Choices for a synthetic API SM for a turbo engine?

Pennzoil motor oil
Status
Not open for further replies.
D

deeter16317

Joined
Dec 7, 2007
Messages
1,339
Location
SE, PA
Looking for a full-synthetic for use in a new turbo-charged gasoline engine (not diesel).

Manual says I can use a variety of weights (5w30, 10w30, 10w40, 20w40, 20w50, SAE30, and SAE40), as in my other thread I was wanting to use Schaeffers 5w40 (to stick with one oil for all my cars) but they are not API certified for their 9000 series. I spoke with the dealer this AM and they run a 5w40 weight syn-blend in everything...so the 5w40 weight is ok.

I'm thinking Pennzoil Platinum might be a good off-the-shelf choice?? Not really a fan of Mobile or Amsoil for various reasons that I won't get into.

I really never looked very hard at car oils, the other car is old enough that I don't care about running S9k in it...so its been a while since I had to shop around. S9K performs well in it (actually the same engine, just not turbo'd), even at 10k OCIs. I know it performs well, just if the question ever arose about the certification and warranty. If it wasn't for concerns over the warranty, I would run Schaeffers.

Any other options? Rotella 5w40 maybe??
 
If you can run 5w30, PP is hard to beat. You could spend more on other synthetics, but why? Quaker State "Q" synthetic is also a good, less expensive option.

You might want to just buy whichever API SM 5w30 is the cheapest when you go to change your oil. Your engine won't care what brand of oil you use, so long as it meets the proper specs.
 
Originally Posted By: Nickdfresh
What kind of car is it?


Subaru...turbo-charged 2.5L, boxer four cylinder.
 
Originally Posted By: wavinwayne
If you can run 5w30, PP is hard to beat. You could spend more on other synthetics, but why? Quaker State "Q" synthetic is also a good, less expensive option.

You might want to just buy whichever API SM 5w30 is the cheapest when you go to change your oil. Your engine won't care what brand of oil you use, so long as it meets the proper specs.



They "prefer" 5w30...but that is most likely for CAFE numbers and not overall protection...

I'm old school...I like to find one oil and stick with it.

I was also looking at Rotella 5w40...API-SM:

http://www.sopus-staging.com/staging/ShellRotellaTSynthetic_TDS_v10.pdf
 
Last edited:
Rotella 5-40 is a very stout oil. It is getting more pricey as time goes by, but it is an excellent choice for the subie turbo.
 
I have a 2003 Impreza WRX, and am running Redline 10W40 in it right now as a clean out OCI (Redline has aggressive chemistry). After the Redline, I am going to run Rotella T 5W40.

Most of the poor used oil reports on the WRX web sites involve 5W30 oils. Many in the WRX community believe that the thin 30 weights are not a good choice for the Turbo boxers. The only 5W30 oil I would recommend is GC.
 
Pennzoil Platinum 10w30 or your Rotella choice while under warranty, then try AMSOIL AME 15w40: it is going for about $28 a gallon around here, sometimes I get it 25% off this price.

Just my $0.02.

Cheers!
 
Mobil1 5w30 meets the HTO-6 spec and is API SM... Wonder if it would be good in your application...
 
Last edited:
No. Mobil 1 5w30 has proven to be a poor choice for turbocharged Subaru engines. High consumption, enough spun bearings to raise concern, and worse than average UOA results show this is not the optimum oil for this application.

Subaru(turbo)engines show lower wear with oils that carry or meet ACEA A3/B3-B4 specifications. They do best with an oil that has an HTHS >3.5, and a viscosity in the 12+ range. Any GF-4 rated 5w30 is probably not the best choice for this application. Subaru recommends 5w30 for fuel economy only. The manual lists higher viscosities, up to 20W-50, if you are going to actually Drive the car.

GC, Mobil 1 0W-40, and Rotella T Synthetic 5w40 are good choices, as are offerings from AMSOIL and Royal Purple. I run Rotella T 10w30 in my 2008 Legacy GT using the factory OCI of 3750 miles. UOA has shown this to be a great match for my engine and driving style.

Ed
 
Redline make a great synthetic that is especially good for turbo engines because it can take a lot of heat and not break down. Maybe overkill unless you plan on flogging the engine regularly.
 
Redline is hard to find locally...I would need to order it ahead of time, which is not that big a deal.

But since Rotella 5w40 is available almost everywhere and everyone seems to think it would make a good choice, I think I will go that route for this car. I have ran 15w40 Rotella in the past with fairly good results, so I have no worries about running the 5w40 offering in this car.

I will be changing the OE fill around 1k to get the garbage out early. I will need to investigate what other PM can be done in short order...to get the break-in oils out (with all their contaminants).

Thanks to all...its a relief to have an idea of what you need, and then to have some reassurance in your thinking.
 
OK, stupid question...

There wouldn't be any difference between a turbo in a gasser compared to one in a diesel would there?? I would assume the diesel would run hotter than a gasser (hotter EGTs) correct??

I just was thinking about the comments about the "turbo rated" oils...and while I have many, many, many miles on Rotella in a turbo diesel (over 750k combined), never thought about its effect in a gasser (with a turbo) before...if there is even any difference...
 
I have driven semis that could if you wanted to get 1,200+*f on the pyro and boost can be quite high on high output diesel engines. HDEOs are the best oils syn or dino. [Mobil 1 0W-40
27.gif
]
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
ACEA A3/B3 oil for Saab turbo?
Replies
19
Views
8K
BrianWC
T
  • Locked
900HP Twin Turbo Corvette oil..
Replies
16
Views
7K
buster
M
  • Locked
Oil choice for an (N18 engine) Mini Cooper S
Replies
10
Views
17K
mkosem
F
  • Locked
2000 Volvo S70 non turbo oil choice?
Replies
14
Views
8K
Fastr1
J
  • Locked
Finding an oil to prevent LSPI, API SP and Euro Compliancy
Replies
12
Views
8K
MParr
Back
Top Bottom