need oil/filter recommendations

[Soybomb]

I've been reading here for a while and trying to determine what I should do for my car. I thought I'd post for some help.

I have a chrysler 300m with the 3.5L engine and 145k on it. I live in the midwest and it'll get down to below freezing this winter. Its had a good life of regular oil changes at the local quick lube. I'd like to be sure that continues though. I'm thinking a synthetic oil might be good. I've also heard that the mobil 1 oil filter is quality.

What should be my oil choice? I seem to recall reading that something a diesel grade of mobil 1 was a cut above the regular stuff. Should I be trying to find that over the $30 oil change special at the auto store?

I thought once I got switched to a good oil and filter, I'd change it at 3k, run the new batch to say 5 or 6 and send it in for a UOA.

 

[Steve S]

What worked for the first 145K will work for the rest of the engines life. Just a thought.

 

[raffy]

How much oil does your 300M consume? If it's burning a lot (like say a quart every 1000 miles or so), synthetic might not be the best thing as you'll be spending a lot more money on make up oil. In that case it might be best to stick to the dino oil at the quick change place. If it doesn't burn much or any oil, go ahead with the synthetic. Your approach of changing out at 3K and then running for 5K and then following up with a UOA is sound. Share your UOA with us when you get it done!

 

[Soybomb]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
What worked for the first 145K will work for the rest of the engines life. Just a thought.

I've considered "more of the same" based on that premise but figure I might be able to prevent more wear to the engine with a better lubricant. I will probably take it to 300k miles.

Actually it really doesn't seem to be using any oil yet. I'm surprised.

 

[raffy]

Oh, to answer your question about what oil to choose: I'm partial to Amsoil (as you can tell from my signature line!), but Mobil 1 is also good (our extended family's experience). People here on BITOG also like Pennzoil Platinum, which I might try sometime as well. Any one of those should work well for you if you have a sound engine that doesn't burn a lot of oil.

Use a quality oil filter; I like Wix filters and the Amsoil EaO series filters. Wix is a bit cheaper and good quality; I'd go with that for your initial change to synthetic.

 

[EPHIOS]

Mobil 1 oil and filter combo is not a bad choice. But for the money, I would rather get a Pennzoil Platinum and PureOne oil filter combo.