Another relevant question...I want to switch as well. Since I'm at 25K it'* definitely early enough. Oh yeah, the question:

How much more is synthetic oil (price-wise) compared to regular? Filter price difference between the Mobil 1 filter and OEM (OEM is usually $11-12)?

Also, I heard from a guy saying his mileage improved a noticeable amount when he swicthed to synthetic. Is that common??

I'd say that'* unheard of. Not possible at all.

Yeah, ok then I'm not insane. I didn't believe it when he told me either.

You'd need a HUGE sample of identical cars over a year to get enough data to prove one way or the other. Tank to tank would be impossible.

I found the guy'* post. This is from a Chrysler Sebring forum:

He said it took a while to do that...so I'm assuming if his mileage increased it wasn't because of the oil.

Is synthetic oil a lot more expensive? Since I'm poor I won't switch now, but I'm going to start changing my own so I'd save money than if I went to a shop.

That'* a joke. It could have been the simple change from winter to summer mix in gas, or temperatures. No lubricant for automotive use could ever produce those results. If they could, wouldn't it make headlines?

Hell yeah it would make headlines, and probably EVERYONE would be using synthetic too. I'd pay the extra money for the oil if I could improve my mileage by nearly 16%

No kidding there. Some people will make any claim to give themselves credibility when they're lacking in general car knowledge. That'* what you ran across this time, Pete.

Yep, and surprisingly no one else in that thread debated that claim ... makes me wonder... :?

There is an alternative to waiting for it to fail. Unfortunately it'* taking it apart when it doesn't have a problem.

You could take your time, buy the parts...and when you are home for a weekend/week go to it with Dad and have some father/son time.