Looking for oil sugestions- '95 Camry

[JustinC25]

I am looking for some oil sugestions.
I drive a '95 Toyota Camry 4 cyl (5S-FE).
I do a 3k oci with a factory filter and conventional oil.
I only do short trips (2 to 7 miles)back and forth to work.
I was driving 20 miles each way on Castrol GTX 10w30. And had been using it since my engine was rebuilt.
On my last oil change I used Mobil 7500 5w30 to try to save gas, and the Mobil (2.89/qt) was cheaper than the Castrol(2.99/qt). I figured that a thinner oil and a semi-syn may improve my gas mileage.
I am looking for a good oil that will hold up to the short trips that I do, but also one that is cost effective.
I am only interested in conventional oils.
I have been looking at Havoline, Motorcraft, Shell, and Castrol. Which do you think has the best add pack? I have read that the Havoline has a lot of moly, but the Castrol doesn't have much. Motorcraft seems to be a favorite on this site. I use the M/C 5w20 in my wife's Windstar.
Oh before I forget, I live in NH so the weather range is quite deverse. (-20 in Jan to 90 in Aug).
My Camry has 212k but I rebuilt the engine at 165,230 miles.
Sorry for the long post, but I have been thinking about this alot, as I am going to do my oil change this saturday.(1/27)

Any sugestions would helpful.

Thanks in advance,
Justin

 

[Stainless]

Pennzoil Platinum 5w30. It is buy one, get one free, until Jan 27th at Advance Auto Parts. That works out to $2.89 per quart. Buy a STASH, clean out some stores. That's what I did.

I know you said, "I am only interested in conventional oils." Even though PP is marketed as "Synthetic", it is a Group III oil, which is just highly refined dino.

Also, pick up a case of filters from www.fleetfilter.com They have awesome prices. I also buy my filters by the case from them.

You can start a darn good BITOG stash in one swoop: clean out an Advance Auto parts, and get a case fron fleet filter... then put it all on a shelf, and TAKE PICS.... (not that I do that)

 

[Mike242GT]

If it were my car, and I were doing a 3K OCI on conventional oil, I think I'd pick among those you listed based solely on price. All would be decent choices. In fact, I'd probably go with a jug of Supertech 5w30. That's what I've been running in my N/A Volvo red block engines, but out to a 5K/6mo OCI.

 

[KBFXDLI]

Walmart-Valvoline 5w30 is $9.97/5qt jug then get a Super Tech filter for $2.25 you got 5000 miles for <$13

 

[JustinC25]

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Walmart-Valvoline 5w30 is $9.97/5qt jug then get a Super Tech filter for $2.25 you got 5000 miles for

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I may end up buying a 5 qt jug from Walmart. Though I only need 3.8 qts. But if I can get an extra quart for free, I might as well. As far as filters are concerned, I found a stash of the old prius filters at work. I can have one of the GOOD oem filters for $1.99 (Just a perk of working at a Toyota dealer)

Thanks for your response.

 

[wavinwayne]

I'd use Supertech 5w30 & a Supertech filter. Happy driving.

 

[Mokanic]

Of the ones you listed I would have to stick with Havoline. It can be found just about anywhere and is frequently put on sale. The used oil analysis are impossible to beat for an oil of that price range(1.89-2.50 qt.) The new DepositShield has not gone up in price as many expected(at least not yet)and its hard not to like it for the price. Of course if you want to spend more money there are all kinds of options but for short intervals Havoline is hard to beat for what you get.

 

[vronline]

I would stick with the factory filter that you are using since they "close up" on removal and keep the oil from spilling all over the engine.

If you have access to it, you might try TropArtic 5w30. It's $1.68 at WalMart.

 

[ProfPS]

Another option for Havoline for less is if your local Family Dollar store has Chevron. In my area they are selling it for $2.09/qt.

 

[Bill in Utah]

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I'd use Supertech 5w30 & a Supertech filter. Happy driving.

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Ditto!

I would go to 5w30 for the winter and 10w30 for the rest of the year if the 5w30 you consume a lot. If everything is good as far as using oil, 5w30 all year.

Take care, Bill

 

[benjamming]

Why was it rebuilt at 165k miles?

 

[JustinC25]

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Why was it rebuilt at 165k miles?

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Well, I purchased the car from a customer at my dealership
for $150, because it had a rod through the block.
(Due to lack of oil) I still have the #4 piston and rod.
I will try to post a pic of the rod, it looks cool.

 

[JustinC25]

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I would stick with the factory filter that you are using since they "close up" on removal and keep the oil from spilling all over the engine.

If you have access to it, you might try TropArtic 5w30. It's $1.68 at WalMart.

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I have heard all kinds of good things about TropArtic, but unfortunately it is not available in nh.

 

[KBFXDLI]

I have been using the valvoline 5w30 in the wifes Lexus v6. Runs 5000 miles perfectly w/no consumption. She now has 95000 miles and going perfect.

 

[MADMIKE]

Isn't that a known sludger? I wonder if that had anything to do with the rod through the block due to no oil? If so, I like 3K dino or 5K synthetic OCI's.

 

[Mokanic]

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Isn't that a known sludger? I wonder if that had anything to do with the rod through the block due to no oil? If so, I like 3K dino or 5K synthetic OCI's.

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Only when people choose not to change the oil in it.