Oil recommendation for 2012 TC 3.6L engine

[mauric3]

hi.. I just wanted to ask what would be a good oil for our 3.6L pentastar engine? the oil cap calls for 5w30...

Our local dealership here recommends doing the 5000k km OCI... I don't want to use their bulk oil and planning on bringing my own oil when i go in for service.. I want to use a synthetic 5w30 oil but i think most of the people here would agree that running a full synthetic for 5000k km is a waste of oil and money? The van comes with a oil change indicator and i believe it usually comes out at an average of 8000k km based on my experience on our van that we traded it in for the 2012 TC.. The older van we had is 2009 TC with 4.0L engine and the Oil change indicator usually comes up at around 8000k km on average..

So putting a full synthetic 5w30 and follow the oil change reminder of the car is better than using a full synthetic 5w30 and following the dealerships recommendation of 5000k km intervals?

I was originally thinking of Amsoil SSO 5w30.. but thinking of maybe just oil from walmart since i don't need to pay membership fee and shipping fee.. i think i would go for PU/PP 5w30... Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated..

Thanks!

 

[crinkles]

First, stick to warranty requirements.

Second, if you don't do short trips in freezing weather, I'd do 10,000km on synthetic if not more.

I would personally go for the shell/pennzoil premium product.

 

[Indydriver]

If you're not going to DIY, I'd let the dealer use his bulk Dino at 5000km. That's a good interval to get the breakin contaminants out of your new engine. Go another 5000km then switch to synthetic if you like and begin to extend OCI with a UOA when you think you're pushing the envelope.

Enjoy your new van! I'm buying a new Toyota which comes with 0W-20 syn and they're recommending 10000 MILES for the first OCI! Never!

 

[mauric3]

Thanks for the suggestion!

How about bringing in a PYB 5w30 instead of letting them use their bulk oil for the first 10k km then use synthetic afterwards? I believe their bulk oil is from Esso.. I'm not sure how good those Esso dino oils are.. .

 

[Indydriver]

Originally Posted By: mauric3
Thanks for the suggestion!

How about bringing in a PYB 5w30 instead of letting them use their bulk oil for the first 10k km then use synthetic afterwards? I believe their bulk oil is from Esso.. I'm not sure how good those Esso dino oils are.. .

PYB is a good oil. Nothing wrong with that if you can be sure they actually put it in your car!

But, there shouldn't be anything wrong with Esso bulk. They're a major and it should be just fine. Google "Esso Canada" and your opinion may elevate.

 

[mauric3]

Originally Posted By: Indydriver
If you're not going to DIY, I'd let the dealer use his bulk Dino at 5000km. That's a good interval to get the breakin contaminants out of your new engine. Go another 5000km then switch to synthetic if you like and begin to extend OCI with a UOA when you think you're pushing the envelope.

Enjoy your new van! I'm buying a new Toyota which comes with 0W-20 syn and they're recommending 10000 MILES for the first OCI! Never!


Adv congrats on the toyota! What kind of toyota? all the 2012 honda/toyota are now calling for 0w20 if im not mistaken.. 10k miles? Wow! the toyota 0w20 is a pretty good oil based on what people have been saying here in BITOG. so would you be sticking with the toyota 0w20 and stick to a shorter OCI instead of the 10k miles?

 

[mauric3]

Originally Posted By: Indydriver
Originally Posted By: mauric3
Thanks for the suggestion!

How about bringing in a PYB 5w30 instead of letting them use their bulk oil for the first 10k km then use synthetic afterwards? I believe their bulk oil is from Esso.. I'm not sure how good those Esso dino oils are.. .

PYB is a good oil. Nothing wrong with that if you can be sure they actually put it in your car!


That's what concerns me when i bring my own oil to the dealership.. How would i know if the mechanic is actually using it or just keepig it for himself? Worst case is i have to bring in 2 5quarts since our van needs around 6qtrs of oil.. so they should give me back the other bottle with around 4qts left ...

 

[Indydriver]

Just did a little reading about Esso Canada and I would have no fear using their oils especially on shorter OCIs

I'm getting a Toyota Sienna XLE FWD. It is scheduled to be built the week of 4/16. Since the factory is only two hours from me, I'm thinking about going down that week and maybe seeing them make a few minivans.

