# Are all full synthetics created equal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** nissan, versa\ **Created:** [May 16, 2025, 4:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308 "2025-05-16T16:30:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Keith-Al](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f14d63/32.png) [@Keith-Al](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Keith-Al)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2025, 4:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/1 "2025-05-16T16:30:30Z")
I just got thru with a oil change from a nearby shop and it occurred to me that there was the possibility of the mechanic not using the recommended viscosity.. For my Versa, Nissan generally recommends 0W-20 synthetic oil. Would it matter if it was some other? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/2 "2025-05-16T16:40:17Z")
All 0W-20 oils are equivalent. Oils with different viscosities are not. If the startup viscosity is higher than 0, it means that it takes slightly longer to achieve full lubrication at startup. The second number is the hot engine viscosity. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2025, 4:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/3 "2025-05-16T16:49:56Z")
That is a loaded question! 0w20 must be synthetic to get the proper weight oil. I don’t believe there are any non-synthetic 0w20s. To agree with @jtsanders, they are equivalent in that they all do the same job well enough. That said, there are differences in oils called synthetic and it comes down to what base oil is used. There are better base stocks used but these oils are quite a bit more expensive and most shops won’t carry them. An example is Amsoil or “European formula” oils costing $10 a quart instead of $6 or $7. Enthusiasts, like me, buy and use them. ---
**Author:** ![johnlump\_191311](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@johnlump\_191311](https://community.cartalk.com/u/johnlump_191311)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2025, 5:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/4 "2025-05-16T17:24:16Z")
And it’s not just viscosity but API certification grade as well. I believe the latest cars 2025 require oil rated SQ. Way back about 1970 they started at SA. So oils have been upgraded about 15 times since then. Better detergents, degradation, wear, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Hugemoth\_144444](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ee7513/32.png) [@Hugemoth\_144444](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Hugemoth_144444)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2025, 5:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/5 "2025-05-16T17:24:23Z")
My 2018 Versa owners manual says 5W30 is also OK to use but 0W20 is recommended. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2025, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/6 "2025-05-16T17:44:55Z")
Oooh! Another oil thread! Let’s go for 500 posts here too! 😄 ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2025, 5:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/7 "2025-05-16T17:51:30Z")
Why are you not asking the shop what they use ? Also if it was a quick change like Jiffy Lube there are no mechanics there. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2025, 6:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/8 "2025-05-16T18:18:36Z")
> [@Keith-Al](#): > > it occurred to me that there was the possibility of the mechanic not using the recommended viscosity What does it state on your invoice? > [@VOLVO-V70](#): > > if it was a quick change like Jiffy Lube there are no mechanics there. … and some people have reported that JL-type places typically use the same viscosity oil for all vehicles… whether or not that viscosity is appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2025, 6:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/9 "2025-05-16T18:58:46Z")
0w20 is one of the most common viscosities . . . and has been for several years If the shop doesn’t have it and used something else, they’re an outdated joke and need to close their doors for good, imo ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2025, 8:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/10 "2025-05-16T20:18:13Z")
> [@johnlump\_191311](#): > > Way back about 1970 they started at SA. Much more way back… API SA rating started in the 1930s. I bought a quart of SA rated oil as a joke in 1993… Rockytop Motor Oil. Smelled and looked like thin gear oil. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2025, 8:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/11 "2025-05-16T20:27:40Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > API SA rating started in the 1930s. > I bought a quart of SA rated oil as a joke in 1993… Rockytop Motor Oil. Smelled and looked like thin gear oil. Dollar General was found to be selling both SA & SF oil in… I think… 2016. The NJ AG was able to get a judgment against them, resulting in the payment of a fine. > **[Thanks for Nothing #2: Dollar General Found Selling Obsolete Motor Oil – Mouse...](https://www.mouseprint.org/2016/02/08/thanks-for-nothing-2-dollar-general-found-selling-obsolete-motor-oil/)** > > Many of us shop at dollar stores because of bargains you can often find there. Sometimes, however, the bargain is no deal. For example, Dollar General sells quarts of its own brand of motor oil, DG, for $2.50 to $2.75. That is cheaper than the big... ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2025, 9:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/12 "2025-05-16T21:05:43Z")
> [@VOLVO-V70](#): > > Also if it was a quick change like Jiffy Lube there are no mechanics there. JL actually does repairs now and has for several years, at least in my area. I never used them and don’t have any idea of whether they do good work or not. I did see a wall full of ASE certifications at the JL near me that I used for oil changes (they did that well). The last I saw their cost for a synthetic oil change was far more expensive than anywhere else near me and that’s why I stopped going there. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2025, 11:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/13 "2025-05-16T23:23:35Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > 0w20 must be synthetic to get the proper weight oil. I don’t believe there are any non-synthetic 0w20s. You are mostly correct sir, but Pennzoil makes a Gold 0W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil… ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2025, 11:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/14 "2025-05-16T23:47:57Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > You are mostly correct sir, but Pennzoil makes a Gold 0W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil… Interesting. I thought you couldn’t get the 0 part if it wasn’t full syn. But I’d also not say that “belief” was based on any true expertise. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2025, 12:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/15 "2025-05-17T00:08:34Z")
Yep, it is more common in shops then at auto parts stores, but you can buy it, just have to look around for it… But yeah, any repair shop or oil change place that carries Pennzoil can get it in the blend… ---
**Author:** ![JoeMario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JoeMario](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JoeMario)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2025, 1:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/16 "2025-05-17T01:20:25Z")
Here’s a list of the API Service Classifications over the years: > **[Knowledge Centre | Penrite Oil](https://penriteoil.com.au/knowledge-centre/Specifications/194/api-service-classifications/363)** > > API stands for American Petroleum Institute. In 1970, along with the SAE and ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials), they established the API Service Classification System to define the performance level of a given oil, unrelated in the... ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2025, 1:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/17 "2025-05-17T13:44:15Z")
Problem I have with these oil change places is they only carry about 4 different weight/grades of oil and yet there are probably close to 2 dozen different oil requirements for all the different vehicles made in just the past 5 years. Best bet is to stick as close to the owner manual recommendation as possible. If you don’t trust the company that’s doing the oil change then find someplace else or do it yourself. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2025, 2:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/18 "2025-05-17T14:10:44Z")
And they use universal fluids, like ATF. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2025, 2:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/19 "2025-05-17T14:41:03Z")
The questions that Kieth-AL asks I think he either needs to use a dealer service or find a local independent shop he can trust. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2025, 6:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308/20 "2025-05-17T18:36:54Z")
I’m not pointing fingers or anything . . . But I know plenty of people that will think EVERYBODY is either cheating them, doing the job wrong, etc. And even if you treat them with the utmost respect, shake their hand, call them sir, let them watch, show them the invoice, repair, order, etc. and PROVE everything was done correctly and perfectly, they’ll still say “Well, I’ll pay the bill, but I still don’t trust you did the job correctly and you’re overcharging me” Again, not pointing any fingers . . . but there are some customers that NOBODY can do right by They probably would be unsatisfied with the breakfast their own mom cooked for them [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-all-full-synthetics-created-equal/200308.md?page=2)