IIRC the 0w still has a bit of ester (I recall a voa showing 30 something maybe 40 oxidation value) but there are different kinds of esters and not all of them clean but the 5w has a touch higher hths and touch lower noack. Can't go wrong with either. I think the 5w is the more pragmatic and better choice.
Keeping a vehicle for the long haul…oil choice
- Thread starter BTLew81
- Start date
I’ve run a few severe service OCI’s using QSUD . It’s a smooth , quiet running oil with a lot of moly but not great at cleaning or preventing deposits ... Running VR&P could do some good .
Supertech/Kirkland vs Mobil 1? What is your source for this? The VOA is very similar.
Patman
Staff member
VOA doesn’t show you how well an oil will clean. It’s well known on here that the lower tier oils will not clean as well as the higher tier ones, even if changed often. Deposits will still begin forming when that cheaper oil is fresh.
I don't believe this. I can see this is true with conventional oil vs synthetics, but not any full synthetic that meets SP and ILSAC 6. What is this mystery ingredient that cheaper oils do not contain?
Valvoline R&P would keep your engine spotless clean and would be a good choice.
A lower cost Dexos 1 Gen 3 solution would be to use Super Tech Full Synthetic (5 quart jugs @ 18.64 at Walmart).
Very true what you said about VOA's and also true on UOA's.
Dexos 1 Gen 3 sets stricter limits for sludge/varnish accumulation than API SP. The Lubrizol website is a good reference for it.
One approach is to use a low priced Dexos 1 Gen 3 oil like Super Tech High Mileage Full Synthetic.
Super Tech also has high amounts of anti-detergent additives such as calcium, so it does clean well.
Super Tech HMFS has a low price ($18.64 US for a 5 quart jug), but it may be incorrect to classify it as a low tier oil.
The low price may be more attributed to a zero marketing budget as it's a Walmart store brand.
A full synthetic oil should flow very well in extreme cold weather.
There have been many tests done online with videos showing the best and worst flowing oils in extreme cold.
Amsoil, Pennzoil and Super Tech are always near the top as the best flowing oils in cold weather.
So perhaps extreme cold weather flow could be a good indicator of which oils fit into which tiers.
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There are tiers of formulation missing levels of quality between said tiers. It may not happen in all engines, but “passing minimums” often being the case with API ratings; doesn’t mean a perfect oil without limits as a result of “just meeting the minimums”…a lack of head room so to speak.
HPL called out OTS synthetics that simply could not clean or “run clean” as their oils are specifically formulated to do; but it comes at a cost. One doesn’t have to extend the OCI to benefit from “run clean” capabilities. Some engines are “harder on the oil” and will begin to have deposit precursors even during shorter OCIs. There is no one size fits all for every engine and use case.
However, this is where some lately have opted; for example an oil like VRP, to take out the guess work. VRP has a new additive that takes care of this real world problem occurring in engines using OTS synthetics. (Boutiques I also like for similar capabilities of “run clean” but also their capacity to extend intervals where VRP is questionable in comparison)
Sure, you could fault the problem prone engines and sometimes boutiques can still be pushed past their capacity, but it’s about repeatability and life of equipment implications. Had I known what I do now, I would’ve never extended my OCIs on cheaper OTS synthetics. Maybe M1 EP? Despite my little Honda Fit being easy on the oil, it has still experienced broken down oils leading to consumption issues all while producing superb UOAs on paper. The top end is spotless, but piston ring deposits and long term engine health begins to come into clear focus.
So, yes, in my case it was extending intervals on subpar lubes but the same happens in more demanding engines / use cases in shorter intervals. Lubes have limits and often it’s simply a price of formulation point.
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