People Who Whine About Engine Oil Prices

[Gary Allan]

Bob, I'll simplify my take on it. Do buy an oil on price sensibility. If you can't get the $$ out of the oil you put into the crankcase in either miles or durability in severity of service (grace under pressure -whether it be -30 starts or track day @ 275F+ oil temp) ..don't buy it. This is also applicable for the 3k/3m type that moves to a more expensive oil so that he/she can do 6m-1year oil changes. Being half as wasteful is also being twice as conserving. You can also factor your time and hassles involved with the process in the calculations (used oil disposal, dirty nail factor, etc.).

 

[oldmaninsc]

Originally Posted By: Bob The Builder

I thought I was keeping it on a friendly note.

Bottom line is we are going off subject a little. The real problem is this attitude people have regarding price differences between oils. I don't feel that they are justified in making claims such as, "I won't buy so and so oil because I just won't pay 9 something for a qt of oil." To me that is ignorance. Companies need to turn a profit. (I am not talking about these companies profitting off gasoline.)

I personally cannot justify using a cheap oil in an expensive engine. They are all expensive engines. I know you won't blow up an engine by using a cheesy low quality oil like Supertech, but you will shorten its life...even if you do short interval oc's. Cheap oils just don't contain the additive packages necessary for lowered engine wear, longer oci's and less emissions.Just my 2 cents.


I wondering - where is the proof to these statements? I don't remember seeing any posts about "I used Supertech oil and now my engine blew up".
Many of us have had engines go 200-300K miles on "low end" oils. Most engine problems I've ever seen over the decades were due to neglect, and not whether you use Pennzoil or Amsoil.
Personally I've always used one particular brand. A close friend used to use anything that was on sale. I always gave him a hard time about it - but in the 30+ years I've known him he NEVER had an oil related failure.
The truth is that just about all oils today will protect the engine and with normal care the engine will last longer than the rest of the vehicle.

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Once it's "good enough", "better" does not really accomplish anything.


Excellent point!

 

[Bob The Builder]

Originally Posted By: twentynine
Well Bob I am one of those guys you consider ignorant. Cause I ain't paying no $9 for one quart of oil or even $5. My friend I have not called you or your ideas ignorant. I do however think you got way more money than I got.

If you want to pay $9 per quart go ahead, not me, not now, not ever. I can take my $1 oil achieve the same results and have $8 left over to go have fun with. Heck my Dodge uses 7 qts per OCI. 7 qts of oil and my $1.25 oil filter. Shoot I get a whole oil change for what you say you are paying for 1 quart. Let's see going your route 7 X $9 = $63 throw in your filter, your $70 into an oil change. That's right you use the bestest-- so I could go double- triple- quadruple the mileage. Well, by my figuring I would have to do 7 times the mileage. That is if you are useing the $9 a quart number. Go a head spend your money, it is yours.

PROVE TO ME that cheap oil does not contain the required additives to meet the API specification. Just saying that cheap oil does not contain the necessary additive package does not make it so. Just as surely spending $9 on a quart of oil don't automatically make it the best. What makes oil "cheesy"? I dare say what makes an oil cheesy to you, makes it nectar of the gods for me. Pennsoil- don't tell me you bought into the sludge rumors? Supertech- peaved at Wally world or what? Shell Formula--ugly package? So on and so on.




First of all...no hard feelings. I'm just posting my opinions on a certain matter. I shouldn't have to apologize for that. On a lighter note.....

I never said that cheap oil didn't contain the required additives to meet API specs. I did say that cheap oil does not contain the extra additive packs that lower engine wear, allow for longer oci's and contribute to less emissions.

Let me give you an analogy. For example, have you ever used a toilet paper that was to thin? What happens? You get poop on your hand. It doesn't stay on the paper and creates sludge on your hand.

What happens when you use a higher quality toilet paper that doesn't break or tear when you wipe? Exactly. It stays intact without degrading into shreds and retains the poop and you have clean hands.

It's the same thing with oil. (and good filters) If you use an oil without the extra additives, sure, it might be ok...to use. But it's really just that, only ok. It doesn't offer your engine extra protection from contaminants or byproducts of combustion. When you use a high quality oil with the right additives, your engine...bearings, piston walls, rings, valve guides etc all get this extra degree of protection from circulating contaminants and the added bonus of preventing wer and tear on the inside of that engine....or vice versa.

Geez. Now I sound like I'm whining. I'll log back in tomorrow or something. Time to go to the beach!

Have a great weekend everyone.

 

[Bob The Builder]

Originally Posted By: oldmaninsc
Originally Posted By: Bob The Builder

I thought I was keeping it on a friendly note.

Bottom line is we are going off subject a little. The real problem is this attitude people have regarding price differences between oils. I don't feel that they are justified in making claims such as, "I won't buy so and so oil because I just won't pay 9 something for a qt of oil." To me that is ignorance. Companies need to turn a profit. (I am not talking about these companies profitting off gasoline.)

