Ok, I beat my car. I hit +170c a few times and I'm at 5000mi with my Super Tech Synthetic (A3-rated). I like the oil and would like to buy the same type again, but I'm de-commisioning this car very soon and would like to spend as little as possible. Should I keep running it in this clean engine or just buy something cheap? Choices are: Havoline/Chevron 10w-40, Motorcraft 15w40 (never tried yet, but available), Super Tech Synthetic, Delvac 1300S, MaxLife 10w-40 (on sale, $9) Bearing in mind that I may hit the redline a few times again. What to do?
Abused ST Synth oil, when should I dump it?
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Triple_Se7en
$50 Site Donor 2024
If you have a Meijer near you, try the SM Auto-Trend synthetic. Made by Citgo & there's a virgin analysis in the thread there titled "Whole Bunch of VOAs". It has a nice add-pack & is priced very similar to the Super Tech. I use it for 5K & like to push the gas pedal also.
I've used all the oils you listed at one time or another. The most current one in my work-beater minivan is the Valv. Maxlife. It used the same amount of oil as prior oils & no change in how the vehicle ran -- no change in engine sound or cleanliness.
Changing to a dino & beating the car may mean a shorter OCI. Havoline is the best of the bunch you listed (in my opinion).
I've used all the oils you listed at one time or another. The most current one in my work-beater minivan is the Valv. Maxlife. It used the same amount of oil as prior oils & no change in how the vehicle ran -- no change in engine sound or cleanliness.
Changing to a dino & beating the car may mean a shorter OCI. Havoline is the best of the bunch you listed (in my opinion).
If you like Super Tech Synthetic, then Auto-Trend Synthetic is no advantage in pricing. They are equivalents. Auto-Trend Synthetic is NOT Citgo Synthetic. Lookie here. I was hoping Auto-Trend would be re-badged Citgo Synthetic, but it is not. That Citgo Synthetic is really good stuff but hard to find here.
If you want to switch to Dino, Havoline is highly regarded and abundant ($6.5 for 5qt jug). Other top picks for the money: Meijer brand High-Mileage 10w30. It is just Citgo UltraLife. Great PDS specs.
If you want to switch to Dino, Havoline is highly regarded and abundant ($6.5 for 5qt jug). Other top picks for the money: Meijer brand High-Mileage 10w30. It is just Citgo UltraLife. Great PDS specs.
Triple_Se7en
$50 Site Donor 2024
VelociRacer
Auto-Trend is priced cheaper in quart bottles than Super Tech now... which I just saw at Wal*Mart yesterday for $3.15. Doesn't Meijer use a different supplier in Canada? It uses more than one supplier in the USA. In the areas of Michigan & Pennsylvania, our Auto-Trend bottles are Citgo bottles. Nothing coming from Illinois on my bottles.
Auto-Trend is priced cheaper in quart bottles than Super Tech now... which I just saw at Wal*Mart yesterday for $3.15. Doesn't Meijer use a different supplier in Canada? It uses more than one supplier in the USA. In the areas of Michigan & Pennsylvania, our Auto-Trend bottles are Citgo bottles. Nothing coming from Illinois on my bottles.
We don't have Meijer. Should I change the ST yet? The classic OC for A3 is 7500mi, but did I damage the oil with the temps? Any further ideas about my OT issue?
Around here (Detroit) the AutoTrend Synthetic sells for about $3.16/qt, which is a wash compared to Super Tech Synthetic for $3.15/qt. Or am I missing something in this comparison?
Although I live in the Windsor, Ontario area, I do my oil shopping from the Detroit area. And I know for SURE now (having spoken to Citgo), that AutoTrend Synthetic 10w30 by Meijer is NOT Citgo oil. Bottle may look similar though. It is the Meijer brand Dino, High-Mileage, and Murray's brand Dino that are all Citgo oil. Why don't you post the production stamp from your AutoTrend bottles/cases and I will tell you if it is Citgo or not
I guess I am trying to save a few $s. Do I need to change and do I need something thicker...or will that hurt my OT? Not buying RL at $8/q.
Triple_Se7en
$50 Site Donor 2024
Around here (Detroit) the AutoTrend Synthetic sells for about $3.16/qt, which is a wash compared to Super Tech Synthetic for $3.15/qt. Or am I missing something in this comparison?
