This is a new to me Chrysler Town and Country with 139,000 miles. I plan to use a regular Wix filter on this oil change, using the recommended 5w-30 and would like to get about 7,000 miles before next change. I would like to keep general wear low, especially in the timing chain. I am looking at QSUD, but is there anything better for about the same price?
Oil recommendation for 2002 Chrysler 3.8L
- Thread starter hitthegas
- Start date
- Status
Best deal right now is probably a Mobil 1 product with the $10 rebate. Amazon and Walmart have all the non-EP varieties for $22.88 and the EP varieties for $25.47 before rebate, and members have reliably received rebates after purchasing at either place. I would probably go for either the HM or the EP in 5W-30. Either will probably be overkill for a 7K OCI, but for the price, why not.
https://mobiloil.com/en/promotion/mobil-promotions/up-to-15-dollars-off-with-mobil-1-and-mobil-super
https://mobiloil.com/en/promotion/mobil-promotions/up-to-15-dollars-off-with-mobil-1-and-mobil-super
Originally Posted By: Chewie
Best deal right now is probably a Mobil 1 product with the $10 rebate.
https://mobiloil.com/en/promotion/mobil-promotions/up-to-15-dollars-off-with-mobil-1-and-mobil-super
Better yet, it's a $12 rebate.
Best deal right now is probably a Mobil 1 product with the $10 rebate.
https://mobiloil.com/en/promotion/mobil-promotions/up-to-15-dollars-off-with-mobil-1-and-mobil-super
Better yet, it's a $12 rebate.
Originally Posted By: hitthegas
This is a new to me Chrysler Town and Country with 139,000 miles. I plan to use a regular Wix filter on this oil change,
If you're using WIx the larger oil filter for this engine is #51515.
For low wear look for an oil with high zinc content such as Quaker State Defy or an HDEO like Shell Rotella 10w-30, now available at Walmart in gallon jugs.
Personally, I wouldn't push the OCI too far in a high mileage engine. I'd be looking to dump it around 5000 or so mi.
This is a new to me Chrysler Town and Country with 139,000 miles. I plan to use a regular Wix filter on this oil change,
If you're using WIx the larger oil filter for this engine is #51515.
For low wear look for an oil with high zinc content such as Quaker State Defy or an HDEO like Shell Rotella 10w-30, now available at Walmart in gallon jugs.
Personally, I wouldn't push the OCI too far in a high mileage engine. I'd be looking to dump it around 5000 or so mi.
Quaker State Defy has been reformulated. It's now API SN. So it's not high zinc anymore. I believe Pennzoil High Mileage still is.
I have a 3.3L which is a 3.8 with a shorter stroke. I've ran PYB 5W30 with it mostly. And now Mobil Delvac 10W30. Next is Shell Rotella T5.
I have a 3.3L which is a 3.8 with a shorter stroke. I've ran PYB 5W30 with it mostly. And now Mobil Delvac 10W30. Next is Shell Rotella T5.
Bud_One
Site Donor 2025
QSUD is a great choice .
I'd say go with that.
I'd say go with that.
Give the old girl Pennzoil or Castrol HM 5w30 at about 5k OCI's. If you want to do 7k OCI's I'd suggest Magnatec 5w30, although PHM is probably readily capable as well I'd want a UOA before settling on it.
Do you know the maintenance history? I absolutely WOULD NOT put synthetic in an engine with 140k miles on it that has never had synthetic in it.
Do the safe thing, conventional 10W30 / 5W30 every 5k miles. Probably Defy or Maxlife.
Do the safe thing, conventional 10W30 / 5W30 every 5k miles. Probably Defy or Maxlife.
Originally Posted By: Farmer
Quaker State Defy has been reformulated. It's now API SN. So it's not high zinc anymore.
Oh, thats too bad.
In that case I'd go with an HDEO like Shell Rotella, even the current CJ-4 versions have higher ZDDP levels than passenger car motor oils. I only run 5w-30 PCMO during the coldest months of the year in my Caravan.
