I have been using M1 5W-30 on both my vehicles since their first OC. Vehicle #1 is a 2002 GMC Safari Van, currently has 72K. Vehicle #2 is a 2004 Saturn ION with 32K. I usually buy a 5 quart jug at WM for $20.87 which works out to $4.17 per quart. I live in the St. Louis area, have found an AutoZone in plentiful supply of GC 0W-30 for $4.99 a quart. Is the GC that much better than the M1? The same autozone wants $5.19 for an individual quart of original M1 5W-30 and $6.29 for M1 EP 5W30.
Matto
Fellow BITOGers, convince me.
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quote:IMHO, Yes. However..... Of course, it is totally application specific. There is NOT a "one size fits all" when it comes to an oil application. Too many variables. Give it a try...you might like it! Or not. Only one way to know for sure.
Is the GC that much better than the M1?
SWHeat,
I will probably try out the GC when I change the oil next on the ION, which won't be until it hits 35K in about 6 weeks. Am I safe to assume the AutoZone will continue to carry this or do you recommend my buying as much of it as I can ASAP like some of the others who post here?
Your Saturn ION has an engine similar to mine I think - the 2.2L Ecotec. I believe the ION has the 2.3 Ecotec...
Anyway, GC is my choice after running Mobil 1 in my vehicle... Reason: Quieter start ups. With Mobil 1 there was a lot of knocking when I started up. Apparently this is common with Ecotec engines. Second, near redline or higher rpms the engine was noticably smoother with GC.
Third - I can get GC for a few cents cheaper at AutoZone.
NO! DO NOT USE IT! But, please, post directions directly to me on where this treasure, I mean, Oil, is located. Privately, of course. ![[LOL!]](/forums/graemlins/lol.gif)
2005matto - All 13 autozone's I've visited in California have a good supply of GC Gold. From what I've gathered from talking to AutoZone employees - the stuff sells really well! Several places said they'll always carry it (can you trust them)?
I was using Amsoil ASL 5W-30 in my 2005 Tacoma. I liked it just fine but I kept reading about this "GC". I changed my oil last weekend and what a difference. Seriously. The idle is definitely smoother. I'm still waiting to claim any differences in mpg but early indications would say it's only gone up and not down. I've still got 6 quarts of the Amsoil but I'll probably sell it because I'm hooked. I found a stash of 6 quarts of the green on Friday! Gold is very plentiful.
Stay with M1. The price will be better with M1. I used GC in my wifes altima and it killed her gas mileage. I went with synpower 5w30 and her mileage returned to pre GC MPG using M1. You results will vary because it is a different engine combo than mine. Mine is a 6 and yours is a 4 but my MPG loss was substantial.
NO! DO NOT USE IT! But, please, post directions directly to me on where this treasure, I mean, Oil, is located. Privately, of course.
HELLO 2005matto!
Wake up and smell the GC!!! ![[Cool]](images/icons/cool.gif)
HELLO 2005matto!
Wake up and smell the GC!!! 2005mato,
If there is green to be found...get it becaus it cannot be replaced. Or, as Titan said....you could send me a PM with directions and I'll take a three day weekend....NOT. Or, just use the gold and let someone with experience use the green. ![[Wink]](images/icons/wink.gif)
"Is the GC that much better than the M1?"
Is Anna Nichole Smith gorgeous and uneducated? ![[Big Grin]](images/icons/grin.gif)
Gold is a new'er formulation and should be just as good as the "green" - just not as special because it lacks the great smell and green color ![[Razz]](images/icons/tongue.gif)
If money isn't an issue - use Amsoil. I've used it as well as Mobil, and currently GC. If I wasn't a college student I'd be running Amsoil because it is the best. Otherwise go with GC - cheaper than M1 at my AutoZone.
btw... ![[Welcome!]](/forums/graemlins/welcome.gif)
to BITOG 2005Matto!
If money isn't an issue - use Amsoil. I've used it as well as Mobil, and currently GC. If I wasn't a college student I'd be running Amsoil because it is the best. Otherwise go with GC - cheaper than M1 at my AutoZone.
btw... to BITOG 2005Matto! To put an end to this thread, I went with the majority here and took the plunge. I went ahead and bought 10 quarts of GC. It will be stashed in the garage for at least 6 weeks before I do my first OC with it. Just changed my Safari Van oil 500 miles ago with M1. Will try it first in my Saturn ION. With all due respect to speedtc, I will try it for at least one OCI in both my vehicles and then decide whether or not to stay with it.
quote:
Originally posted by OriginHacker21: Gold is a new'er formulation and should be just as good as the "green" - just not as special because it lacks the great smell and green color
quote:I don't know Hacker.....I have been using Amsoil for a long time. I can get it for the same price as the GC...As a matter of fact, I can get Amsoil 5w40 for $4.95 qt....and I pay $5.19 for the GC...So, it is not a money thing. I think Amsoil is not as good as all of there own in house tests suggest. Just my opinion.........
Originally posted by OriginHacker21: Gold is a new'er formulation and should be just as good as the "green" - just not as special because it lacks the great smell and green color
Coop0129 - Thanks to Pablo I became a Preferred Amsoil customer last week and see what you mean. I can now get Amsoil 5w30 cheaper than Castrol 0w30. So, I saved up a little and got 6 quarts of Amsoil's 0w30 and will use that to compare to GC's 0w30 in a 6 or 10k OCi UOA.
Yeah I don't know about all that testing but one thing for sure - it has to be a good oil. There is a guy in the UOA section who went 25k on Amsoil's 5w30 and the uoa was N I C E. He even has the same engine as I do. So it has to be good ![[Smile]](images/icons/smile.gif)
How good? dunno, but good!
EDIT:
Here is the UOA Link - 25k Amsoil 5w30:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=003323
Yeah I don't know about all that testing but one thing for sure - it has to be a good oil. There is a guy in the UOA section who went 25k on Amsoil's 5w30 and the uoa was N I C E. He even has the same engine as I do. So it has to be good How good? dunno, but good!
EDIT:
Here is the UOA Link - 25k Amsoil 5w30:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=003323Yeah, I can get it for that as well (Preferred Customer). But, I have to drive all the way to the other side of town to the Amsoil Wharehouse....It is a pain in the butt. Plus I like the GC. It may be even better than the Amsoil, and I can get it less than 2 miles from my house.
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