Although I live in the Windsor, Ontario area, I do my oil shopping from the Detroit area. And I know for SURE now (having spoken to Citgo), that AutoTrend Synthetic 10w30 by Meijer is NOT Citgo oil. Bottle may look similar though. It is the Meijer brand Dino, High-Mileage, and Murray's brand Dino that are all Citgo oil. Why don't you post the production stamp from your AutoTrend bottles/cases and I will tell you if it is Citgo or not It should be under the back label on the bottle. Or just dot-matrix numbers and letters on the box.
I don't have bottles to compare anymore & the producer is not something to argue over anyways. I don't like Citgo's conventional oil anyways. It breaks down & turns black on me in a sparkling clean engine after only several hundred miles.... then turns watery in 5-30.
I tried to stress the analysis numbers on the Virgin board for Auto Trend "Synthetic' Oil. It could be made by any oil manufacturer that produces A-3 or 4 and SM oils. -- I don't think name really matters. What matters is what's in the oil & how it compares to other oils. The late Stinky Peterson said it would make a fine 5K oil in a clean, non-abused engine when I had it analyzed - so that's fine with me.
On Saturday, my Meijer was selling it (synthetic) for $2.87.... cheaper than Super Tech in quarts.
I'm done here so there's no need for any further replies to me.
Although I live in the Windsor, Ontario area, I do my oil shopping from the Detroit area. And I know for SURE now (having spoken to Citgo), that AutoTrend Synthetic 10w30 by Meijer is NOT Citgo oil. Bottle may look similar though. It is the Meijer brand Dino, High-Mileage, and Murray's brand Dino that are all Citgo oil. Why don't you post the production stamp from your AutoTrend bottles/cases and I will tell you if it is Citgo or not It should be under the back label on the bottle. Or just dot-matrix numbers and letters on the box.
I don't have bottles to compare anymore & the producer is not something to argue over anyways. I don't like Citgo's conventional oil anyways. It breaks down & turns black on me in a sparkling clean engine after only several hundred miles.... then turns watery in 5-30.
I tried to stress the analysis numbers on the Virgin board for Auto Trend "Synthetic' Oil. It could be made by any oil manufacturer that produces A-3 or 4 and SM oils. -- I don't think name really matters. What matters is what's in the oil & how it compares to other oils. The late Stinky Peterson said it would make a fine 5K oil in a clean, non-abused engine when I had it analyzed - so that's fine with me.
On Saturday, my Meijer was selling it (synthetic) for $2.87.... cheaper than Super Tech in quarts.
I'm done here so there's no need for any further replies to me.
Then don't make recommendations based on mis-information. Read below to know why.
CITGO conventional was not brought up as a recommended oil, only to give an example of what is indeed bottled by Citgo.
It makes all the difference who produces the oil for Meijer. BTW, AutoTrend Synthetic is only A1-98 rated last time I checked (today). And everyday price is only $3.16/qt. Your local store must've had a sale, not the case over here. It isn't fair to make a long term recommendation based on Meijer sale prices when WalMart does NOT put on a sale.
No one can find a product data sheet for SuperTech Synthetic, nor AutoTrend Synthetic, so one must be aware that YMMV as store brands come from various sources with varying chemical properties.
Not necessarily directed at you, but readers must realize the facts, whether or not AutoTrend Synthetic is actually Citgo Synthetic, simply put: It is NOT.
Triple_Se7en
$50 Site Donor 2024
I change my house-brand synthetics at 5K for peace of mind. What's wrong with staying with ST-syn if you're happy with it?
170C oil temp?
If it were mine I'd change it now but I'd get bothered if I saw temps above 125C...
I just found out the stamped code on the SuperTech Synthetic bottles is very similar to that on the AutoTrend (Meijer) Synthetic bottles. This leads me to believe that the latter is the same Warren-produced oil (not Citgo). However, @Walmart, I saw 5w30 bottles that were still SL/A1 rated, only 10w30 was SM/A3. Meijer, on the other hand, may have had old stock, but the 10w30 was only SL/A1. Still nothing beats Super Tech 10w30 $11.88 for a jug of 5 so I picked one up today to try sometime this year.
According to the Old Oil is Better guys...
Don't change it! Just change filter and top off!
Don't change it! Just change filter and top off!
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