Best Synthetic OTC pcmo

[LouDawg]

Setting aside the boutique oils that must be bought or ordered from dealers (like Redline, Amsoil, Schaefer, etc.) what do you consider to be the best over-the-counter full synthetic pcmo in a "normal" weight, like 0W-30, 5W-20, 5w30, 10w30? I'm not really considering price, but if you want to that's okay. I'm just interested in OTC full synthetics, like M1, PP, Syntec, QS, Valvoline, Havoline, etc. I think GC is only available in 0W-30, so if that's your choice, okay, but I'm not sure how to count it unless it's available in other weights that mfg warranties require, e.g. 5W-20 and 5w30.

If possible, please pick only one, or at least your first choice if more than one. I can't post a poll, but I'd like to make a list of the results.

Thanks!

 

[JAG]

Not sure if you want brand or viscosity-specific choice. But it has to go by the latter because within a brand, there are significant differences in formulations and performance. With that said, Green GC gets my vote, but it's not best for every application and no one oil is. I have a long list of reasons for my choice but won't go into it.

 

[farrarfan1]

Define "best".

 

[Ray H]

Green GC is still in production? I thought it was replaced with an amber version.

 

[JAG]

Ray, Green GC isn't made anymore but there is a lot of stash left in people's garages. That's where I get mine. It will become extinct someday.

 

[Patman]

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Ray, Green GC isn't made anymore but there is a lot of stash left in people's garages. That's where I get mine.

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You sneak into people's garages and take their green GC?

 

[JAG]

Haha! Yeah, I rigged up a GC-detector and drive around neighborhoods until the beeper goes off. It's a lot like metal detectors but it's attuned to the green juice. j/k.

 

[Patman]

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Haha! Yeah, I rigged up a GC-detector and drive around neighborhoods until the beeper goes off. It's a lot like metal detectors but it's attuned to the green juice. j/k.

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I'd better start wrapping my GC in tin foil then!

 

[AndyH]

Green or Gold GC for any vehicle that requires a Xw-30 oil.

 

[m2200b]

I thought Redline was in parts shops and performance parts shops even if not in the big store CSK, Pepboys ones.
Around here its cash and carry over the counter.

 

[LouDawg]

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Define "best".

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"Best" could literally be defined according to each individual's own criteria. For me, it would be the one that would get the longest mileage/life out of a "normal" production engine or let you run it in the most extreme conditions (or both) with the least amount of wear inside the engine (bearings, cylinders, rings, valves, cams, journal, crank, etc) and with the least amount of sludge, varnish, other deposits, holds its TBN, and such with a reasonable OCI of 7-10K miles.

I realize this can be hard to pin down...I'm just looking for general, prevailing opinions of OTC synthetics, and of course it has to include GIII since that's what most of them are, anyway.

 

[LouDawg]

Quote:

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I thought Redline was in parts shops and performance parts shops even if not in the big store CSK, Pepboys ones.
Around here its cash and carry over the counter.

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Not sure around here. I know there are some small shops and garages that you can get Amsoil, but they're few and far between. I was more interested in the mass-marketed oils that are readily available at many or most major retailers and auto parts stores.

 

[LouDawg]

GC would be great to use if I had a car that called for it, but my Honda says 5W-20, so while it's under warranty, that's what I'll use.

 

[JAG]

I claim total ignorance on what 5W-20 oils are best but whatever you use, I think that adding a maintenance dose of Auto-RX to it will help it.

 

[blsnelling]

I'm in a quandry myself. I've been away a few months and my world has changed. M1 EP looks to be a GIII? I've been an Amsoil dealer in th past and am now a preferred customer. My membership is about to expire and I've gone to M1 EP in everything. I just don't like having to order my oil. I want to be able to go down to the store and buy. With that said, I'm not going to pay what they want for M1 EP if it's a GIII oil, reguardless of it's performance. Call me bull headed if you like. I'm doing 10K mile OCIs in two of my vehicles and once a year/5K miles OCIs in another. I'll only do that with a GIV oil. What do I use now? Gold GC? Stay with Amsoil? PP is GIII, so it's out.

 

[buster]

blsnelling, I renewed my pref. customer status with Amsoil. I want to see how these changes will impact UOA's with M1 EP now being a Group III/PAO blend.

*The SM Amsoil 5w30 feels like a 20wt in my Honda. I'm very impressed. GC was sluggish.

 

[farrarfan1]

You're asking a question that has no answer. The Mobil users are going to say Mobil 1. The Mobil bashers are going to bash Mobil 1. Pennzoil users are going to say Platinum. German Castrol users are going to say German Castrol.Valvoline Maxlife is the darling among some users so they'll throw it in the ring. Somebody will be along sometimme to tell you that all you need is 59 cents a quart Chevron because it works better than any synthetic. It's like asking which fast food joint makes the best hamburger. You're going to get opinions and no consensus on anything.

 

[lexrx3]

I placed a similiar post on 12/30 but included boutique oils and said 'price was no object". Interesting results. Anyway, aside from the boutique oils i'd go with PP 1st or grudgingly M1. 5w 30. I use Red Line now.

 

[B00SS]

Best (my definition) - good price, good UOA results. My choice, German Castrol.

 

[mitchcoyote]

Mobil1 ep. I'm a Amsoil user.....