 

[mauric3]

Originally Posted By: Indydriver
Just did a little reading about Esso Canada and I would have no fear using their oils especially on shorter OCIs

I'm getting a Toyota Sienna XLE FWD. It is scheduled to be built the week of 4/16. Since the factory is only two hours from me, I'm thinking about going down that week and maybe seeing them make a few minivans.


Oh.. interesting.. Wonder if it would be a good idea sticking with their esso bulk oil and doing their recommended oil change interval which is at 5000k km?

Nice van!

if im gonna get a sienna.. i would get the SE Trim.. the rims and body kit looks amazing.. Hopefully our TC Limited would give us no problems in the next few years...

Wow..did you custom ordered it? Like add/modify something ? Why not get something that is already in the lot? I'm just wondering...

 

[Indydriver]

You'll see in my list a 2011 Accord V6. Now, these engines have a rep for being hard on oil due to their VCM ( one reason I didn't buy an Odyssey). Against my better instincts, I followed the dealer and manufacturers recommendation to go to 15% on the MM was 6300 miles on the factory fill. I had it analyzed out of curiosity. It was OK in that the oil still had 2.0 TBN but it was absolutely loaded with metals. IIRC, 275 ppm copper. I don't think I've ever seen that much copper in an oil sample. I know Honda wanted their high moly brew in the engine for a good while but I just cannot imagine how it can be healthy to have that much [censored] circulating around your engine.

 

[Indydriver]

Originally Posted By: mauric3
Originally Posted By: Indydriver
Just did a little reading about Esso Canada and I would have no fear using their oils especially on shorter OCIs

I'm getting a Toyota Sienna XLE FWD. It is scheduled to be built the week of 4/16. Since the factory is only two hours from me, I'm thinking about going down that week and maybe seeing them make a few minivans.


Oh.. interesting.. Wonder if it would be a good idea sticking with their esso bulk oil and doing their recommended oil change interval which is at 5000k km?

Nice van!

if im gonna get a sienna.. i would get the SE Trim.. the rims and body kit looks amazing.. Hopefully our TC Limited would give us no problems in the next few years...

Wow..did you custom ordered it? Like add/modify something ? Why not get something that is already in the lot? I'm just wondering...


Ha ha, the SE, the "man van" I tried to go there but this will be my wife's daily driver and she would not consider one w/o full leather interior so.....

I did not factory order. What happened is, I was trying to find a silver FWD XLE with only one option: carpet mats (yes, that has to be optioned) on a lot so I could take advantage of Toy's March financing incentives. This particular dealer didn't have it on the lot but had it on his build sheet (a unit already ordered and scheduled for production) for April. They made it worth my while to wait, buy from them and gamble that April's incentives will be as good or better. So if you see Toyota come out with cash for Siennas on Tuesday, I'll be celebrating.

 

[Indydriver]

BTW, I'm sure you will enjoy your TC Limited. Nice van. We just came off of two Mopar vans that took us nearly 25 years through our child rearing years. I tried like crazy to get my wife out of the minivan and into a Mazda CX-9 (love that thing) but she just wouldn't give up her minivan even though our kids are grown and gone now. I'll be driving it when we go on trips. The seats and ride are very comfy so I'm sure I'll be happy with my part of it.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: mauric3
Thanks for the suggestion!

How about bringing in a PYB 5w30 instead of letting them use their bulk oil for the first 10k km then use synthetic afterwards? I believe their bulk oil is from Esso.. I'm not sure how good those Esso dino oils are.. .


I'd use the PYB 5W30 and let them keep their bulk oil, just be sure they use your oil. In all honestly I'd do the first OC myself at 1000 miles, and try and avoid the dealer unless you have a problem. But that's just me, to many lousy dealers in the NY area has me programmed to try to avoid them. Good luck with your new mini van.

I'm also interested in your comments about the engine, maybe via PM not to derail this thread.

 

[JHZR2]

Unless the dealer is paying for OCs, Id DIY with PYB, saving all receipts, perhaps even buying the filters from the dealer.

 

[mauric3]

Thanks for the reply!

What do you guys think about bringing your own oil to dealership? Would it be 100% guaranteed that they will put in the oil you bring in?

