Complete noob question: best place to buy FAQ?

[Quartz]

This is the world's worst noob question, hopefully it's not against the rules.

I have not bought my own oil in AGES, like, before online ordering was a thing. I have absolutely no idea where to start, what brands/websites/stores are reputable these days, or what typical prices are. Is there a FAQ or previous forum post out there somewhere where I can read up on all this stuff? I'm assuming there has to be, but I guess I'm not searching correctly.

(Also, thanks in advance)

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Motor oil is one of those things that is easy to find locally and is no more expensive that buying online. Do you have any chain auto parts stores near you? How about a Wal-Mart?

I buy lots of stuff online but motor oil is not one of them.

 

[Garak]

There is a subforum for that right here. Lots of things depend upon where one is located, of course, and one's brand preferences, but the kind users here do post rebates and promotions and sales all the time. I don't like sale hunting very much, so I tend to buy at the bulk distributor.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Motor oils go on sale at various retailers all the time. This month you might get the best price at Walmart, but next month it might be AutoZone or Amazon. Keep monitoring our Sales/Promotions subforum for the latest deals...

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/forums/33/1/Product_Rebates,_Sales_and_Pro

But if you don't care to hunt for sales and fill out rebate forms (I wouldn't blame you), then Walmart has decent product availability and probably the best prices, even when stuff is not on sale.

 

[Bud]

Most everyone has a Walmart nearby. Take a trip there and buy a name brand oil. Your owners manual is your friend as far as oil spec, and if you are out of warranty you can choose to use whatever you want. Spending lots of time on BITOG will give you lots of ideas and opinions. Next thing you know you will find yourself to be as anal as most of us here when it comes to oil, filters, etc.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Unless you hit one of the $1/qt specials at Autozone, it's almost always cheapest to just buy the name brand oils from Walmart.

 

[Colt45ws]

I just woke up and first thing I see is this and Im thinking, "Best place to buy an...FAQ?? What does that mean?"

 

[Dorian]

Recently I have discovered that Meijer is competitive with WalMart as far as pricing and they have M1 filters as well. I always check it out with their deals running. Although, they do not have the best selection. Walmart is more than likely your best bet.

 

[Quartz]

Originally Posted By: Garak
There is a subforum for that right here.


I saw that, and while it certainly tells me what to expect re: sales, It doesn't really help with what usual non-sale prices are (and doesn't tell me anything about what places are reputable overall)

 

[440Magnum]

As others have said, Walmart has good prices, but (at least in my area) the shelf stock is unpredictable. Given the incredible annoyance of navigating a Walmart parking lot packed with people and cars, the long checkout lines, etc. I rarely actually buy oil there.

Among the parts stores, Pep Boys has a very good oil selection. O'Reilly is probably second on my list (and a better parts store overall).

Amazon is great for some of the offbeat oils.

 

[A_Harman]

Generally buying oil in the 5-quart jugs at WalMart is the cheapest way to get quality oils without waiting for sales at your local autoparts stores.

 

[Ihatetochangeoil]

There are many wise responses here, and a wealth of knowledge on this board...I mean no disrespect to my fellow BITOGers, but the place to start, in my opinion, is to read your owner's manual and maybe the printing on the oil filler cap...So you know WHAT to buy.

If you've already done this, please forgive my ignorance.

BTW, welcome to BITOG!!

 

[Quartz]

There isn't a walmart really all that close to me (and I have moral issues buying anything from them anyway). There's at least one autozone within 10 miles. What other places besides gas stations sell oil these days? Are there any online sites that specialize in oil or is amazon the main go-to option?

 

[Quattro Pete]

I think you are going about it a little backwards. Start with your application and driving patterns. That will determine the type of oil that you would need. Once we establish that, we can then suggest some good brands/lines that meet your requirements and may be able to suggest where to buy them as well.

But in general, I would consider all the major brands like Mobil, Pennzoil, Valvoline, Castrol to be reputable. And I would consider all B&M retailers reputable as well. When it comes to online retailers, I would typically recommend Amazon due to free shipping (if you have Prime or if you order enough) and great customer service. Just be wary of buying stuff from Amazon from 3rd party vendors.

 

[Quartz]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Pep Boys / O'Reilly


Forgot about pepboys, have to see if there are any around here. never heard of O'Reilly (and the name is a little too common to search), are they an auto store or a big-box retailer or something?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Quartz
What other places besides gas stations sell oil these days? Are there any online sites that specialize in oil or is amazon the main go-to option?

All auto part stores sell oil. Most grocery/department stores sell oil. Some have better selection than others.

You don't want to buy your oil from a gas station, unless you really have no other choice and don't mind greatly overpaying for stuff. Gas stations are also known for selling obscure brand oil that is of questionable quality at best. Stay away.

 

[Quartz]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
I think you are going about it a little backwards. Start with your application and driving patterns. That will determine the type of oil that you would need.


Did that; I started the 'HYPER low mi...' thread about it. I think synth 0w-40 seems to be the best bet based on what people were saying.



Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
But in general, I would consider all the major brands like Mobil, Pennzoil, Valvoline, Castrol to be reputable.


Ok, so all the big names are still trustworthy? (I tend to assume that after a couple decades any name brand has a 50/50 change of selling out)

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
And I would consider all B&M retailers reputable as well.


Just to be clear/pedantic, you mean brick-and-mortar right? (as opposed to some chain store actually called "B&M")

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
When it comes to online retailers, I would typically recommend Amazon due to free shipping (if you have Prime or if you order enough) and great customer service. Just be wary of buying stuff from Amazon from 3rd party vendors.


Ok, fair enough, thanks.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Quartz
Did that; I started the 'HYPER low mi...' thread about it. I think synth 0w-40 seems to be the best bet based on what people were saying.

If that's the case, then Castrol Edge 0w-40 and Mobil1 0w-40 are the best priced (in 5qt jugs) and readily available, just as long as you are willing to step foot inside Walmart. Sometimes Amazon also has it at the same price.


Quote:
Just to be clear/pedantic, you mean brick-and-mortar right?

Yes.

 

[Quartz]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
If that's the case, then Castrol Edge 0w-40 and Mobil1 0w-40 are the best priced (in 5qt jugs) and readily available, just as long as you are willing to step foot inside Walmart. Sometimes Amazon also has it at the same price.


Well half the problem with walmart is just getting there, the only one I know of is ~30 miles from here. Amazon seems to be in the $25-40 area, is that ok? I need more than 6 quarts though... modern oils have a shelf life of a couple years, right? There's no problem buying multiple jugs?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Quartz
Amazon seems to be in the $25-40 area, is that ok?

$25 is good. $40 not so much.
Just yesterday, Amazon had Castrol 0w-40 for $22 and change. Their prices fluctuate daily. You can set up alerts to get notified when it reaches a certain price point.

Quote:
modern oils have a shelf life of a couple years, right? There's no problem buying multiple jugs?

Yep. No problem.