Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
But some oils leak less.
My Quest for Good Cheap Oil
- Thread starter Carlostrece
- Start date
I
nsee. I’d stick with Maxlife blend then.
That's conventional oil. If you want to run that, I guess that is up to you. But I am going for an apples to apples comparison.
Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
I don't. There nearest Costco is a 1 hour drive away. Walmart (10 blocks away) is my Costco. I think there's fewer Costco in small towns and more Walmarts.
I run it with zero hesitation in both of my Toyota motors that are ~20 years old. Both have seen various conventional's throughout their entire service life. No issues.
If you haven't had issues, I can see why you're still running it. Personally I'm convinced of the benefits of synthetic oil. In my experience, you don't have a problem...until you do. Then you can't go back in time and run something else. My PO ran conventional for >200k miles, so I'm dealing with a ton of varnish cleanup.I run it with zero hesitation in both of my Toyota motors that are ~20 years old. Both have seen various conventional's throughout their entire service life. No issues.
I'm convinced as well, particularly with Valvoline Restore and Protect. I'll eventually try it out. I had the valve cover off my 1ZZ last year - didn't see anything at all concerning, so at least the top end is clean.
What oil change interval did the PO of your vehicle run?
Over a 10-20+ year period, and who knows how many owners, being consistent with changing oil every 6 months or every 5k miles (whichever comes first) can be a challenge.
Unfortunately my PO didn't give me any records. The engine is varnished as I can see through the fill hole. I will know more whenever my valve cover gasket leak gets bad enough that I have to replace that. I'll get some good pics. I want to do a few rounds of Valvoline Restore and Protect first though so I can see what it looks like after some cleanup.
I called the quick lube place that he used (from the sticker on the windshield), and they were kind enough to let me know he'd done annual oil changes with dino as far back as they could see. It's only averaged 10k a year over its life, but I don't really know how those were distributed other than a single data point from a recall done 8 years ago. Since then it was averaged 4k a year. Other than that, I don't have much to go on. Not a ton in Carfax.
I'd go with NAPA. It's made by Valvolene but there's discussion here that it's likely not the same as branded Valvolene. Either way it's quailty, less money than name brands and I like NAPA.
I ran a lot of Chevron Supreme in my Volvos in the 1980's, 1990's and early 2000's and would do it again. I stuck with 5000 OCI's and was fine. In the 80's I could get "Lee 2-Stage oil filters" from U-Save Auto Parts.
I'd use Conoco-Phillips (Phillips 66, Motorcraft, Honda, Kendall). If you run 2 cycle engines, check out their 2 cycle oils word is they are very good.
Not a fan of WalMart but there are a lot of Supertech (Highline/Warren Performance Packaging) fans here. Costco is also Warren. Maybe Advance Auto Parts as well.
FVP / Factory Motor Parts is made by Calumet. Calumet is a contract refiner / blender for Castrol/BP. Calumet also makes Tru Fuel for 2 and 4 cycle engines and a bunch of specialty lubes and products.
Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
After looking at specs, I think NAPA Full Synthetic is Valvoline Extreme Protection Full Synthetic in a NAPA bottle.
It's the same price as Valvoline Extended Protection Full Synthetic at Walmart. Same oil too, IMO.
I used to use Chevron Supreme. My Jeep & Buick used/lost more oil with it than with other brands. I'm not a Chevron oil fan.
I agree all those are good, especially Ken Doll oil.
Warren is OK, IMO.
Any oil that meet the spec, fully synthetic group III or PAO cocktail is always Ok. No need to pay extra for something we only speculate.
For me, Cheapest oil that meet the spec Dexos1gen3, DexosD, or API SP every 5-10k miles is better than paying 3x more expensive oil and do 10-20k miles.
More importantly, what works for us, keep it that way. Used Oil analysis won't be able to get the sample of the crude and gunk on the piston rings. That deposit keeps piling in unless we really use oil that can deal with soot and gunk like Valvoline RP or ACEA grade oil.
To prevent stuck piston rings, 5k OCI is the best prevention.
For me, Cheapest oil that meet the spec Dexos1gen3, DexosD, or API SP every 5-10k miles is better than paying 3x more expensive oil and do 10-20k miles.
More importantly, what works for us, keep it that way. Used Oil analysis won't be able to get the sample of the crude and gunk on the piston rings. That deposit keeps piling in unless we really use oil that can deal with soot and gunk like Valvoline RP or ACEA grade oil.
To prevent stuck piston rings, 5k OCI is the best prevention.
Not in this case. You pay a 5% premium over the listed sale price however.
And if you can’t find a way to save money overall by shopping at Costco, even when paying for the membership, then you’re doing it wrong. We even get enough of a rebate from the executive membership to completely cover our membership fee.
Patman
Staff member
There are so many great ways to save money at Costco. Just last weekend my girlfriend brought two BBQ propane tanks to Costco for a fill up and they were both nearly empty and it only cost $20 Canadian ($14.43 US) to fill both of them!!
Yes that is Amsoil's lowest grade oil. Their products are top notch. I was using Mobil 1 15W50 in my snapper garden tractor with the Tuff Torq K57 transmission. Needed to change it about every 3-4 months of use at about 50% thorugh the top vent using vaccum extractor. Swtich to Amsoil Hydrostatic 20W50 again 50% and goinf strong 4 years later. Mower would stop climbing my steep hill that's how I knew it needed changed. The Mobil 1 would come out clear and thin looking like water. I don't always use it but know Amsoil is worth the cost if you extend you change intervals and can save you money vs more frequent lower costing products.
Still costs more than TGMO from my local dealer during an online Toyota parts 25% off sale
Nothing against Costco. I've been a member. Great way to save money on some things. Not everything. Also a great way to spend money in general.
Yeah you have to have a little self control. I've had friends stop renewing their membership because they always bought too much random stuff every time they were there. We just go in with a list and buy our usual groceries and get out.
Patman
Staff member
I’m a rare breed of Costco shopper who usually only buys one or two items at a time, and only when they are on sale. The person who checks my receipt at the exit usually says “wow, you got out of here with just this only?”
NAPA oil is made by Valvoline or it was. I used their 15-40 in my boat engine a lot and not one problem. A lot of budget oils like Kirkland and Super Tech are made by Warren products.