Oil Options for 100k+ Geo Prism

[Marshalus]

I recently decided to take over the oil changes of my fiancee's 1.8L 96 Geo Prism LSi. It's got just a little over 100k miles and has been serviced pretty regularly (3-4k miles or 3-4 months) by a shop in town that does really good work.

They have been putting Chevron Supreme 10W30 in it for as long as I can remember. I was thinking about running a round of AutoRX in it with a round of Chevron Supreme or SuperTech 5w30 conventional and then switching it over to synthetic using Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 -- then extending the OCI to around 7500 miles, but even with PP that seems pretty expensive.

Should I maybe look at just using a syn-blend oil, maybe Castrol SynthBlend 5w30? What kind of OCI should I be shooting for with a blend in this engine?

She doesn't do much highway driving, maybe an occasional trip to grandmas, it's mostly just to and from school and work. We need this car to last for a couple more years until shes done with her Master's degree and we can afford to buy a new one. The Toyota four banger in it would probably run forever on spit if it had to, but I'm trying to cut off any problems before they arise.

I put GC 0W30 in my Passat 1.8T, but that seems like overkill for the Geo. Maybe I'm wrong and should just go with the best?

It'd probably make it easier to start buying in bulk.

Also, on a related note, anyone have any recommendations on filters for this car? I was planning on a PureOne (PL14476) as I've always seen good things about those. Prior to my Passat I used to have a Toyota Corolla that was the sister car of this Geo, but I just put in what ever Jiffy Lube felt like putting in there, so I have no experience to draw from there

 

[Marshalus]

Oh yeah, why is Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 like 2x the price of Pennzoil Platinum 10W30?

 

[Drew99GT]

I have a 94 Corolla with the 1.8L. Honestly, I would just keep on keepin on with conventional oil. Synthetic or synthetic blends are likely not gonna make a difference in terms of 2 years worth of longevity in an engine that, well, could go that distance on spit

When I changed the timing belt on mine at 120K recently, the engine was spotless, the cam shafts looked pristine, and only 4 valves were out of spec (had never been adjusted before). All this motor has ever seen is el cheapo conventional oil and the previous owner's records indicated oil change intervals sometimes as high as 6,000 miles. I would go to a 5w30 in Lawrence Kansas in the winter though (below 0 temps may be right around the corner later this week).

As far as filters, I have been a Purolator fan for years but no more; their quality control is sub par as paint peels off the filter can and ends up in the filter. I would recommend either Wix or Supertech. I have a Supertech on my car currently and it looks to be constructed like a tank!

Auto-RX might be a good idea; these motors are known to build up piston ring deposits which lead to oil consumption, although I've done 3 Auto-RX cycles and my engine still consumes about a quart/1,000 miles. Does yours consume oil?

As far as oil change interval, the manual calls for 3750 severe. I'd go 4,000 mile intervals based on her driving situation. If she hasn't reached 4K by say, 6 months and you're itchin for somethin to do, I'd change it. Got to be the easiest car to change oil on!

 

[Marshalus]

94 1.8L Corolla, sniff, sniff, my baby

(I actually sold the car to my parents so I can go see it anytime I want.) hehe... In reality, what ever I end up doing to this car I may end up doing to that car as well, or trying to convince my dad to do.

As far as the 2 years go, I'd like to keep it beyond the 2 years that's just a worse case timing

I may just do one run with the PP and see what happens, I mean what's the worse that could happen? I will be going to the 5W30, based mostly on the upcoming weather and I think it'll be a better all around oil. From what I've read 10W30 is "old school"

Her car doesn't really ever eat up oil too bad. She'll be down a 1/2 quart at the most over an entire OCI. To be honest, I have not ever checked it as religiously as I do my Passat (like once a week).

Personally I use Mann filters on my Passat, but it's German, so it's almost required

(Mannolator!)

 

[Drew99GT]

I didn't mean if you use conventional oil, ti will only last another 2 years. I just assumed you were gonna keep it about 2 more years. I plan on keepin mine until it DIES! 300K, 500K, 1 MILLION miles??? We shall see...

 

[Marshalus]

Quote:

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I didn't mean if you use conventional oil, ti will only last another 2 years. I just assumed you were gonna keep it about 2 more years. I plan on keepin mine until it DIES! 300K, 500K, 1 MILLION miles??? We shall see...

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Oh yeah, I know. I'm pretty sure it has more then 2 years left it in, even with the crappiest conventional I could find.

 

[Steve S]

What is wrong with the oil that worked for the first 100,000 miles?

 

[slalom44]

Stick with what she's been using. I gave my '95 Corolla DX (with the same 1.8 liter 7AFE engine)to my kid earlier this year after putting 295,000 miles on it. Here's a picture of the engine after 205,000 miles using mostly SuperTech oil and filters:

If it has 100K miles, she'll need a new timing belt. You will need to pull the cover off to access it, so you can see what I'm talking about!

 

[mitchcoyote]

Chevron Supreme 10w30 is an excellent oil and will be fine in 0 degree temperatures.....

 

[Drew99GT]

Chevron Supreme 5w30 would be better. Especially when it goes below 0, which it usually does a couple times a year on the great plains.

I have the same car and it does not like starting below 0 with 10w30.