Best 5w30 Synthetics From Walmart

[Nicasio]

I see just about every oil brand at Walmart carrying “Advanced” or “Extended Performance” nowadays. The price differences are very minimal. Now I don’t let any of my cars go beyond 5k mile OCI’s or once a year OCI’s for the rarely driven cars. Can someone school me a bit on these new “Advanced” vs. “Extended Performance” vs. their “Regular” full synthetics? What would be your top choice of 5w30 available at Walmart? Looking for the most protection/durability possible for the rarely driven hot rods.

 

[Chris142]

I don't think you can buy a bad synthetic 5w-30. Pick your favorite color and go with it.

 

[Hall]

It's just marketing. If you're changing your oil at 5000 miles, you could use Dollar General brand oil and be just fine.

The "Advanced" or "Extended Performance" usually means it's good for 10,000+ miles, some up to 20,000 miles. Doesn't apply to you so there's no point buying it. Of course, some will claim it's better oil since it can go that long and therefore, it must be better for 5000 miles. Theoretically, yeah. Real world, no.

 

[dlundblad]

Castrol 5w30 A3/B4 if your WM has it.

 

[Nicasio]

Yea I see all the advertised 20k mile intervals. Of course I would never do that, but even within my short OCI’s would those protect any better for the minimal $2 difference?

 

[Nicasio]

Castrol 5w30 A3/B4 if your WM has it.

That’s the Edge Euro right?

 

[Legal Eagles]

I don't think you can buy a bad synthetic 5w-30. Pick your favorite color and go with it.

Speaking of color, pick the darkest new oil so you can see it on the dipstick... some synthetics are so light and clear these old eyes have trouble reading the dipstick!

 

[Malo83]

 

[OVERKILL]

It's just marketing. If you're changing your oil at 5000 miles, you could use Dollar General brand oil and be just fine.

I'd love for somebody to run a Honda VCM engine on Dollar General oil at 5,000 mile intervals, lol.

There are definitely applications where more robust formulations can make a difference.

 

[JimPghPA]

The VCM of the 2.4 L in my 2016 Honda CR-V is one of the main reasons I use PUP (though in 0W-20), not 5W-30 but PUP of any viscosity is an oil that has very high cleaning, very good lubricating at all the temperatures it sees, and one of the lowest NOAC numbers. If you order 2 or more of the 5 liter jugs Walmart will send them to you for free, and usually PUP is the same price or only a dollar more then PP. Walmart seldom sells PUP in stores around here and when the do the shelf for the 5 Liter is empty and the 1 quart is way over priced. But by mail order the 5 Liter jugs is is a good deal.

 

[eljefino]

They're shelf-flankers, meant to keep the competition in a smaller footprint. The definition of synthetic is all but meaningless now that it's "the way" to get oil, but us 80s children still think it's special. The inability for the bottlers to sort by price in any meaningful way shows what a joke it is.

Look for euro specs for something a little more robust.

 

[Bighorn2500]

QSFS 5w30 or plain ole’ Mobil 1 5w30 with $8 rebate

 

[Hall]

I'd love for somebody to run a Honda VCM engine on Dollar General oil at 5,000 mile intervals, lol.

Their store-brand oil has SN+ and even SP API ratings. Are those meaningless ? I'll bet their store-brand oil meets DEXOS specs too but they choose not to pay the fee.

 

[OVERKILL]

Their store-brand oil has SN+ and even SP API ratings. Are those meaningless ? I'll bet their store-brand oil meets DEXOS specs too but they choose not to pay the fee.

No, just don't set the bar high enough for some applications unfortunately, this being one of them.

 

[Krieg]

I'm partial to Mobil 1 at the moment!

 

[wpod]

The Best oil would produce the least wear. Just because an oil is longer life doesn't mean less wear or a better oil.

 

[BMW Dom]

The Best oil would produce the least wear. Just because an oil is longer life doesn't mean less wear or a better oil.

But, what's the "best" oil? Also, how do you determine the least amount of wear?

 

[wlk]

QSFS 5w30, PP Euro l 5w30, PP 5w30

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Whatever is on the shelf

Lots of empty shelves in the oil aisles at Walmart lately. For rarely-driven classics, it doesn't matter at all.

Yea I see all the advertised 20k mile intervals. Of course I would never do that, but even within my short OCI’s would those protect any better for the minimal $2 difference?

no, but the $2 difference is so small it's still worth the upgrade.

 

[danez_yoda]

I agree with the above. Oils are so good today compared to what they were in the past that all oils that meet the latest API specifications make good oils. not need to fret. You can either buy the cheapest and know its the "good enough" or but the most expensive oil and tell youself "if it cost more than the others it must be better" if that helps you sleep at night. Engine won't care either way.