Best oil for my vehicle?

[GMFan]

I own a 2001 Saturn SL1 5spd, 100hp, 4 cyl 1.9L (real small engine). Most of its life it has seen 3 to 5k mile OCIs using Pennzoil Syn-blend 5w30. The last few oil changes I got at a different place. According to their sticker they were putting in AGIP oil.

Anyway, last month I did my first oil change (I stopped getting lazy and I hate how they sometimes fail to replace the filter). I used a Super tech oil filter and 4qts Mobil 1 5w30.

I searched the used oil analysis forum and didn't see a single Saturn. Wondering if this is a decent oil for this engine. I think this is the first time it has seen a full synthetic. Car has 93k miles on the odo and it doesn't burn oil. Engine runs like a champ.

My main question is which oil change interval I should follow? 5k miles? I don't want to spend $$ on an used oil analysis but would rather stick with a conservative OCI. My engine does have a timing chain inside so oil lubrication is important on these cars as that is what keeps the chain in good shape.

Thanks.

 

[IcebergS2000]

Mobil 1 5w30 is a good oil and should easily handle 5k OCIs as well as many other oils. If you want to save some money why not try Valvoline Maxlife 5w30. It is a semi-syn and very good oil. Just my suggestion, of course.

And

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

AGIP oil isn't a gyp.

 

[GMFan]

Yeah, I never heard of AGIP in the US. I thought they only used that stuff in Europe but supposedly it's good. The place is called Mavis Discount Tire. I went there for a few oil changes. However, they didn't change my filter and they overtightened it to where I had to stab it to get it off. Just don't like there methods.

 

[Gary Allan]

Americn Agip

 

[02zx9r]

You seem pretty knowledgable about cars and oil changes. Maxlife is a good recomendation

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: GROUCHO MARX
AGIP oil isn't a gyp.


Il cane a sei zampe per l'uomo a quattro ruote!

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: moribundman
Originally Posted By: GROUCHO MARX
AGIP oil isn't a gyp.


Il cane a sei zampe per l'uomo a quattro ruote!

Is that a dog? I always it was a mythical six legged fire breathing skinny lion? Fuoco fornito di gambe sei che respira leone sottile!

 

[Pablo]

Pennzoil Platinum might be the ticket.

 

[GMFan]

Sounds like Valvoline blend is a good oil (I believe Valvoline generally makes good oil), but honestly I'd rather use a synthetic for longer drain intervals (5k miles)(or should I say a Grade III which is the best oil/value combo, as synthetics aren't always a ticket to longer drain intervals). I do mainly highway driving but honestly I can sometimes be hard on the car like rabbit starts and stops. I sometimes shift at 4 grand so I'm not that gentle on it. I mean...come on...it has 100hp and I sometimes need to merge into traffic without killing myself or someone else.

I will be honest that I was one of those 3k miles by the book people. I felt like my engine was dying if I drove over that 3k mile interval. I'm going to be brave and head for 5k intervals consistently. I don't really want to go any higher than that, because of the timing chain. The manual says 3k for severe service, and up to 6k miles. I do have an oil life monitor on my vehicle which seems to illuminate around 5k miles generally. I may try to follow that.

I also see Valvoline has MaxLife in synthetic as well. So it is between that, Mobil 1 and Pennzoil Platinum (which I read here is a good oil for the $$). My car uses 4 quarts but I usually get the 5qt jug. So the consensus here is to go for whatever is cheapest of these brands?

 

[jeepman]

Originally Posted By: IcebergS2000
If you want to save some money why not try Valvoline Maxlife 5w30. It is a semi-syn and very good oil. Just my suggestion, of course.

And

Maxlife is perfect for this situation. Will handle 5k with no problem at a great price.

And a big welcome from the Jeepman as well.

 

[coffee]

MaxLife 5w30 for sure! You will appreciate it.