Quaker State Defy has been reformulated. It's now API SN. So it's not high zinc anymore.
Oh, thats too bad.
In that case I'd go with an HDEO like Shell Rotella, even the current CJ-4 versions have higher ZDDP levels than passenger car motor oils. I only run 5w-30 PCMO during the coldest months of the year in my Caravan.
I probably also wouldn't go with your intention on your first trial run given the probability is high the vehicle will have an oil consumption issue which has been a problem for this vehicle especially the 3.8l. I would run any sale priced SN conventional oil 5k at the speced viscosity to see if you have this issue.
FWIW, I recently started changing the oil on my in-law's 09 Caravan w/3.8L at 182,000. Near as they could figure it had last been changed with conventional oil, who knows how many miles ago. It's now on the second change of Valvoline Maxlife 5w20 (ran to approx. 10,000 miles on the first change): consumption has gone from a quart every 600-800 to every 2,000 or so, and it's been running that oil for the last 15,000 miles now with no sign of harm.
the Chrysler 3.8 is an oil burner. Make sure you have topoff oil and check the dipstick often.
Originally Posted By: bubbatime
Do you know the maintenance history? I absolutely WOULD NOT put synthetic in an engine with 140k miles on it that has never had synthetic in it.
Hogwash.
Do you know the maintenance history? I absolutely WOULD NOT put synthetic in an engine with 140k miles on it that has never had synthetic in it.
Hogwash.
With my '07 I had the 3.8...she burned/used a quart of oil every 1000 miles round the clock. It didn't matter what I threw into her...always lost the same amount of oil. I would personally use VML 5w30 and see how yours fares. Most definitely keep some top off oil handy...you are gonna need it.
As far as filters go, a NG 1085/Wix 51085 is a great choice.
As far as filters go, a NG 1085/Wix 51085 is a great choice.
+1
Walmart has a huge selection of high mileage synthetic oils, I would choose one of those.
These engine always burn oil, but replace your PCV valve with a new OEM valve to slow down the burning.
These engine always burn oil, but replace your PCV valve with a new OEM valve to slow down the burning.
That is the same engine in my 08 Wrangler. I recently started using 5W-30 PYB instead of synthetics. I was surprised that the PYB gave some of the best UOA wear numbers ever for this engine. I change oil around every 5,000 miles and use a MC FL400S oil filter. Almost 90,000 miles and the engine seems happy.
I would first see how much oil if any the engine consumes. The 3.8L had a reputation for high oil consumption. I read some of the engines had the rings installed upside down causing the problem. They might have been assembled in Mexico, either way some of them use quite a bit of oil. My BIL owns a mini van with one and it has a big appetite for oil. Having said that before I ran synthetic oil, I'd first establish if the engine is an oil burner, and base my choice [dino, synthetic, or HM variants] of oil on that. You can't go wrong with anything from Pennzoil, Mobil, QS, or Castrol.
Originally Posted By: Subdued
Originally Posted By: bubbatime
Do you know the maintenance history? I absolutely WOULD NOT put synthetic in an engine with 140k miles on it that has never had synthetic in it.
Hogwash.
It's actually not hogwash as many users with first hand experience will tell you. As for the OP, I'd just use SuperTech 5W-30 dino on the old beast and call it a day. If you keep it topped off, the ST will go 7k with no problem. If you have consumption issues with the ST, go to MaxLife blend.
Originally Posted By: bubbatime
Do you know the maintenance history? I absolutely WOULD NOT put synthetic in an engine with 140k miles on it that has never had synthetic in it.
Hogwash.
It's actually not hogwash as many users with first hand experience will tell you. As for the OP, I'd just use SuperTech 5W-30 dino on the old beast and call it a day. If you keep it topped off, the ST will go 7k with no problem. If you have consumption issues with the ST, go to MaxLife blend.
- Status
Similar threads
