Havoline or Motorcraft?

[otis24]

Knowing that my 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan uses almost a quart of Havoline every 1000-1200 miles, should I stick with it? I like the moly count. Or should I go whole hog on Motorcraft/TropArtic? My van only used about a half quart in 3000 miles with this oil. Does Havoline offer any advantages over Motorcraft/TropArtic? Opinions please.

 

[badtlc]

whatever is cheapest, use it.

 

[UncleS2]

If that was my car, & it used a full qt of Havoline every 1000-1200 miles, *and* it had a history of using only 1/2 qt of MC/TA in 3000 miles- well, I'd return to the MotorCraft/TropArtic in a heartbeat.

I'm not saying that MC/TA is a better motor oil than Havoline- but in *Your* van, MC/TA is obviously the better choice.

Fact is, some engines will use more of one oil, & less of another. When that shows up, I'd stick with whatever oil offered the lowest consumption.

 

[97f150]

Motorcraft is my opinion. Your van uses less oil with it, and it is a great oil.

 

[ewetho]

Yes

 

[otis24]

My last oil change was with Motorcraft. This oil change, I used up my last five quarts of Havoline 5w20. Is there any reason to suspect I would get different results with TropArtic as opposed to Motorcraft?

 

[BUBBA0420]

I would take the van back to the dealer and tell them to
FIX IT. How many miles on this van ??

 

[otis24]

I have just over 34000 miles. I purchased this van new. It has been back to the dealer and I was told that this is "normal". It is encouraging to know that at least the consumption was reduced when I switched to Motorcraft. I'm not sure I will get too far with the dealer as I was told by them "Dodge does not consider 1 quart in 300 miles to be excessive as long as it isn't fouling the plugs.". I will swtich to Motorcraft or TropArtic and hope I continue to get good results. At the very least, I did take it in for the dealer to check and my concern was noted. So, if something major developes down the road, I may still have recourse with the dealer.

 

[Auto-Union]

leaks?

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Do you plan on being 1st and last owner of this vehicle?

If not, then save some money & use SuperTech conventional - or whatever's cheapest in SM/GF4.

Just my opinion....

 

[Norm Olt]

"1 quart in 300 miles..." IS EXCESSIVE! UN-Fouled plugs or no!

Document your consumption, your concern, the repeated trips to the Stealership providing you no relief, get them to "put it in writing" & then take your car to ANOTHER dealer and get it fixed while under warranty. Start climbing the Regional Service ladder, keep a list of all your phone calls, etc.

Don't wait: do it now.

 

[otis24]

I'm not using one quart in 300 miles. If I were, believe me, I would be parked at the dealership day and night. My usage is one quart in 1000-1200 miles, which Dodge considers normal. My last oil change was with Motorcraft. Usage was 1/2 quart in 3000 miles. Very acceptable.

 

[BUBBA0420]

A quart in 1000 - 1200 miles is Not Normal. The Stealership
is trying to string you out until your warranty runs out
As Norm says DOCUMENT EVERYTHING and if you have to
get a lawyer.

 

[dave1251]

BUBBA0420 I have to disagree with you. Every manufactor GM/TOYOTA/FORD/DC/HONDA/ETC. Consider's 1 qt/1,000 miles acceptable. Go ahead and get a lawyer. Waste a lot of time and money on something that is not causing your engine to die. If he was consuming a qt of oil and had terrible performance I would be concerned. But that consumption rate and the fact that its slowed by using a diffent oil.

 

[BUBBA0420]

Dave: I have vehicles with over 150,000 miles that didn't
burn oil like that. If it isn't burning it than it is
leaking it. If GM/Toyota/ect.. is saying this is normal
they are trying to cover there butts.

 

[zrxkawboy]

Otis,
Hello fellow South Dakotan! We are few and far between here!

Stuart is right: some vehicles consume alot more of one oil than another, even though both may be great oils. Go with the one your vehicle does the best on.

Jeff

 

[otis24]

Thanks, Jeff. Good to know I'm not the only South Dakotan here. I just changed my oil to use up my last five quarts of Havoline. When I am done with it, I will switch to Motorcraft or TropArtic permanently (IN THIS VEHICLE). One half quart in 3000 miles is much better. I can live with that.