Hello, everyone. First post here. I've been kind of lurking for a while now, but now that I've got a question, I figured I'd introduce myself as well.

Brief background info: I live in Louisiana. I have an '07 Accent SE. I drive about 120 miles round-trip to work every day: 1/2 interstate travel (70 mph), 1/2 highway (60 mph). So far, with about 12,000 miles on my car, I've only used dino juice changed at shops.

Now, with that out of the way...I'm wanting to change to synthetic oil, if for nothing else than the increased drain interval. As I said, I drive 120 miles a day for work, so I rack up the miles pretty quickly. I've been changing my oil at 3000 miles with conventional, but after looking at the cost of conventional vs. the cost of synthetic at 7500 - 10,000 miles between changes, well, I'm ready to switch.

My main question here is about Mobil 1. The main reason I'm looking at Mobil is that I can easily pick it up from either the Advance Auto Parts or O'reillys which are literally blocks from my house. What I don't know is what's supposed to be the general mileage difference between regular Mobil 1 synthetic and Mobil 1 Extended Performance. Going by their website is pretty useless; they mention that the Extended can go 15,000 miles between changes, but say nothing about their regular Mobil 1. It's only about $1 difference in price, but if I don't need to spend more for something I won't benefit much from, then I'd rather not (call me cheap, I guess).

Also, is there anywhere I can go to look up info on changing the oil myself? I guess that sounds like another stupid question, but since the car's so low to the ground, I have no idea how difficult it is to get to the drain plug or oil filter, or even where exactly they are on this car.

Thanks for any help.

First off, hello to a fellow Louisianian! I too have an Accent SE, just turned 1000 miles yesterday. I love it so far.

I think that with "regular" Mobil 1 synthetic, it is assumed that you will still change your oil every 3k miles. I say this because they have other versions that they advertise will go 5000, 7500 and 15,000 miles respectively between oil changes.

I don't see where it would hurt to go 5 or 6000 miles on the regular Mobil 1 synthetic, but I don't know if I'd be willing to risk pushing it all the way to 10k miles. If you do, I'd use a premium oil filter, no Fram for that kind of job. I recommend Mobil 1 or K&N oil filters. They are higher in price, but what good is a sythetic oil when you've got crap floating around in it unfiltered? Ask any aviation guy (my dad is a pilot) and they will tell you that the brand and type of oil is not nearly as important as a good filter. Aviation engines have extremely critical tolerances and usually those guys get a complete oil analysis done at every oil change. They all agree that the a really good filter is the most important thing besides changing the oil regularly.

Welcome aboard! I also changed the oil in my Sonata to synthetic. Did so when I bought the car and do change it about once every 6 months or 5k miles whichever comes first. (06 Sonata, only 15k miles on it) All on regular synthetic. No extended, performance or other ones.

I noticed the Clean 5000 and Clean 7500 on their site. Unless I'm mistaken, the 5000 is conventional and the 7500 is a blend. I'd rather go full synth.

But from what you're saying, I may end up being better off with the Extended Performance synthetic, right? And yeah, I was going to get the Mobil 1 EP filter regardless.

Edit: Oh, and LilBean...whereabouts are you in Louisiana? Cajun country?

This post has been edited by CajuNerd: Jul 1 2008, 08:51 PM

Ooops... I didn't notice they were conventional or blends... sorry, I see Mobil 1 and just assume sythetic.

If it's not that much price difference, and it's readily available, I think I'd go with the extended performance. A dollar or so extra a quart for peace of mind is cheap, I think. I have decided that since this car is brand new, I'm going to start putting Mobil 1 synthetic in it beginning with the first oil change.

I'm around Shreveport, but I have family in Cajun country. My mom's family all lives in a town right outside of Opelousas. Any time I spend more than 2 or three days down there I come back with the cajun accent. I love it... lol.

Hey, if you live down there, that would mean that you have... yeah, here it comes... a "Cajun Accent"... hahahaha.

Sorry I just had to, I couldn't resist...

Yep, I have a Cajun Accent *dah-dum-tissshhhh*

Opelousas? I was born and raised in Eunice, about 20 miles west of Opelousas.

Anyway, yeah, thanks for the advice. I won't hold it against you that you're not Cajun. :grin:

Anyone else have any suggestions?

You can go with just about and oil you wish but if you want cost saving, fuel efficiency, and most of all protection. I go with AMSOIL, since you can get up 35,000 miles or 1 year oil change intervals plus have their oil filter which are good for 25,000 miles you get true cost savings plus the protection of a true 100% synthetic oil and the added benefit of better fuel efficiency. Not to mention the warranty that comes with AMSOIL fluids and filters. You can get more information on it by visiting the link in my signature or PM/email me.

Hello and welcome CajuNerd.
My vote is for the Mobil1 extended. Save some dough and go with purolator filters. They are less expensive than the Mobil1 filters and I have never had a problem with the bypass valve function. I have experienced bypass valve failure and filter media blowout on both K&N and Mobil1 filters, I rank them with Fram.

I would also recommend a 6 month interval to adhere to Hyundais warranty requirements. As for the regular Mobil1 oil, it is intended to meet and exceed "all" auto manufacturers specifications and may be used for whatever interval is specified by their sevice recommendations. The extended definitely is a better product that does not break down as quickly and stays cleaner much longer and resists sludge formation better than any oil I have had experience with.

Thanks, Dawg. I'll have to look into those filters.

Wow.. some great info here! I will have to take another looks at oils and filters.

http://www.amsoil.com/news/LubeReport6-11-08%20.pdf

I changed mine to Moble 1 5-30 and notice about 1-2 mile increase in MPG. I would change it at 5500 to 6000 with your driving.

switched mine to 0-20w Amsoil signature oil(good for 25000miles!!!), Amsoil EA oil filter(also good for 25000miles!!), and ngk iridium IX plugs....went from 28mpg to 35mpg....i have 20000 miles on my accent now with an auto.

i agree with komptek....better mpg, better protection, better cost savings, and it comes with a warranty!!....AMSOIL. :thumbsup:

Not to mention you never void your Hyundai warranty in any way.