How many longterm "Blenders" ?

[Ramblin Fever]

Interested to see how many longterm blenders - mixing of different viscosity or perhaps different oils - we have here on the board.

What is your opinion of doing this?

Do you think it's "truly" safe for longterm?

What are your maximum's, i.e. say in a 6qt sump, do you feel it safe to only add 1 qt of a different viscosity, or are you comfortable with more?

I'm so close to mixing a 15w40 in with a 10w30 or 5w30 in my sister's caravan - it uses a lot of oil, but can't seem to tolerate total 15w40.

 

[dkryan]

I have four quarts of GC 0w30 "gold" that I want to use. I just don't want a 12.3 cst oil in my '01 Infiniti, regardless of the fact that some folks swear Nissan V6s love a thick 30 weight.

So, I was going to take two quarts of the GC and two quarts of Mobil 1 0W30 (SL) (actually 2.3 qts) and use them for my next oil change in November.

While the additive packages are different, as is the cst, I don't think mixing the two will cause any problems, especially since I'll only do it twice, then I'll likely stay with the Mobil 1 0w-30. Then again, if the used oil analysis on that "mix" looks really good, then I'll just keep using that recipe.

Do you plan on mixing the same brand? One quart of 15w40(?) in a six quart sump with five quarts of 10w30 shouldn't hurt a thing.

Exactly how much oil is her Caravan using over what mileage? And have you tried any "high mileage" oils?

 

[dkryan]

What year is your sister's Caravan and how many miles are on it?

 

[Ramblin Fever]

Yep, it'll be Chevron 10w30 and 15w40. Not only do I want to add the HDEO for thickness, but for some cleaning ability as well.

Van is a 96 with 105K miles - burns/uses 1 qt every 2 weeks.

 

[dkryan]

How many miles in those two weeks, on average?

As for cleaning, I've never felt the need to Auto-Rx anything, though I'm sure someone may chime in and recommend that route for a more expedient and thorough cleaning.

Chevron is good oil. Are you currently running 10w30 in the van now?

 

[Audi Junkie]

I have mixed to desired visc for a long time. That's the only mixing I recommend. I just went by "feel", 10w-40 feeling too thick, 10w30 not being ideal for protection in my Euro cars.

 

[charbaby]

I've been mixing for about 30 years. I mix as many a 5 different brands at a time. I don't use synthetic oil only dino. When I complete an oil change, I tip the containers upside down and let them drain into a designated container and use that oil for the lawn mower/snow blower. Also, I would like to add that I generally use only 5W30, 10W30 and 10W40 oils from various brands including store brands. I always buy oil on sale/rebates. Trying never to pay more than .70 cents per qt. I've never experience addative clash,(that I know of), and I run most of my autos in excess of 300,000 miles doing this. Why do I do this? ....It just makes me feel good! Change the oil between 3000-5000 miles.

 

[Gary Allan]

I wonder why TallPaul hasn't chimed in here? He's a perpetual mixologist

Does this engine smoke and which engine is it?? What type of mileage does she see in two weeks? Does it have leaks (thinking of a 3.0 with all the cam seals and such that are prone to leaking in an older engine). Is the consumption flat or linear? That is, does it ALWAYS use a quart every two weeks ..even right after an oil change?

I'd start out with 4 quarts/gallon of the 15w40 and one quart of a 30 weight. Add 15w40 or 10w30 as make up as conditions warrant.

Naturally this is an ideal candidate for Auto-Rx.

If you're a dedicated mixologist, and don't mind the inconvenience of larger inventory, there's usually 10w30 HDEO available in 5 gallon pails. Then, if the oil appears to fatigue (starts using oil after xxx miles, just use the heavier weight for make up and use the 10w30 during the colder seasons. In the warmer months use a mixture biased toward the heavier weight. Essentially you choose the make up for the prevailing conditions.

 

[wavinwayne]

As long as all of the oils are rated for the engine in which they are to be used, I'll bet you could mix a different brand/viscosity oil for each qt. used & it wouldn't hurt a thing.

I mix & match in my wife's '97 Expedition all the time. The Expy doesn't seem to care what I pour in it.

 

[TallPaul]

Right now I have a mix of something about like this in the F150:

4 qts NAPA synthetic 10w30
1 qt NAPA synthetic 15w50
0.5 qt Redline 10w40
15 oz Maxlife Engine Protector.

The Aerostar has about:

3.5 qts NAPA synthetic 10w30
0.5 qt NAPA synthetic 15w50
0.5 qt Redline 10w30
and, since it consumes it has been fed
more NAPA synthetic and then
about 24 oz Valvoline Synpower 5w40.

The Motorhome has:

1 qt Maxlife Synthetic 10w30
1 qt Maxlife SAE 30
4 qts Maxlife 10w30
and maybe wee bit of Redline 10w30

Mixing if fun!

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

Blending! Blending!

 

[wavinwayne]

Currently,

My wife's Expedition 4.6L has the following in it:

5.0 qt's Valvoline Maxlife 5w30
1.0 qt. Chevron Delo 15w40
0.5 qt. Havoline synthetic 5w30

I like blending.

 

[Audi Junkie]

 

[Ramblin Fever]

Thanks for all the responses - it's pretty cool reading all the different brews!

Keep em comin'!

Tam's engine is the 3.0L, doesn't always go through 2 qts - sometimes 2.5 or 3 just depending. I'd have to say she averages 6-700 miles in a 2 week stretch.

Yes, she does have a minor leak at the valve cover gaskets, so it isn't all being burned, per say - and you never see the engine smoking.

I just literally believe that 10w30 may be too light for this engine - and I will say they are not exactly "nice" to this engine.

This is the only small V6 automatic mini-van slugger that could literally compete in a drag race - and win, with my sister behind the wheel.

Sometimes you can hear that engine just crying, giving all it's got, and I know that RXing it may be of value, but they wouldn't spend the money to do so. They're simply keeping the van alive for another year or so - though it does run good, it's just not my sister's style.

My Brother-in-law can't give the time of day to it, and I don't always have the time to check her oil all the time - I'm afraid if something thicker - slower to leak/get used - doesn't get put in soon, this thing will seize. They've come close a few times.

Some people just shouldn't own cars!

 

[TallPaul]

quote:

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Originally posted by Ramblin Fever:
Tam's engine is the 3.0L, doesn't always go through 2 qts - sometimes 2.5 or 3 just depending. I'd have to say she averages 6-700 miles in a 2 week stretch.

---

My wife's Aerostar is the 3.0 and it gets about 300 miles every two weeks. Uses up to a quart every 1000 miles. Runs great. Does scream: have had it up to 5700 rpm. Typical 10w30 is 10.5 cSt (100C). A 10w40 is around 14 cst. I try to run around a 11.5 to 12 cSt mix in the Aerostar. Will be running Maxlife Synthetic (11.5 cSt out of the bottle). Definitely would thicken things up if I were you, maybe a 50/50 10w30 and 10w40 mix.