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This is always a 'hot' topic. Many people have had good results using regular oil and changing it every 3,000 miles.

My personal choice is to use synthetic oil. I happen to use Mobil 1 because it is widely available and has worked for me in the past. Others have had good results with Redline, Amsoil, etc.

The principle advantages to synthetic oils are their ability to handle heat, and to a lessor extent cold, better. Synthetic oils keep working well after regular oil has turned to tar. In the 9-3 base model ytou have a turbocharged engine producing a large amount of horsepower. The added protection of a synthetic oil means a long engine life. The cost difference is really a non-issue. Synthetic oil will last a minimum of 5,000 miles (mainly city driving) or more than 10,000 miles (mainly highway driving). So changing the synthetic oil and filter over the longer change periods offsets the cost difference between sythetic oil and regular oil.

Obviously, things might happen whether you are using regular oil or sythetic oil. Parts wear, oil pumps fail, etc. But the additional benefits to synthetic oil are slightly increased gas mileage (maybe 1-2 MPG), a cleaner engine (less residue or sludge), decreased wear of engine components (less friction), and piece of mind that you have given your baby the best chance possible.

My 1984 900T went 242,000 miles on Mobil 1 10W-30 before it was totaled by a careless 4x4. It still have the original turbo, cams, valves, etc. The vehicle never had the engine opened for anything other than a routine valve adjustment.

My 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider has 80,000 miles on Mobil 1 15w-50 with no engine problems at all.

My 1998 900SET has 38,000 miles on Mobil 1 10W-30, and I plan to keep it for at less ten more years.

Your base 9-3 with 18,000 miles is just right for synthetic oil. Choose a brand you will stick with and get started helping your Saab last for many years to come.

• black car and sun ?, chris g., Wed, 7 Mar 2001 10:01:25
  • Re: black car and sun ?, Simon, Sun, 11 Mar 2001 10:32:07
  • Living and driving in hot , hot, hot, FLORIDA, Nascar fan, Thu, 8 Mar 2001 10:35:31
    • agree except 4) - in dry climate condition seats more often n/m, MJM , Thu, 8 Mar 2001 12:34:59
  • Taking the Bimmer to Arizona?, Richard P., Thu, 8 Mar 2001 07:13:28
  • Re: black car and sun ?, EGD , Wed, 7 Mar 2001 15:31:19
    • no, tan int. - will engine run hotter due to paint color?, chris g, Wed, 7 Mar 2001 15:59:29
      • Re: no, tan int. - will engine run hotter due to paint color?, EGD , Wed, 7 Mar 2001 19:53:41
      • no, the temp difference under the hood due to paint color, MJM , Wed, 7 Mar 2001 16:07:36
  • Re: black car and sun ?, bob, Wed, 7 Mar 2001 12:05:46
  • Engine temperature..., REM in Seattle, Wed, 7 Mar 2001 10:15:35
    • Yes I know regular oil or synthetic, anthony, Wed, 7 Mar 2001 22:51:36
      • Regular oil or synthetic?, REM in Seattle, Thu, 8 Mar 2001 09:36:01 <-- Viewing This Message

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