Oil pros and cons

[VicL]

Ok, I have a question and the topic should more appropriately be called PP vs M1, but I'm really interested in the pros and cons of each. Over the last 4 years I've been pretty consistently using M1 in whatever grade the car mfg called for. Currently I have a 2009 Accord and a 2009 Civic, and they both call for 5W-20. Driving for both vehicles is about 50% city and 50% highway miles. The Accord runs about 16k miles annually, the Civic gets about 12k.

After joining this site I've seen a big fanbase of PP that I didn't know existed. The price difference for me is only $1 - I tend to buy my oil from the local wal-mart due to their unbeatable prices. I've recently wondered if there is a good reason to switch oils. I'm not looking for the BEST oil, as that question IMO is always a little vague and calls for too many variables to consider. But I'd appreciate if some of you knowledgeable people could just give me the pros and cons of these two.

BTW, I know there's a tendency for some people to say "do a search 'cuz this has been discussed"..... I've already tried some searches can can't find quite what I am looking for.

Thanks,
Vic

 

[dsmith41]

Pick one. Doesn't matter.

I say four pages. Easy.

 

[Ben99GT]

If you posted this topic last year it probably would have been a lot more interesting.

It's all personal preference, I'd try them both and see which one you like better. If you don't notice any differences between them, buy which is cheaper.

 

[stenerson]

Both great oils that offer more than enough protection.

 

[BovineScapegoat]

PP is da bomb!

Just kidding. I use PP in my mazda but I'm sure M1 is good too. I have no data. Just opinion. Happy motoring.

 

[VicL]

Originally Posted By: stenerson
Both great oils that offer more than enough protection.

I've seen other posts that said basically the same thing. But there are some stout defenders of M1, and equally stout advocates of the PP. I'm just wondering what actual differences there are -- such as is one better at cleaning that the other, does one maintain viscosity longer than the other?

 

[Johnny]

The difference between regular Mobil 1 5W-20 and Pennzoil Platinum 5W-20 is minimal. If you want to use something in 5W-20 that is stouter than both of these, try the Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w20.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

The Honda or toyota brand 0w-20 should slaughter either oil you mention due to antiscuff agents that activate at much lower temps. I see this as a major benefit vs. additisation chemsitry current PP and M1 utilise.

 

[tig1]

If it wasn't for M1 I would use PP and drop back to 8000 mile OCIs. M1 has always been good for 10,000 mile OCIs for me, but the PP has a good reputation here by many.

 

[CourierDriver]

take an oil sample at 5000 miles using one oil and then the other and send them in for analysis, does not do anygood to talk it without an report from the lab, thats what gulf coast filter company does for 18 wheelers...........sky

 

[Johnny]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
The Honda or toyota brand 0w-20 should slaughter either oil you mention due to antiscuff agents that activate at much lower temps. I see this as a major benefit vs. additisation chemsitry current PP and M1 utilise.


I highly doubt it, but if you have proof of this I will be most interested.

 

[lewdwig]

Both are good.

To do a better search via Google:

 

[Hermann]

Sure do hope the PP wins, as I have two 5qt jugs next in line.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: VicL
I've seen other posts that said basically the same thing. But there are some stout defenders of M1, and equally stout advocates of the PP. I'm just wondering what actual differences there are -- such as is one better at cleaning that the other, does one maintain viscosity longer than the other?

The fact that there are stout defenders doesn't necessarily mean there's actually a difference worth arguing over.

A lot of it is really just based on rumors that took on lives of their own and were repeated enough to sound credible. All the "facts" asserted one way or the other have been either disproven or shown to be largely baseless.

If one of them meets the specs for your vehicle and the other one doesn't, then use the one that does. Otherwise, there probably won't be a difference worth noting.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Vic,

Let's see...

2 Hondas. Both 5w-20 and have OLMs. 50/50 use. In Georgia.

Likes to shop at Walmart.

Answer...

Neither!

Go buy a few 5qt jugs of MotorCraft 5w-20 blend for $11.50 a jug BEFORE the price jumps up and use it. Your engines will be protected just as well and last just as long as if you ran PP or Mobil 1.

Really!

Take care, bill

 

[Ben99GT]

I can't wait to tear down an engine run on PP, for me that will be 100x more telling than any back to back UOA based on wear metals, which IMO is terrible way to judge oils.

 

[Juhsga]

Quote:
take an oil sample at 5000 miles using one oil and then the other and send them in for analysis, does not do anygood to talk it without an report from the lab, thats what gulf coast filter company does for 18 wheelers...........sky


I would say after a few changeovers of either oil being run in your engine, using the same oil consecutively for more than 2~5? OCIs will give you a better determination of performance, wear, and which will give you longer OCIs. These factors, in my opinion, would be the reason to choose between Mobil 1 or PP for your car. And only your car will tell you this. A Toyota or Ford may not have the same OCI with these oils as you will have for your Honda. Hope this makes sense to you.

~John

 

[VicL]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Vic,

Let's see...

2 Hondas. Both 5w-20 and have OLMs. 50/50 use. In Georgia.

Likes to shop at Walmart.

Answer...

Neither!

Go buy a few 5qt jugs of MotorCraft 5w-20 blend for $11.50 a jug BEFORE the price jumps up and use it. Your engines will be protected just as well and last just as long as if you ran PP or Mobil 1.

Really!

Take care, bill

Bill,
I've had at least one other person who strongly endorsed the MC syn blend oil to me. I actually use it as my changeover oil (factory fill - MC to 10k miles - Mobil 1). I thought I had read someplace on this board that that the additive pack wasn't that great on it.

From all the comments, I think I'll just continue M1 on one vehicle and try PP on the other for about a year and see if I notice any kind of difference.

Vic

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
I can't wait to tear down an engine run on PP, for me that will be 100x more telling than any back to back UOA based on wear metals, which IMO is terrible way to judge oils.


A BIG +1.

Back on topic, given the two choices PP hands down for me. After running Mobil 1 for 2 decades in the same vehicle, and changing over to PP a year ago I'd use PP if I were you. I have a pre-luber pump, and at any temp under 35*F PP comes up to pressure faster, and the overall engine sound is quieter. Not scientific, but to me less sound is better, some say sound means nothing, quiet possibly true. All I know is I'd rather hear less sound, and get oil pressure faster. JMO

As a side note the pre-luber I have is an electric oil pump fender mounted activated by a toggle switch. It works a little slower than a regular oil pump so differences in time to build pressure are more obvious. But there is a definate difference in time to build pressure between the two oils. Again maybe it doesn't amount to a hill of beams, but over the years and thousands of starts it could very well matter.

 

[Johnny]

What brand/type of electric pre-luber do you have? Any pics of the install?