Used to think synthetic oil was overkill for my sled, now I swear by it

For like 5 years I ran basic conventional oil in my 2012 Ski-Doo 600 E-TEC because I figured synthetic was just marketing hype. Then last winter up near Houghton, Michigan, my buddy kept pulling away from me on lake runs and his machine sounded smoother. I blew a piston ring in February 2023 and the mechanic showed me the carbon sludge inside my engine. He said switching to full synthetic could've prevented half that buildup. I switched to Amsoil Interceptor right after that rebuild and now my sled starts easier in -20 degree weather and doesn't smoke as bad. The cost difference stings a bit at $38 a gallon instead of $22 but seeing my spark plugs stay clean after 500 miles sold me. Anyone else notice their machine runs cooler after making the swap?

2 comments

2 Comments

jennifer_west4d ago

And yeah, I totally feel you on that. I was the same way with my old Polaris 600, thought synthetic was just snake oil for guys with too much money. Then I had a similar sludge mess after a couple seasons, and the shop guy pretty much told me the same thing. It's one of those things where you don't realize how much better it runs until you actually make the switch, especially in deep cold like that Houghton weather. Glad your rebuild worked out, man, nothing worse than being stuck on the trail with a blown engine.

jesseb203d ago

Blowing a piston ring" is what made me switch too. Nothing like seeing that sludge to change your mind fast.