Help me choose an oil!

[JohnnyZ52]

Hey everyone,

New to the forum and have learned quite a bit. I picked up a 2002 Grand Prix GT a year or so ago that had 134k miles and is now up to 144k or so. I had the LIM replaced as is commonly done near the end of last summer. The previous owner was selling for his son who'd only had the car about a year, before that carfax says it had one owner for the majority of the miles on it. I'm told the last owner used Mobil 1 exclusively, I have thus far used Amsoil 5w30 and right now I'm using royal purple 5w30 with a royal purple filter (obtained from a pep boys deal they offer once a year, a full oil change is around $32). I drive probably 30/70 city/highway but my city driving in the city will often occur without te engine being heated up to nominal temp.



With that out of the way, what oils do you recommend? I haven't seen much said about cleaning properties of royal purple, so I'm guessing it may not be a great oil for an eleven year old car. If suggesting Mobil 1, which type?

I don't mind spending more for peace of mind and to keep my engine clean. I've tried finding pennzoil ultra but it's not in stock anywhere near me in the metro Detroit area (except in higher priced quarts only, even then hard to find). If you'd recommend that, please say so and I'll try harder to find some.

Thanks for reading!

 

[volk06]

How long are you wanting your oil change interval? Those 3.8L do very well on 5w30.

 

[skyship]

If you look at the web sites for the major engine oil companies like Castrol, Mobil or Shell there will be a link for an oil finder page that will list the different oils they recommend. You might need to know your exact engine type in some cases.
In general terms you get what you pay for and the same is true for oil filters. With an older car that has a high oil consumption or leaks you might want to use a major brand High Mileage oil.

 

[yonyon]

It's a Buick 3800. Any major brand 5w30 (or really xW-30) that is SL or later and doesn't specifically state on it's labelling that it is intended for racing only or show a symbol displaying a circular saw cutting an engine should be fine.

 

[daman]

Your WM don't carry it? Detroit is a big place surly someplace has it.

 

[tig1]

Mobil 1 5w30 cleans as well as any oil. IMO. See the link.



http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Synthetics/Mobil_1_Sludge_Protection.aspx

 

[electrolover]

Pennzoil Platinum is my vote. Its cost effective and very good at cleaning.
If cost isnt that big of a deal I would choose Pennzoil Ultra its even better at cleaning.
If you have leaks or oil consumption go with Mobil 1 High Mileage. Its also very good at cleaning

 

[Clevy]

Any 5w30 will treat you right. If your a Mobil guy use theirs,if you like pennzoil then by all means.
I spent 6 years in Detroit. I loved that town. If doesn't get cold enough to warrant a 0w30 but it wouldn't hurt if you went that route.
The 3.8 isn't picky about oil. Decide what kind of oil change routine you want to go with. If you want to stretch out the oil changes to 10000 miles use a syn,5000 for a conventional is safe. You could stretch the oil change interval longer but I'd get a used oil analysis done just to be sure your chosen extension will work with your chosen oil.
Keep us informed. We're oil nerds and love to read about it.

 

[JohnnyZ52]

Walmart has the quarts, but didn't have a good supply the three different times I've gone into them. Thanks for the replies guys, this is a lot of help!

 

[GSCJR]

Any mainstream API 5w30 will do the trick. I owned one of those cars without any problems.