Can I switch back and forth between synthetics?

[sceva]

Background:
Bought a new 08 Corolla and I decided to go with synthetic oil. Considered both Pennzoil Platinum and Mobil 1 (5W30) and at 2100 miles I did my first Oil change and went with Mobil 1 5W30. I am going to stay within factory recommended OCI's (5000 miles) (under warranty and all)
I am still looking into whether Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum is my final choice or which is "better"

Walmart prices for 5 qt jug (checked today)is $21.94 for Mobil 1 and $18.94 for Pennzoil Platinum.
Also, I will be visiting family out of state next weekend and will be able to pick up some Pennzoil Platinum 5W30 at a auto parts store near them for "free" after a rebate (limit of 6 qts but I can get 12 quarts by having my son-in-law send in one rebate form for me)

My question:
Considering lower costs or "free" oil, Can I switch to Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 from the Mobil 1 in it now with no problems? Can I or should I switch back and forth between Mobil 1 and Pennzoil Platinum in order to go with the best value each time without causing problems with my car?

Last part of question:
Mobil 1 5w30 Pennzoil Platinum 5W30
Visc @40°C 64.8 57.5
Visc @ 100°C 11.3 10.3
Visc Index 169 169
Pour Point °C -48 -39
Flash Point °C 230 224
HTHS Visc
Mpa @ 150°C 3.09 3.1

What does it mean and/or what should I be concerned with? Is a 9°C difference in pour point of any real world concern?

Thank you all in advance.

 

[Gilitar]

Either one will serve you purpose. For the price PP is a better value. 5k mile OCI is nothing for either one of them.

 

[salesrep]

At 5k changes switching back and forth should not be an issue at all.

 

[02zx9r]

You can go with Pennzoil conventional at 5K intervals and get the same results. I am running 3 quarts Pennzoil Conventional 5w30 and 1.5 quarts pen plat 5w30 and doing the 5K intervals as well. I feel it would be a waste for me to run Full Synthetic for 5K intervals, but it is your car so I cant tell you what to run and for what intervals.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Either one of those brands will keep your motor clean and well protected.

 

[02zx9r]

But yes, you can switch back and forth no problems@

 

[surfstar]

Quote:

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Considering lower costs or "free" oil, Can I switch to Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 from the M-1 in it now with no problems? Can I or should I switch back and forth between Mobil 1 and Pennzoil Platinum in order to go with the best value each time without causing problems with my car?

---

Here's my oil change history in my car:
80k-174k miles: Mobil 1 10w30 @ 5k mile OCIs

The rest are 5k mile OCIs with the following oils:
3 Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30, 1/2 Mobil 1 10w30
2 Pennzoil Platinum 5w30, 1.5 10w30 Penz Plat
Pennzoil Platinum 10w30
Maxlife Syn 10w30 SL
1 Valvoline MaxLife Synthetic 5w30, 2 Valvoline MaxLife Synthetic 10w30, 1/2 ML conventional 10w30
Pennzoil Platinum 10w30
Chevron conventional 10w30 SM
Chevron conventional 10w30 SM
Pennzoil Conventional 10w30 SM
Pennzoil Conventional 10w30 SM
3 synpower 10w30, 1/2 5w20
3 synpower 10w30, 1/2 5w20
Q-Torque 10w30

Currently at 233k miles. No problems whatsoever from switching, except a larger wallet thanks to now using sale/rebate synthetic oils. (dino runs were for ARX)

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Synthetics overall give better results than dino... especially cold flow when viscosities are equal - slightly better heat protection when dealing with things like turbos - plus cleaner engine over the long haul.

But if none of these things matter, you could easily get by with a name-brand syn-blend for 5K service - without ever dealing with any Auto-Rx's or flushes later in engine life that conventional "may/may not" present to the engine beyond 150K.

 

[sceva]

Thanks to all who answered.
If it were only the $18.94 PP vs $21.90 Mobil 1 I would probably just stay with Mobil 1 since I started with it. However, getting a rebate on six quarts that results in FREE oil swings it over to PP for at least my next few oil changes. Since both are SM, ILSAC GF-4, ACEA A1/A5-B1/B5, and Honda HTO-06 as well as meeting the GM specs including the corvette oil spec I do not know how I could go wrone with either. Since I would normally choose an oil and stay with it from then on I believe that I will go with the Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 for my future oil changes as it is hard to argue with the price difference. It appears that there is no clear superiority or advantage as well as no bad things to watch for with ANY of the name brand oils certified to meet the required specs. If I am reading these forums correctly, it is basically a matter of preferance and the differences between PP, Mobil 1, GTX Syntec etc are actually pretty minor. Please feel free to correct me if I am looking at this wrong as, although I take care of my automobile and generally will put 150,000 - 200,000 + miles on one over the time I keep it. I do not go as far as used oil analysis etc., and will not switch back and forth to see if I can get a few points difference on iron etc.
I just want a GOOD oil to use in my car and do not mind spending a little more for the synthetic if it gives it to me. In the past I have always gone with 3000-3500 OCI's and believe that with PP or Mobil 1 I can easily go to 5000 mile OCI's which should offset the cost difference. I realize that all of you are really into lubricants and know your stuff, however I am just a normal everyday driver looking to take care of his car and treat it right without breaking the bank or becoming a fanatic about it. You have been very helpful in this regard and I very much welcome any other input on this.

 

[02zx9r]

PP or M1 will safely get you 5K and then some. Most people will say 5K on syn is a waste but a lot of people do 5K, some do 3K still with syn.
-PP at 5K will serve you well.

Good luck

 

[tripleM]

If ppl have seen the 10K miles UOA recently with PP, then they wouldn't be stopping @ 5k.

Changing oil is never bad for the car.

Only bad for the wallet & waste of resources.

 

[Lonnie]

If this question is not in the FAQ's it should be. Mobil 1 prices are usually a bit higher. You must consider that buying Mobil 1 means that you are helping the racing teams supported by Mobil 1. With PP they are doing the advertising by giving rebates. I like that system much better. I do not think that racing improves engine oil for daily drivers.