "George Ayer" <someonenospamatico.ca> wrote: >Well, I certainly intend to take my Saab back to the dealer for anything >other than maybe tires and oil changes (actually their prices for winter >tires matched Costco's). Mainly I was curious about the different oil >specifications and you've answered that question. Thanks for your comments. Couple notes: The dealer is expensive because they screw you over. It has little to do with the alleged extra "checks" which take all off 60 seconds and are only done to try to sell you more overpriced services and material. They just screw you out of way more money that the services are worth. As an example, my local dealer charges more than $20 more for a synthetic oil change vs. a standard oil change. Let's examine that: It's the exact same labor. Mobil-1 costs $2 more per quart *retail* than dino oil. Saabs take 4 quarts. So, that comes to $8 and the dealer charges $20. Dare I mention, they buy their oil in drums and pay less per quart than you and me. Explanation? They screw you over. That all said, filters do vary in quality. Wix is good and/or their OEM products. Likewise Mann (old Saab) filters are good. Others vary, check to see what they use. Also, Costco is likely to employ monkeys who don't understand the copper washer on your pan or the fact that it is aluminum and requires less torque. Every story I see posted about a stuck or stripped oil plug begins with "I went to the el-cheapo oil change". Likewise, those places are famous for putting in the wrong product (e.g. tranny fluid instead of oil) and overfilling the crankcase (often destroying motors). Use them at your own risk. Also, Castrol is a dino base (core) blended back to synthetic. Mobil-1 is fully synthetic. Since they cost the same, I use M1. I don't think I would be too concerned about using Castrol as long as you use reasonable intervals for the change.