Any benefits to switching up brands?

[NMBurb02]

The title sums it up. Are there any benefits to changing oil brands from one OCI to the next to take advantage of different basestocks and/or add packs?

My stash includes enough G-Oil for six changes in the Burb and enough Valvoline MaxLife NextGen to do three changes in the GP. With the differences in OLM-guided OCIs and annual mileage, the two oils should run out at about the same time, about 2.5 years down the road. (I also have another 5 qt jug of Castrol Syntec Blend for whichever runs out first.) Would it be better to stick with one oil per vehicle or rotate them?

 

[901Memphis]

In your particular situation you might be better off sticking to one oil. Some of us have noticed phenomenons of consumption when switching brands when the car normally doesn't consume anything.

 

[mclasser]

The oil I run usually gets switched up due to what's on sale at the time. The advantage of different basestocks and additives is an added bonus I guess.

 

[MrQuackers]

Yes, I think it may be a good idea to rotate brands to maintain a clean engine. Thanks to the sales section on this site I have quite the bounty. If changing up brands increases consumption, oh well, no biggie. Great to be back on the site after my one month 'vacation'

For now on, I'm a good boy.

 

[NMBurb02]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
In your particular situation you might be better off sticking to one oil. Some of us have noticed phenomenons of consumption when switching brands when the car normally doesn't consume anything.

Well, the Burb will have to switch as I do not have any more and do not plan on purchasing any more PU. The RMS, LIM gasket and oil pan gasket have been replaced and I already plan on replacing the valve cover gaskets (mostly to take a peek at what's underneath). Oil pan gasket has been replaced on the GP as well and I was thinking of doing the valve covers on it too, but the RMS does concern me a bit as at one point it looked like it may be weeping and maybe the ML NG is handling that for now. Now you've got me thinking... (a dangerous past time, I know)

 

[demarpaint]

There might be some benefits, one brand might excel at cleaning varnish, or sludge better than another brand for example. In which case a change up in the different oil's chemistry might be of some benefit.

 

[charbaby]

I agree with the others comments but also, I allows you to see if your vehicles likes a specific brand or type of oil. Mainly it's the owner that likes the brand or type of oil, as most engines don't care one way or the other.

In addition, it also allows the owner to take advantage of the sales/rebates/discontinued oil posted from members here in the "Product Rebates, Sales and Promotions" section, which seems that you have.

Love a good oil score!

CB

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: mclasser
The advantage of different basestocks and additives is an added bonus I guess.
What exactly is advantageous about it?
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Mainly it's the owner that likes the brand or type of oil, as most engines don't care one way or the other.
^^^ This.

 

[jamesyarbrough]

I cant think of any advantages if its not a sludger or in need of cleaning.
Oils have different detergents, some have magnesium some have mostly calcium and so on. So in a cleaning application I guess switching it up could yeild better cleaning because some oils clean differently than others.
Other than that I cant think of any. As a matter of fact in extended drain applications it may not be a good idea to change it up. If I were pushing an oil to its limits the last thing I would want is to mix chemistry

 

[tig1]

I haven't changed brands since 1978. I have changed wts of oil within the M1 brand. Through all these years my engines have stayed, clean never showed signs of wear or coked rings. I'm stickin with what has worked well.

 

[Mud]

I think you can do what you think is best.
For about the last 20 years or so, I've not cared about brand, only that the oil/filter met specs. So I get what's on sale and stock up at close-outs etc. My OCI's are conservative at 4500-5000 mi.
Never had any problems with sludge, undue wear, or any oil-related issues. I plan to keep on keepin' on with this

 

[Doog]

Brand schmand...use whatever 5w30 you can find on sale. The critical part is changing your oil frequently enough to keep your engine clean.

 

[artificialist]

I see no benefit or loss using different brands of oil. I see so many well built engines last for ages this way. The owner gets oil changed wherever they can get a coupon, and they never think about what goes in their engine.