If your new car calls for a current API spec 5w30 conventional oil, is there any difference between any of the choices at your local auto parts store if the oil in the bottle meets the spec and is a 5w30? I understand that people have their preferences but with all the entanglements of ownership between brands and the fact that stocks and additives come from common sources what could the difference be?
Is there any real difference?
- Thread starter OneEyeJack
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The differences are in formulation approach. Some oils have moly, some don't; some have soduium, some don't, some have boron some don't. From a practical approach the difference won't make an ant hill for the warranty minded oil changer.
OTOH, Beer all comes from the same basic ingredients, no big difference between those.... 8)
OTOH, Beer all comes from the same basic ingredients, no big difference between those.... 8)
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There really isnt that much difference between oils.Any oil that is API certified has to meet the same standards regardless of whether it is a name brand or a house brand.
Some oils may give you a longer time between OCI's but that is really about it.If you look at some of the reports on Super Tech oil,you can find some really good results,it does just as well if not better than some of the name brands.There are some on the board that have used Super Tech for a long time and have had really good results with it.
It really comes down to how much money you want to spend on advertising,the name brands have higher costs and one reason is,advertising.
The house brands and private oil companies have a lower cost and dont advertise as much if any.Warren Performance Products for example is one of the companies that makes Super Tech and they also make their own oil,it seems to be a very good oil but you seldom if ever see anything about Warren unless it is on a forum.
You also have to consider that some of the house brands may be made by one of the big name companies.Super Tech oil is also made by Exxon/Mobil.While it isnt the same formula that you would get if you bought their name brand of oil,it is most likely a very good product.
It is really a matter of the length of the OCI that you want to do.Most any house brand oil will get you 4-5,000 miles between OCI's under normal driving conditions.
The question is,are you getting any better protection by getting a name brand? Maybe and maybe not,especially if you do the 4-5K oci.
Some oils may give you a longer time between OCI's but that is really about it.If you look at some of the reports on Super Tech oil,you can find some really good results,it does just as well if not better than some of the name brands.There are some on the board that have used Super Tech for a long time and have had really good results with it.
It really comes down to how much money you want to spend on advertising,the name brands have higher costs and one reason is,advertising.
The house brands and private oil companies have a lower cost and dont advertise as much if any.Warren Performance Products for example is one of the companies that makes Super Tech and they also make their own oil,it seems to be a very good oil but you seldom if ever see anything about Warren unless it is on a forum.
You also have to consider that some of the house brands may be made by one of the big name companies.Super Tech oil is also made by Exxon/Mobil.While it isnt the same formula that you would get if you bought their name brand of oil,it is most likely a very good product.
It is really a matter of the length of the OCI that you want to do.Most any house brand oil will get you 4-5,000 miles between OCI's under normal driving conditions.
The question is,are you getting any better protection by getting a name brand? Maybe and maybe not,especially if you do the 4-5K oci.
There are some differences in the composition of the products, depending on which additives were cheaper to buy at the time one was bottled versus another, which manufacturer supplied the base stocks, etc., but the API spec doesn't require a certain formulation, just certain parameters the finished product has to meet and there are some limits on how much of some additives are allowed, etc. How each manufacturer gets to the spec varies to some degree, but you can use any product that meets the engine manufacturer's spec without worries. I tend to use name-brand conventionals, but you could probably save a few bucks and just use whatever oil meets the spec at the lowest price. The engine will survive just fine that way.
JHZR2
Staff member
For some applications and use profiles, all are the same; for others, especially higher performing or on drain interval engines, the options are more specific.
Originally Posted By: ZZman
There is a difference especially if you run longer than the 3,000 mile oil change.
The additive packs in oils are different and many are much more stout than others especially in TBN and detergents.
Exactly,,there's meeting a spec and then there's meeting a spec,,some do it better then others with better levels of additives.
you get what you pay for,is the dollar stores $1 API SM no brand oil is good as say Mobils or Pennzoil or Maxlife,etc,etc..i highly dought it.
There is a difference especially if you run longer than the 3,000 mile oil change.
The additive packs in oils are different and many are much more stout than others especially in TBN and detergents.
Exactly,,there's meeting a spec and then there's meeting a spec,,some do it better then others with better levels of additives.
you get what you pay for,is the dollar stores $1 API SM no brand oil is good as say Mobils or Pennzoil or Maxlife,etc,etc..i highly dought it.
But, if you do the manufacturer's oci then there may just be no difference.
Are oil requirements for cars that use an on board oci monitor different than a similar model without such a device?
Are oil requirements for cars that use an on board oci monitor different than a similar model without such a device?
Originally Posted By: OneEyeJack
But, if you do the manufacturer's oci then there may just be no difference.
Your still doing it tho on the same level of quality/protection no matter what the length of OCI is.
if i was doing 100 mile OCI i STILL would want a quality oil and not a watered down get me by oil.
the miles are still adding up.
But, if you do the manufacturer's oci then there may just be no difference.
Your still doing it tho on the same level of quality/protection no matter what the length of OCI is.
if i was doing 100 mile OCI i STILL would want a quality oil and not a watered down get me by oil.
the miles are still adding up.
Ahh, this topic has been beaten to death
But since it's up and walking again..
According to Blackstone (whom I will not bash, but do see why some people choose to), Oil is Oil.
As long as you are using an oil that meets your manufacturer specifications, and you drain it in accordance to your maintenance schedule, you will be just fine.
So if your dollar store no name oil has the viscocity you need, with the approval ratings your car requires, dump it in and drive it like you stole it.
Just change it on time.
According to Blackstone (whom I will not bash, but do see why some people choose to), Oil is Oil.
As long as you are using an oil that meets your manufacturer specifications, and you drain it in accordance to your maintenance schedule, you will be just fine.
So if your dollar store no name oil has the viscocity you need, with the approval ratings your car requires, dump it in and drive it like you stole it.
Just change it on time.
Originally Posted By: Virtuoso
According to Blackstone (whom I will not bash, but do see why some people choose to), Oil is Oil.
As long as you are using an oil that meets your manufacturer specifications, and you drain it in accordance to your maintenance schedule, you will be just fine.
So if your dollar store no name oil has the viscocity you need, with the approval ratings your car requires, dump it in and drive it like you stole it.
Just change it on time.
Couldn't have said it any better than that!
According to Blackstone (whom I will not bash, but do see why some people choose to), Oil is Oil.
As long as you are using an oil that meets your manufacturer specifications, and you drain it in accordance to your maintenance schedule, you will be just fine.
So if your dollar store no name oil has the viscocity you need, with the approval ratings your car requires, dump it in and drive it like you stole it.
Just change it on time.
Couldn't have said it any better than that!
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