Does the oil brand actually matter? Is this all just hyperbole?

Assuming a non-boutique full synthetic, what are your definitions of low, moderate, and long OCI?
Careful Chumango… you’re gonna open a can of worms that some people here won’t be able to handle… IIRC dnewton has gone 10k+ on conventional (or blend? It’s been awhile since I recall his discussion) in his Panther platform. 🤣
 
Realistically, for most cars, doing a 5K OCI, brand probably does not matter. Only way to really know, as you will find if you spend some time reading on this board, is by doing a UOA.

Regardless of oil brand:

Me, personally, if I wanted to go more than that, if my 5K UOA said I could run longer, I would go to 7K and send in another UOA…..and so forth.
 
My quote on this topic, as I do this for a living:

The more you know about oil, the less you care about brands.


Why I say that:

When you start understanding who actually makes everything, who’s additive packages, where the raw materials are coming from, the base oils.

Suddenly the brand doesn’t matter.
 
Suddenly the brand doesn’t matter.
Next time your doctor issues you a Physical, distract him - removing his stethoscope and then hang it on the side of the house or garage. Then go buy a hearing aid for conducting secondary tests. Measure the engine sounds using different oils and thus determine which are the quietest.

That's how I determined what's best in my wife's Kia currently.... (Castrol Edge Euro).
Return the stethoscope unscathed within three years and your venial sin will be forgiven. Don't die in the meantime
 
Next time your doctor issues you a Physical, distract him - removing his stethoscope and then hang it on the side of the house or garage. Then go buy a hearing aid for conducting secondary tests. Measure the engine sounds using different oils and thus determine which are the quietest.

That's how I determined what's best in my wife's Kia currently.... (Castrol Edge Euro).
Return the stethoscope unscathed within three years and your venial sin will be forgiven. Don't die in the meantime


I see a doctor nearly every day, I say nearly because I travel alot. But I at least talk to her every day.

We’ve been together for years. The only time she’s ever had a stethoscope around, ever, was her medical school graduation however long ago that is.


The whole white lab coat, stethoscope thing might apply to primary care. But from my experiences… most doctors don’t use one.

Also, scrubs are nasty. I don’t understand the people who like the way they look, however I will advise you not to touch them.

Anyways, I digress. If you’re gonna go through that much work, just buy a wireless vibration and temperature sensor. Throw that on your engine and dyno it. Yokogawa XS770A work pretty good.


Edit:

Unpopular opinion: Grease / oil on my clothing > mystery fluid on my SO’s scrubs.
 
Some may be better that others but choosing any major brand of proper oil will give almost the same results.
 
Last edited:
In my opinion the answer is YES and NO.
As long as the rating matches what your car needs ANY store or name brand oil will work just fine. The problem is when a odd brand oil is trusted, or not enough attention is paid to what the engine requires. Using SN oil where SP oil is required for example. If your manufacturer says change the oil at 9000 miles with SP oil that's fine. Adequate protection should be had, However, as many said the numbers do matter. My dad used Sears oil for thousands of miles years ago. Mostly city and occasional towing. Who make there oil? Kendal. He relied on mechanic which used something different and I'm sure other brands were used as well. My point. The engine never had the heads off or a bearing changed in its nearly 300000 mile journey before it was passed on to a relative where it was sold. of course that was years ago when a 3000 mile oil change was the norm and it was a 350 Chevy. Cleanliness is key. Follow the mileage and or the date. Acids eat bearing as well
 
I see a doctor nearly every day, I say nearly because I travel alot. But I at least talk to her every day. We’ve been together for years. The only time she’s ever had a stethoscope around, ever, was her medical school graduation however long ago that is.

The whole white lab coat, stethoscope thing might apply to primary care. But from my experiences… most doctors don’t use one. Also, scrubs are nasty. I don’t understand the people who like the way they look, however I will advise you not to touch them.

Also, they used to ALWAYS look into your ears, and check your throat with a tongue depressor. No longer. It impedes the "3 minute rule" most doctors spend with their patients these days. Today it's all about, "Next!... Next!... Next!
 
2-3-4 non-boutique
2-3-4 boutique

My Mom once said I was accidentally dropped when born. Then she said she loves the way I rebounded from it.
I’m still using the excuse that I fell out of my high chair when I was a baby.
Actually I got hit with a pressure cooker lid.

It sounds better than I was born this way.
 
Sounds to me like a fresh quart every 1000 miles? You could go YEARS between changes with that refresh schedule! ;)
I've done this with a Toyota I had a long time ago. After 100k I just got tired of changing the oil :) so I would just change the filter and top off every 3K and then full OC every 21k or so. Put another 100k on it doing this. The oil was typically dark brown.
 
I've done this with a Toyota I had a long time ago. After 100k I just got tired of changing the oil :) so I would just change the filter and top off every 3K and then full OC every 21k or so. Put another 100k on it doing this. The oil was typically dark brown.
If the oil, you are using meets rather than recommended or suitable for then I see so issue using any well-known brand of oil. In my view specifications from the vehicle manufacturer should be your go to guide for the specifications
 
Also, they used to ALWAYS look into your ears, and check your throat with a tongue depressor. No longer. It impedes the "3 minute rule" most doctors spend with their patients these days. Today it's all about, "Next!... Next!... Next!
Yeah, I just had an exam at a very modern heart institute - whilst they used several sophisticated instruments/machines - the heart doctor still used a stethoscope in the mix …
 
Here is the OP

IMG_0068.webp
 
There probably isn't a correct answer,to each his own.I will tell you what works for me.2019 VW. Tiguan,bought new,still have it.65,000 miles on it.Many very local trips,once a week a 50 mile round trip.VW. says 10,000 mile changes.I can make 10,000 without adding but,doing a Polaris OA. puts me in the red alert for fuel dilution.5,000 mile changes keep me in the good.I got a 6 year,72,000 warrenty because of diesel gate.I do all dealer service.Ive done about 8 OA.The way I drive and the technology of the engine kind of forces me to do the 5,000 changes.My service records maybe will regroup a bit of money when I trade,although I'm happy that I did the best I could for my situation. VW.started out with Castrol,then switched to Mobil 0w-20.I'm retired and thats why I drive like I do.I bought this car after retiring.
 
TLDR: I like crawling under my cars and changing oil at 5k. My mercedes-benz Amgs get the same treatment as my Honda. Oil can go 10k+ but that doesn't mean people will blindly following MINIMUM recommendations. Same thing can be said for using an oil with a higher HT HS than what is the minimum recommendation. Oil life monitors are idiot reminders, not what is best for a vehicle.
 
Back
Top Bottom