5 qts. synthetic -- what for the 6th quart?

[Benzadmiral]

This won't come up for a while, but once I'm paying for my own oil changes, I plan to use a synthetic oil -- QSUD, probably -- in my 2011 Regal with the 2.4L Ecotec engine. QSUD can be had to WM right now for about $22 for the 5-quart jug. However, the Regal takes 6 quarts -- and individual quarts at WM are close to $7.00!

Would it harm anything to use a quart of another dexos1-approved oil, like QS's synth blend? Or even SuperTech, since by then I'll be out of warranty anyway?

 

[gregk24]

Doubt it would harm a thing, I would stick with the same brand however.

 

[datech]

buy three jugs, 15 quarts, for two changes and use the extra for make up oil. Or buy four jugs, for 20 quarts and three changes with two extra quarts.

 

[barkingspider]

It most likely won't hurt your engine, but I would stay w the same oil in your newer vehicle. On an old beater, I have no problems mixing oil brands. Just keep am eye out for sales, etc. Quarts of oil go on sale all the time and when they do, buy 5-6 quarts and your good for that many oil changes.

 

[SF0059]

Originally Posted By: datech
buy three jugs, 15 quarts, for two changes and use the extra for make up oil. Or buy four jugs, for 20 quarts and three changes with two extra quarts.


This. I do the same with my Audi (6.5 qt sump). I have a quart bottle in my trunk that I refill from the jug for convenience since I usually check the oil at the gas station.

 

[dparm]

API-certified oils must be mixable with others. You're fine to put something different in.

 

[tig1]

Buy two jugs.

 

[IndyIan]

I'd just buy 2 jugs and then buy 1 jug for the next 3 or 4 oil changes.

 

[2KBMW]

I didn't know the 2.4 ecotec had a 6 qt capacity.
Both my 09 Saturn Vue and now my 2014 Terrain with
the 2.4 have a 4.7L (5 U.S.qt) capacity.

 

[datech]

You might not be able to drain all 6 quarts.

I keep old rubbing alcohol bottles for make up oil in pints.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: 2KBMW

I didn't know the 2.4 ecotec had a 6 qt capacity.
Both my 09 Saturn Vue and now my 2014 Terrain with
the 2.4 have a 4.7L (5 U.S.qt) capacity.

I must have been thinking of something else -- you're right: The owner's manual says 5 quarts. It's the 2.0L engine that takes 6! Sorry for the useless post (though now we can discuss whether mixing a dexos1 oil with a non-dexos1 would be a problem. . . .)!

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
Doubt it would harm a thing, I would stick with the same brand however.




Why.
All API certified oils are mixable with each other and we have seen plenty of frankenbrew used oil analysis here that show mixing does absolutely no harm,and if your one of the guys who believe measuring wear metals is accurate then you'll find the frankenbrews tend to have lower wear metal counts vs using a consistent brand.


Originally Posted By: dparm
API-certified oils must be mixable with others. You're fine to put something different in.



Exactly.

OP

Buy a few jugs and pour the quart you need into old CLEAN quart bottles.
Seal them tightly. I use Saran Wrap in between the cap and bottle to form an air tight seal and just set them aside til your next interval.
The oil will be fine for many years if sealed properly.

 

[mrsilv04]

Paul-

Cost of that 6th quart is part of the reason why I've transitioned over to the dexos1 approved synthetic blends, over synthetics. I'm currently using the dexos1 approved Pennzoil syn blend in everything.

If a syn blend oil is good enough for a new Corvette for warranty purposes, then it is good enough for everything that I own.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

IIRC QSUD likes PHM bronze bottle 5w20 or 5w30. My Wifes Subaru takes 5Litres so I'm always looking for make up oil. Recently I used some of the PP5w20 for my Honda to make up for the PU5w20 in the Subaru.

 

[285south]

Just buy the 5qt jugs and ask one of the quick tire/oil change guys for one of their empty 1 qt bottles. Use a funnel to fill it up.

 

[ChrisD46]

Son's '02 I-6 TB takes 7 qrts . I just buy two five qrt. jugs of the same oil .

 

[BillyTheKid]

It won't hurt a thing. I did the same with my 2012 Jeep GC on the first or second change. I don't remember what the single qt was, but the 5 qt jug was Valvoline Next Gen and I think the top off was Mobil 1 or Forumula Shell synthetic. My vehicle didn't blow up.

 

[RedOakRanch]

I know the question is N/A now but I get nervous with out 2 years of oil on hand. I did get a bunch of low 5qt containers so my last oil change was 3qt 15w40(conv bulk), 2qt 5w-20(Amsoil SS) and 1qt 0w-30(M1 AFE). Truck runs great on homemade syn blend!

 

[HTSS_TR]

I bought some Mobil 1 15W50 from Pep Boys in 2002-2003, the last quart was used in my E430 2-3 years ago without any problem.

Oil in unopened bottle/container is good even after more than 8-10 years.

 

[CELICA_XX]

Yeah, as long as you have a garage, this should be easy...

Just buy multiple jugs of the same stuff.

Planning ahead means never having to mix oils.