More words of wisdom from the AZ counterguy!

JohnnyG · Feb 7, 2005

I wanted to try a new GF-4 SM rated oil on my next change, so I went searching for a new oil. Finally found some Pennzoil "Timed Released Protection" 10w30 (for the Northstar) at the local AZ. I take my stuff up to the counter and tell the guy at the register that this was the first SM rated oil I've found. The guy says "Yeah, it's the same oil, it's just that the makers are changing the packaging to the newer ratings". I paid my money and walked out.

Marlin · Feb 7, 2005

He may be right to a degree. Chances are the oil changes before they run out of bottles/labels. So there is probable a good deal of GF4 in GF3 bottles.

k1xv · Feb 7, 2005

I believe the contents of the Shell Synthetic Rotella 5w-40 gallon was CI-4 while the old packaging still said CH-4.

Seem to recall something about that on the Shell Rotella site.

integrare · Feb 7, 2005

I was just at AZ, overheard a guys telling a customer "...Pennzoil and Valvoline are the same oil."

jsharp · Feb 7, 2005

My son starts at Autozone tomorrow. Part time work while he's in college. I'm *really* looking forward to the stories...

DR · Feb 7, 2005

Not AZ, but I had an guy at Advance Auto tell me that Castrol GTX was the only oil that didn't use wax for a base. He said I might as well "pour a candle" into my car as opposed to using Quaker State. What's worse, the other guy working there backed him up! I bought my QS and laughed all the way out.

jthorner · Feb 7, 2005

I think that parts counter guys are even less reliable as sources of information than is your average used car salesman!

John

Vstrom · Feb 7, 2005

Drifting way off topic here, but-
Overheard a manager at a local Tire Kingdom telling a female customer in the market for a new truck that the Nissan Titan and Ford F150 come off the same assembly line and are the same vehicle under the skin. This is really scary since these guys do oil changes and brake work too! Lets hope his techs know more than he does

BlazerLT · Feb 7, 2005

Never believe counter monkeys.

Most are part pushers that can't even change their own oil.

Scott P · Feb 7, 2005

I can't say that I've ever had anything like that happen to me at any parts store. I've never tried to ask aboout German Castrol, GF ratings or anything else to that matter. The only thing I asked about was the Valuecraft filters at AZ. The counter guy told me it was junk. I had a Bosch Premium anyways in my hand. They just looked very similar.

T-Keith · Feb 7, 2005

When I bought my GC:

AZ guy:
"0w30, you know as soon as you change it, it's going to start warming up."
Me:
"that's OK"

-T

oilpan49 · Feb 7, 2005

I had 1 instance myself

Last summer If I remember right I Went to AZ to pickup some M1. I go to the counter to check out. This is where it all beings:

AZ weirdo

In a fast voice with a straight face) Quaker State or even Coastal is so much cheaper and will work just as well.

Me: Mobil1 is pure a PAO based synthetic. Meaning it should help keep the engine cleaner and better overall climate protection.

AZ guy

Fast voice) Just change your oil every 2500 miles and this will work just as well.

Me: Ok

I'm not saying I know it all because I belong here but I feel I do know more than "joe consumer" Takes all kinds ya know,,,,AR

AstroVic · Feb 8, 2005

The reality of the matter is this:

Everyone has an opinion on oil/filters. Most of us on here have probably changed our opinions on several products.

For instance, I am more impressed with dino oils such as Chevron Supreme, Motorcraft, and Havoline, etc., than I was before I joined this board. Additionally, I realize that there really ARE other synthetics besides Mobil 1 - Royal Purple, GC, AMSOIL. Finally, I am convinced that it doesn't take ten bucks to buy a high quality oil filter.

A year or two ago, I might not have felt the same way, so whenever someone wants to give me advice, I usually listen to what they have to say and then go with the route that *I* think is best.

Example: In my beater car (158,000 miles), I've been running Royal Purple and Motorcraft FL820S filters. Lately, I've been thinking that it would be smarter to just switch over to Chevron/Havoline or possibly TropArtic - Heck, maybe even SuperTech! - oil with SuperTech filters.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go to my garage and sniff some oil to see how it smells. God, this board is great!

SSDude · Feb 8, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by T-Keith:
When I bought my GC:

AZ guy:
"0w30, you know as soon as you change it, it's going to start warming up."
Me:
"that's OK"

-T

A few days ago an AutoZone clerk told me that I should use Castrol 10w-40 because 0w30 was too thin.

Leo · Feb 8, 2005

Reminds me of a guy who said LS1s were unreliable ('all blowing up' as he said) because 10W30s were used instead of a thicker grade!!

vwoom · Feb 8, 2005

Well this one's a countergal aka Ms Mgr in one AZ.

I ask this one AZ guy if they can match one store I got the GCs for a $1(they have it for $5.39-pushing my luck)..he then refers it to the manager(Miss).

I then turned to her if she could do the $1 each for me. I offered to buy whatever they have left and added that this wt is not popular in SoCal clime anyways...

She countered, "Well, these oils aren't actually cheap. In fact these are used as first fill oils in new European cars..". So in other words, a NO...I said ok. I thanked her then I left.

Boy, this gal knows her stuff well(Could it be she owns a 1.8T?. Knows the Castrol SLX first fill?...). She's better than the clueless counter goons I spoke to..

I wonder..maybe she's a Bitogeress.

[ February 09, 2005, 06:20 AM: Message edited by: vwoom ]

mechtech · Feb 8, 2005

How about a BITOGETTE? Or FEBITOG?

Pablo · Feb 9, 2005

quote:

this gal knows her stuff well

She probably is lurking right now!

3000GT VR-4 · Feb 9, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by T-Keith:
When I bought my GC:

AZ guy:
"0w30, you know as soon as you change it, it's going to start warming up."-T

Hmm. Just pouring it out of the bottle makes the oil heat up, huh? Guess I won't need a block heater then!

SSDude · Feb 9, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by vwoom:
Well this one's a countergal aka Ms Mgr in one AZ.

I ask this one AZ guy if they can match one store I got the GCs for a $1(they have it for $5.39-pushing my luck)..he then refers it to the manager(Miss).

I then turned to her if she could do the $1 each for me. I offered to buy whatever they have left and added that this wt is not popular in SoCal clime anyways...

She countered, "Well, these oils aren't actually cheap. In fact these are used as first fill oils in new European cars..". So in other words, a NO...I said ok. I thanked her then I left.

Boy, this gal knows her stuff well(Could it be she owns a 1.8T?. Knows the Castrol SLX first fill?...). She's better than the clueless counter goons I spoke to..

I wonder..maybe she's a Bitogeress.

Where did you get GC for $1?

I'm still looking.

More words of wisdom from the AZ counterguy!

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