Costco & M1 5w30

Wis · May 25, 2008

Hi All;

New guy here...

My 2002 Accord V6 calls for 5w20. I've been using M1 5w20 for the last three OCI's. I've got about 98,000 miles on the car. I'm a bit hard on the car and drive it about 60 miles every day. It's a mix of highway and city.

My local Costco has M1 5w30 for a very attractive price. Are there any concerns with switching from 5w20 to 5w30?

Also, they have even better prices on dino oil. Any problems with potentially switching back to dino?

Thanks for your help.

-Mike-

ARB1977 · May 25, 2008

I would stick to the 5W20 unless your burning oil...Walmart has good prices on oil too. Thats were i shop.

simple_gifts · May 25, 2008

No concerns using 5w30, no concerns switching back to dino.

You didn't indicate what oil change interval you are using. With certain types of driving you could easily go 10K miles with a synthetic.

Rolf · May 25, 2008

Originally Posted By: Wis
.... My local Costco has M1 5w30 for a very attractive price. Are there any concerns with switching from 5w20 to 5w30?

Also, they have even better prices on dino oil. Any problems with potentially switching back to dino? .....

In a mechanically sound engine there should be zero problems moving between 5W-20 to 5w30 and vice-versa.

Nor should there be any problems switching between petroleum-based and synthetics and vice-versa.

Wis · May 25, 2008

Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
No concerns using 5w30, no concerns switching back to dino.

You didn't indicate what oil change interval you are using. With certain types of driving you could easily go 10K miles with a synthetic.

I usually go around 4500 miles between changes.

SrDriver · May 25, 2008

I would stick with the 5W20. As another poster mentioned, Wal-Mart has the 5 quart jugs @ a reasonable price.

simple_gifts · May 25, 2008

Quote:

I usually go around 4500 miles between changes.

Some (like me) will suggest getting a UOA (used oil analysis) from Blackstone labs. For about $30 USD you will be able to evaluated the condition of the engine and determine whether you can stretch out your change interval.

It would be more economical that way if you found your oil/driving combination was suitable for a 7K or 8K change interval; the test would pay for itself in just a few oil changes, plus the time you save....

mechtech2 · May 25, 2008

Go 50/50 and be happy. Safe and sane, especially for summer.

Steve S · May 26, 2008

M1 is a total waste of money at 4500 mile oil changes.

FZ1 · May 26, 2008

If it ain't broke,don't fix it! Get the 5 quart jug of M1 @ Walmart for about $21.

Wis · May 28, 2008

Originally Posted By: Steve S
M1 is a total waste of money at 4500 mile oil changes.

Steve- Normally, I would agree, but a visual inspection of M1 at 4500 miles looks really nasty. I know that just looking at the oil is not a good way of determining it's properties, but I'm too cheap to spring for an analysis.

I just purchased a jug of Penzoil Platinum 5w20 at Walmart and I'm going to give that try.

Built_Well · May 28, 2008

I just dumped my PP 5w30 at 4,000 miles and 7 months. It was still bright gold and clean-looking on the dipstick. I'd say the mileage was roughly half highway and half city.

Wis · May 28, 2008

Originally Posted By: Built_Well
I just dumped my PP 5w30 at 4,000 miles and 7 months. It was still bright gold and clean-looking on the dipstick. I'd say the mileage was roughly half highway and half city.

That's what I'm looking for. The M1 after 4500 miles was black. I was also using an M1 filter.

I'm giving the PP a try with a Napa Gold filter.

leftlane · May 28, 2008

Today I saw that the m1 filters have $2 rebates at orielly's btw.

FZ1 · May 28, 2008

Maybe the PP is leaving all that nasty stuff in your engine?

Wis · May 28, 2008

Originally Posted By: FZ1
Maybe the PP is leaving all that nasty stuff in your engine?

Actually, I've been using M1. I just switched to PP earlier today. I'll keep my fingers crossed...

FZ1 · May 28, 2008

I would be curious to see if the PP turns the same color. Not sure that color is indicative of good or bad oil.

Built_Well · May 29, 2008

Originally Posted By: Wis
Originally Posted By: Steve S
M1 is a total waste of money at 4500 mile oil changes.

Steve- Normally, I would agree, but a visual inspection of M1 at 4500 miles looks really nasty. I know that just looking at the oil is not a good way of determining it's properties, but I'm too cheap to spring for an analysis.

I just purchased a jug of Penzoil Platinum 5w20 at Walmart and I'm going to give that try.

Who else was it that said their synthetic turned black after 5,000 miles? Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought Pablo said yesterday that his SSO turned black after 5,000 miles. Unfortunately, I can't locate his post anymore--so maybe my memory is failing? My apologies to Pablo if I'm mistaken, and attributing to him what someone else wrote.

Anyway, maybe 5,000 or 6,000 miles is the outer limit for oils, even synthetics like PP and SSO?

A. E. Haas has used many different oils including AMSOIL (which I look forward to using myself next time), and Dr. Haas says in his oil viscosity article:

"If you want the best protection and highest output from your motor use a synthetic based oil. The actual brand is not as critical as the viscosity. The rating must be SL or the upcoming SM rating. Change your oil every 3 - 5,000 miles and at least every spring." [END QUOTE]

Haas is advocating changing your oil every 5,000 miles, even if it's synthetic, apparently. And he has even used AMSOIL. There are a few mentions of AMSOIL in his well-known viscosity article at this link:

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/faq.php?s=24e0725dc8adb142babe1958586368ba&faq=haas_articles#faq_moto$

Costco & M1 5w30

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