Best synthetic oil value?

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Shagger

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I need a little bit of advice / help.

I have two cars - a 2005 Toyoyta Sienna with 65K miles and a 1996 Mazda 626 with 237K miles. I have been running synthetic in the Sienna for about 45K miles now and have been running synthetic in the Mazda for the last 200K miles. I typically go between 5K and 7500 miles before changes per vehicle and usually run a PureOne filter (my brother in law works for Mann Hummel). I change the filter at every oil change.
I tend to go with whatever synthetic oil is the cheapest. I have run Mobil 1, I have run Valvoline SynPower, and Pennzoil Platinum. I have not had any oil analysed. Platinum is $23 for 5 quarts at Walmart and Synpower is $22.50 for 5 quarts. There is also a deal at Advance for 5 quarts of Mobile 1 and a Mobil 1 filter for $30.

My 1st question is, in peoples opinions does it really matter what BRAND of synthetic I use as long as I am running synthetic with a decent filter with an 6K mile average OCI?

Question #2, Where do people send out there oil to be analyzed?
 
Originally Posted By: hate2work
...Most people are getting the analysis done at Blackstone labs...
Well I guess I should have figured that out if I looked at the BiTOG Main page!
grin2.gif

I ordered two kits - so we'll give it a shot next change!
 
Some years ago, Castrol switched from expensive synthetic PAO to cheaper groups III and called it "synthetic" they were sued, but the judge said they could call it synthetic, even though it wasn't PAO. What was found, was that the Syntec was just as good as the PAO (but not "superior to all other oils", as was claimed, so they were able to keep calling themselves synthetic, just were not allowed to claim that they were "superior to all other oils". They did continue to price themselves above all other oils, in order to rake in profits for the shareholders and the CEO, so stay away from Castrol synthetic, because it's overpriced, and not any better than Penn or Valvoline synthetic) So anything that calls itself a synthetic, would at least be the superior group III, maybe III+, and less likely PAO, but it doesn't matter because the group III base oil is excellent. The differences in brands, might have to do with the cost of the additive pack - for instance NAPA synthetic is similar to Valvoline synthetic, but the additives are not quite as potent, but for all intents and purposes, this is still such a superior oil, that the engine will do well with one or the other.
SuperTech Synthetic also gives excellent UOA, but it is just about as expensive as the rest of them, but if you still wish to save $5 on the jug, it will do as good a job as the others, especially on a Sienna or a Mazda. I wouldn't waste money on Mobil, mainly there the CEO is laughing all the way to the bank, and even if it has PAO base oils, which it may have, but in ?what concentration we don't know, the Castrol Syntec lawsuit results showed that a Group III oil is every bit as good as a group IV PAO.
 
Last edited:
It was not a lawsuit. It was a complaint to the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.
 
Originally Posted By: Mike_dup1
It was not a lawsuit. It was a complaint to the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

Some sources claim that Mobil also filed a complaint with the FTC, which is a federal regulatory agency. Such a complaint could be considered to be "legal" action in the broad sense of the word.
http://www.hydrogen-boost.com/august 2005.html
 
Q Horsepower is $18 for 5 quarts in most Walmarts. Not sure if so in IL. Quaker State is coming out with rebadged oil.. So most likely clearing out the old oil. GREAT deal and most bang for your buck in my opinion. It's a good oil.. has the GM synthetic spec (Cadillac and Corvette approved). Can't go wrong with that!
 
buy the torque QS at wal mart, it is only 15$ and excellent oil...it is being discontinued, buy a couple of jugs and go 8k with it
 
I buy NAPA syn because it's made by Valvoline only at a cheaper price. They sent me the specs and they're really close to Synpower's. Watch for sales,as I just bought 2 cases for a 3.29 qt.
 
I'd grab a jug of the QS Horsepower syn for $18...

Mobil1 is also offering an online rebate for $10 off five quarts, the catch is that you have to buy it after April 1st...
 
Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Synthetic and value do not go together. Use dino.

That's interesting that someone who claims to be an Audi junkie would say that "synthetic and value do not go together." I have found the opposite to be true, but that's just my opinion. Not to mention that the difference in the price of conventional oil vs synthetic oil is minuscule compared to the difference in price of cars.
 
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