Off brand oils

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

Truckedup

Joined
Apr 22, 2006
Messages
199
Location
Western NY state
Probably been many threads on this......The local non chain parts store sells a "Parts Plus" brand of motor oil.Made in USA by Amalie it says on the label.It's got the usual wording saying it meets the latest specs.
I don't know anything about Amalie oil except their website says it's the best,no surprise there.
Would it be safe to assume the off brand is the same quality as the parent name brand,grade for grade?
The Parts Plus oil is $2.29 a quart,seems like a good deal for my two well used but never abused 1999 Jeep Cherokees.
 
Just looking at price point, Isnt mobil clean 5000 also around $2.30 a qt at wally world? Or Formula shell? Or even Havoline DS? PQI America might give you a hint on what's good - if you want to look at numbers like detergent load and volatility and some folks like to see 200-300ppm moly in there ...
 
I agree with you, Arco.
There are oils at this price point that are more of a known quantity, complete with VOAs and UOAs.
Also, with a little shopping, using no more than the appropriate forum on this site, the OP can easily find oil for less than this price point.
Still, if this is a convenient buy for the OP, and if the OP doesn't really feel like shopping around, the price is reasonable, and the oil is no doubt just fine.
Truckedup, do your Jeeps have the inline six?
From what I have seen here, that engine will run for a long time on any kind of oil.
 
It is likely no better or no worse than any other "store" brand oil out there... It undoubtedly won't hurt to use it.

But would it be as good as a Pennzoil, Quaker State, or Valvoline dino oil? Probably not.

It is accepted around here that NAPA's store oil is made by Ashland (Valvoline), however, it is not as robust as Valvoline's oils, with minor changes made to it.
 
There is a web site out there that gives a pretty good comparison of all the house brand motor oils. I can't find the link but maybe somebody else can and post. If I recall correctly, there were one or two brands that were out of spec on viscosity.
 
Originally Posted By: BBDartCA
There is a web site out there that gives a pretty good comparison of all the house brand motor oils. I can't find the link but maybe somebody else can and post. If I recall correctly, there were one or two brands that were out of spec on viscosity.


http://www.pqiamerica.com/
 
I don't shop at Walmart.I prefer to patronize a locally owned store that knows me by my first name.
If you do shop at a large dept store,do you drag in your nasty drain oil for "free" disposal?(NY state law)
 
I wouldn't touch it, but as long as it's not PittPen you're probably ok. lol
 
Maybe,the 4.0 Jeep inline 6 is old school AMC design from the 60's .It was designed around the oils back then.Probably run 250K on thread cutting oil...
grin.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Truckedup
I don't shop at Walmart.I prefer to patronize a locally owned store that knows me by my first name.
If you do shop at a large dept store,do you drag in your nasty drain oil for "free" disposal?(NY state law)


I buy my oil at Wal-Mart, and then I give it back to them when I'm done with it.

Fair is fair.
 
2.29 is kind of pricey... I can get havoline or something else on sale instead for the same price
 
The closest place I can buy oil is my local NAPA (less than 2 minutes away), has Wolf's Head for $1.99 per quart, with plenty of stock. I can't find anything for cheaper unless I wait around for a sale. I've wanted to try it for awhile, allot of the old timers that I grew up learning from spoke very highly of it (which probably doesn't say much, there weren't exactly tribologists after all). From what I understand it was very reputable and well known oil back in the day. They were bought out by Pennzoil and now Amalie owns it. I should just stop thinking about what I don't know and just use it. Even Quaker State can't be had for less than $2.40 a quart anymore, and that's Wall mart prices. I don't like shopping at Wal-Mart.
 
Originally Posted By: KieferS
2.29 is kind of pricey... I can get havoline or something else on sale instead for the same price


This has to be some rebate chasing here. MC 5w-20 is going for over $4 @ Advance Auto. Outside of Wally's ..name brand ..especially Havoline DS, isn't REGULARLY cheap. That's why they came up with the name change. The banging bargain that Havoline was ..just wasn't going to gain market share regardless of how cheap they sold it. Solution? Follow industry trends/advancements and nearly double the price with a new name attached.
 
IMHO, the normal factory vehicles engines can run on just about anything store brand or name brand of the proper spec. For myself, I like to stay with the oils that are held in high regurad here at BITOG and, try to buy them at the lowes price(sale, rebate, closeout/discount shelf).
 
Everyone here has to remember that the oil price in NY state might be slighly higher due to included "disposal fees" or whatever.
I don't really care about saving $1.50 on an oil change I do myself 3 times a year.What's more important is the convience of the local parts store who knows me by name and treats me like a customer.I am willing to pay a slight premium for personal service.The store also sells Kendall and Wolf's Head.And I just pull in tne back and they take my drain oil no problem.At the chain stores it can be a big deal to get them to take drain oil. They are,by law,required in this state to take it,it's in the price of new oil,but they still hassle you it seems."oh,it's so messy"
I see lot of specs on this site for major oil brands....that's good.I also see negative remarks on the off brand oil I bought,but not one remark is backed up by fact,just opinions.
Anyways,the suspect off brand oil is in the crankcase.
 
I have used many off brand oils as well although I try to buy major brands. Some of the store/off brands oils have actually made my engines quieter than the Big Boys...I don't know why!

And like yourself(Truckedup), I like personal service too but, it's harder and harder to find these days.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Truckedup
At the chain stores it can be a big deal to get them to take drain oil.

not at all. i don't ask the clerk if he will take my used oil.
i just drop it at their back door!!!! takes less than 30 seconds!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

P
Oil recommendation for high mileage Jeep G. Cherokee 4.7L with limited selection of brands and types
Replies
12
Views
873
Carlostrece
Hohn
K20C4 Oil Selection Sweepstakes is over (2022 Accord)
Replies
12
Views
1K
tolian21
W
Just bought Royal Purple 0w-40 even though I am a Mobil 1 guy because....
2
Replies
35
Views
6K
CoachRoss07
R
2025 -- (up to 4/30/2025) YTD Totals: "Post your latest oil change"
Replies
5
Views
1K
perkz
tired
Help with recommendation for motor oil for Toyota and Nissan daily drivers
2 3
Replies
54
Views
5K
tired
Back
Top Bottom