@Indydriver the 2012 TC is definitely much better than our 2009 TC..Hopefully this van will not have any problems til maybe after it hit 100k kms..

@JHZR2 i dont think i can DIY the oil on this car..

@demarpaint first oc at 1000miles which is 1600km? Is that too early to change the FF oil? I wanted to avoid dealers as much as possible but we added an extra 2years/40k km to make it 5yrs/100k for warranty and it also comes with free rental car if ever we need to leave the car longer.. so that's why i might as well bring it to the dealership since we paid for the exta warranty... I am just unsure if our local dealerships here will be using the oil that i bring in.. i guess i'm just the type of person that i have to see to believe...

 

[Indydriver]

If you can't or don't want to DIY (Mopar vans are about as easy as it gets), then I'd just go with the dealer's bulk oil, have it changed according to the manual specs for weight and interval and sleep soundly. If you don't trust the dealer, find a local mechanic you can develop a relationship with. These engines are not hard on oil. Do you have a local Firestone shop that is any good? I have a great relationship with mine since I buy Blizzaks for all of mine. They are very reasonable on oil changes and use bulk Kendall GT-1 Semi-syn (blend) as their base oil change (at least in the states).

 

[mauric3]

I was just wondering if anyone here is familiar with Esso bulk oil? Our local Chrysler/Dodge dealership apparently uses Esso bulk oils... I was hoping that the guy was telling the truth.. So any thoughts on how the Esso oils perform?

Thanks

 

[Garak]

They're quality oils, mauric3. They (at least in the appropriate grades) meet all the latest API and ILSAC specifications.

 

[mauric3]

Originally Posted By: Garak
They're quality oils, mauric3. They (at least in the appropriate grades) meet all the latest API and ILSAC specifications.


Thanks for the reply Garak!

What would you recommend since the engine calls for 5w30 oil? PU 5w30, Amsoil 5w30 or should i go with GC 0w30, Amsoil 0w30?

How long are you running the PYB 5w30 on your G37 coupe? Won't u upgrade to a PU or PP instead of the PYB?

 

[Garak]

I'm not terribly familiar with the Amsoil line. You're best bet for questions on it would be to ask Pablo. I have no doubt it's great oil, but I don't know the fine distinctions between the various lines.

For something of your vintage, I'd stick to something that means the owner's manual requirements, which are probably SM/GF-4 or better along with Chrysler MS-6395. Most oils out there now are SN/GF-5 or better (except for some old stock and some stragglers) and most name brands will meet the Chrysler specification, including Mobil Super 1000 (there aren't many bottled Esso oils left; Mobil Super has replaced it at most retailers), Petro-Canada Supreme, PYB, and all the other good ones.

Does your manual require a 5w30 viscosity only? Either way, sticking with the 5w30 with the appropriate specifications is a good thing. For 0w30 oils, I don't know enough about Amsoil to make an informed comment. I do know that Petro-Canada Supreme Synthetic 0w30 meets Chrysler MS-6395. GC certainly will not. While a good oil, it won't meet SM/GF-4 or better, either, for your warranty requirements.

If you go by 5,000 km OCIs, a synthetic would, in my view, be a waste of money. Even if you just followed the oil life monitor, you'd be okay with conventional, if the engine didn't specify synthetic in the first place.

I'm using PYB since it's a quality oil at a good price. The other options I considered most were QSGB and Mobil Super 1000. I had QSGB at the start in my stash, so it got used first. PYB went on rollback first, so I bought a bunch of that.

The manual for the G simply calls for SM/GF-4 or better in a 5w30. While under warranty, the OCIs are 3750 miles (6000 km) or less, so my view would be that synthetic would be a waste of money. After warranty, and when my stock of PYB is gone, I could consider a synthetic, but only if the price is right and I can suitably extend the OCI. Some say the G37s are hard on oil, so I don't know how wise an extension would be. In any case, I've run a lot of vehicles a lot of miles on conventional, winter and summer.

If you're stuck on synthetic, I'd certainly stick with the oil life monitor and one meeting the appropriate API, ILSAC, and Chrysler specifications while under warranty. If you want Amsoil, again, I'd check with Pablo to find out what's recommended.