03 matrix synthetic switch?

[v_kev2002]

hey all, I just purchased an 03 XRS with 218,000 highway miles. original owner took VERY good care of this car. it runs very very good. engine is very smooth. I have always used synthetic oils in my cars and was wondering if I could switch from the oil the previous owner used (castrol GTX high mileage) to synthetic with that many miles?? would it be bad for the engine? also, the car has the original timing chain...considering the miles, would anyone recomment replacing the chain as well?? thanks!

[mistamatrix]

Personally, I wouldn't bother with synthetic oil at this point. Not that it would be bad for the engine but if the previous owner maintained it well, it should run fine on regular oil for the rest of its lifespan. The timing chain's meant to last as well. I wouldn't change that as well if it doesn't pose a problem at the moment.

[fishexpo101]

Congrats on the purchase. Wow - 218K miles - really shows how good maintenance is the key to long engine life.

Castrol GTX high mileage is pretty good oil. It is completely up to you if you want to switch to synthetic or not. If you already have a sizeable stockpile of motor oil of the appropriate weight - I'd say go for it. Given the quality of conventional motor oil now compared to most synthetics - the only thing that you'll probably gain is better low temperature pumpability and higher temperature oxidation resistance. The maximum mileage stigma for switching from conventional to synthetic is no longer an issue.

I'm with mistamatrix - as far as the timing chain goes, following that old adage "if it ain't broke - don't fix it" comes to mind. If you are really worried about it - you can always pull the chain and check to see if it is stretched out. That will involve quite a bit of work - but the only way to tell for sure if the chain is OK. One of those things that don't have a definite lifespan. If the engine saw good maintenance - 200K miles is probably nothing to the chain. I've seen chains last from as little as 30K miles (engine sludged over, no oil change) to 400K+ miles (just look at all the Toyota trucks with the 22R/RE engines still rolling around).

[v_kev2002]

thanks friends for the advise! I'll stick with the castrol then and I won't bother with the timing chain since there isn't a problem. honestly, I wasn't looking for specific car, just a specific price range and couldn't believe how well this little XRS drove, even with those miles!! I started reading this forum after purchasing the car and all the talk about "sludge" in those engines started making me really nervous! aside from the jolty ride over bumpy road and having to remind myself there is a 6th gear, I LOVE this car.
this forum is awesome! thanks again all!