What to do on oil

[backlash 1]

I have a new 2008 AC 400 auto. I have 50 miles on it and am at the 10 hr mark. I want to do the first oil change now but cannot decide to switch it over to synthetic now or wait until after another oil change. I only put on about 50 mi in a typical year and will be using it for fall, early ice,snow plowing and late ice.

People have said don't switch it over until it is fully broken in at 200-400mi, my dealer says go ahead and switch it over now. I don't think it really matters, the little bit I drive it, but,I would like to do what is best in the long run. What do you guys think?

[Dave S]

50 miles in 10 hours isn't much. I would wait. Most machines will take a little longer (mileage) to break in.

[BobT]

I'm wondering why you would seek this kind of advice from an online forum rather than following your Mfr. recommendations for your new machine.

[cold one sd]

I believe that AC recommends switching to synthetic at the end of the 10 hr break in period. It doesn't say this in the owners manual, but a dealer that I know called the manufacturer and this is what they recommended.

[jltimm]

I wouldn't switch to synthetic yet, as I would think there should be more engine break in to be had.

[backlash 1]

According to the AC manual, breakin is over at 100mi or 10 hrs. After many hours of on line research, this subject has been brought up time after time and I would say a high percentage of AC owners said their machines did'nt "come alive" until after 200-400 miles.

Some say when you start using synthetic oil, wear stops. If the machine is not totaly broke in at that point, then what?

So, I changed the oil and filter today, put in the AC 10-40 as so many recomended. Actually had a noticeable amount of metal shavings and gasket material in the drain oil, which makes me feel good about waiting for one more oil change before going synthetic. Now I just need to get some more miles on.