Difference between budget friendly and Higher priced oil

S

sumname

Joined
Sep 20, 2024
Messages
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I'm sure this question has been asked countless times but I can't seem to get read data. I'm running a 5.0 Ford engine.
I'm looking to reset my budget on oil cost. However I don't want to use poor quality oil. I'm reading differing opinions
on Synthetic vs Synthetic blend 5W20. I currently use Super Tech by Walmart. I understand it's produced by Warren. I change oil and filter every 5-7,000 miles.
80% open road miles. Engine currently has 184,000 miles. Doesn't burn any oil between changes. Should I stay with what I currently use or move up to something like Motorcraft or AmsOil? Also, Is it really a good practice to run oil 10-15,000 miles? Is it a waste to change it every 5,000? Thank you in advance for your assistance.
 
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sumname said:
I'm sure this question has been asked countless times but I can't seem to get read data. I'm running a 5.0 Ford engine.
I'm looking to reset my budget on oil cost. However I don't want to use poor quality oil. I'm reading differing opinions
on Synthetic vs Synthetic blend 5W20. I currently use Super Tech by Walmart. I understand it's produced by Warren. I change oil and filter every 5-7,000 miles.
80% open road miles. Engine currently has 184,000 miles. Doesn't burn any oil between changes. Should I stay with what I currently use or move up to something like Motorcraft or AmsOil? Also, Is it really a good practice to run oil 10-15,000 miles? Is it a waste to change it every 5,000? Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Click to expand...
Are you using syn blend super tech or full syn? I’ll echo what the other poster said: stick to what’s gotten you this far
 
I agree with the others - stick with what you have been doing since it is working.

As far as one difference between "budget friendly" and "higher priced" oils, the difference is advertising. I know there are other differences, but as long as the oil meets the oil specification(s) for the engine, I would not worry about the other differences because it is the final, formulated product you are interested in.
 
if you want to try something different use Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w-30 (or the EP) they seemingly are gaining ground in popularity and results are positive, not a lot of money at Wall-Mart for ease of availability , there are lower cost oils that meet specs on the market are just adequate, I would stay with a name brand, generally you do get what you pay for in the long run, watch for sales/rebates, the less than common boutique brands Amsoil ,HPL,Torco, Royal Purple, etc., usually are better engine oils that exceeds the testing protocols & approvals by a wider margin than lower priced oils but not always the case depending on the application of use ,,,,,,, often many times it grinds down to brand loyalty and just opinions.
 
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You can always use web based rebates such as from Mobil and Pennzoil which will result result in synthetic oil cheaper than semi-synthetic. Check out the section called “Product Rebates, Sales and Promotions“ at the end of the topic lists on this forum. I have absolutely no problems getting my rebates from Pennzoil and they are usually $ 20 per jug. You just have to check the section out once in a while to catch the rebate. The length of the oil change interval is a personal decision that varies across the board. I use 5,000 miles.
 
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sumname said:
I'm sure this question has been asked countless times but I can't seem to get read data. I'm running a 5.0 Ford engine.
I'm looking to reset my budget on oil cost. However I don't want to use poor quality oil. I'm reading differing opinions
on Synthetic vs Synthetic blend 5W20. I currently use Super Tech by Walmart. I understand it's produced by Warren. I change oil and filter every 5-7,000 miles.
80% open road miles. Engine currently has 184,000 miles. Doesn't burn any oil between changes. Should I stay with what I currently use or move up to something like Motorcraft or AmsOil? Also, Is it really a good practice to run oil 10-15,000 miles? Is it a waste to change it every 5,000? Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Click to expand...

Actually, I think every question you pose here is answered in the Valvoline 500k mile engine test video, if you read between the lines...
 
This is how I answer this question to friends.

Are boutique oils better? “Yes, but do you even need better, that depends on your engine/driving habits”.

If your engine doesn’t burn oil and is clean internally at 184k the oil your using is working fine.
 
RAVL said:
184k and no use or burning? Keep doing exactly what your are doing.
Click to expand...
No oil consumption at all. Not even a leak. I do keep it changed every 5,000.
In my personal opinion, I think the highway miles keep it healthy too. I do very little town
driving. I've had some suggest running Seafoam and the like thru it but not convinced that
will do anything except clean the wallet.
 
sumname said:
No oil consumption at all. Not even a leak. I do keep it changed every 5,000.
In my personal opinion, I think the highway miles keep it healthy too. I do very little town
driving. I've had some suggest running Seafoam and the like thru it but not convinced that
will do anything except clean the wallet.
Click to expand...
Don’t waste your money on Seafoam
 
ATex7239 said:
If things are going well, do something to mess it up - that’s my motto.
Click to expand...
Sort of like this, but with oil and things working.
1727093314994.webp
 
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