I personally cannot justify using a cheap oil in an expensive engine. They are all expensive engines. I know you won't blow up an engine by using a cheesy low quality oil like Supertech, but you will shorten its life...even if you do short interval oc's. Cheap oils just don't contain the additive packages necessary for lowered engine wear, longer oci's and less emissions.Just my 2 cents.


I wondering - where is the proof to these statements? I don't remember seeing any posts about "I used Supertech oil and now my engine blew up".
Many of us have had engines go 200-300K miles on "low end" oils. Most engine problems I've ever seen over the decades were due to neglect, and not whether you use Pennzoil or Amsoil.
Personally I've always used one particular brand. A close friend used to use anything that was on sale. I always gave him a hard time about it - but in the 30+ years I've known him he NEVER had an oil related failure.
The truth is that just about all oils today will protect the engine and with normal care the engine will last longer than the rest of the vehicle.

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Once it's "good enough", "better" does not really accomplish anything.


Excellent point!


Like I said in the text you quoted, you won't "blow up" an engine using cheap oil. It will shorten its life however. I agree with you. We need more accurate quoting here. See you Monday night right here on bitog!

 

[oldmaninsc]

Originally Posted By: Bob The Builder
Originally Posted By: oldmaninsc
Originally Posted By: Bob The Builder

I thought I was keeping it on a friendly note.

Bottom line is we are going off subject a little. The real problem is this attitude people have regarding price differences between oils. I don't feel that they are justified in making claims such as, "I won't buy so and so oil because I just won't pay 9 something for a qt of oil." To me that is ignorance. Companies need to turn a profit. (I am not talking about these companies profitting off gasoline.)

I personally cannot justify using a cheap oil in an expensive engine. They are all expensive engines. I know you won't blow up an engine by using a cheesy low quality oil like Supertech, but you will shorten its life...even if you do short interval oc's. Cheap oils just don't contain the additive packages necessary for lowered engine wear, longer oci's and less emissions.Just my 2 cents.


I wondering - where is the proof to these statements? I don't remember seeing any posts about "I used Supertech oil and now my engine blew up".
Many of us have had engines go 200-300K miles on "low end" oils. Most engine problems I've ever seen over the decades were due to neglect, and not whether you use Pennzoil or Amsoil.
Personally I've always used one particular brand. A close friend used to use anything that was on sale. I always gave him a hard time about it - but in the 30+ years I've known him he NEVER had an oil related failure.
The truth is that just about all oils today will protect the engine and with normal care the engine will last longer than the rest of the vehicle.

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Once it's "good enough", "better" does not really accomplish anything.


Excellent point!


Like I said in the text you quoted, you won't "blow up" an engine using cheap oil. It will shorten its life however. I agree with you. We need more accurate quoting here. See you Monday night right here on bitog!


How will it shorten it's life?
SHOW ME SOME PROOF!

Like I and other have said, we have personally seen engines go 300K miles on "cheap" oil and still run great. Isn't 300K enough miles? Many vehicle bodies are worn out or wrecked LONG before the engine ever dies!
You seem to have the "Don't confuse me with facts, my mind is made up" attitude.

"See you Monday night right here on bitog!" What the ____ is that suppose to mean?

 

[Dale_Knight]

Originally Posted By: oldmaninsc

How will it shorten it's life?
SHOW ME SOME PROOF!


Maybe something to bolster your argument, somewhere I read about a taxi company's study comparing using some high end oils and some really cheap dino bulk oil, doing short oil change intervals like 3000 miles on both and running the cars to some huge number like 700,000 miles and seeing no substantial wear difference between either. Maybe the study was in Vancouver Canada, but I can't find reference to it just now.

 

[jazztrumpet216]

Bob The Builder, you still didn't answer twentynine's question about what makes an oil cheesy to you. Coming from a guy that is using up a stash of $1/qt Quaker State Q-Torque and Q-Horse, I'd really like to know what your criteria are for declaring an oil cheesy. Price? Bottle design? Place of retail?

I'm just trying to figure out if you're making a legitimate point here, or if this is just a case of Amsoil fanboyism.

 

[twentynine]

Originally Posted By: Bob The Builder



First of all...no hard feelings. I'm just posting my opinions on a certain matter. I shouldn't have to apologize for that. On a lighter note.....

I never said that cheap oil didn't contain the required additives to meet API specs. I did say that cheap oil does not contain the extra additive packs that lower engine wear, allow for longer oci's and contribute to less emissions.

Let me give you an analogy. For example, have you ever used a toilet paper that was to thin? What happens? You get poop on your hand. It doesn't stay on the paper and creates sludge on your hand.

What happens when you use a higher quality toilet paper that doesn't break or tear when you wipe? Exactly. It stays intact without degrading into shreds and retains the poop and you have clean hands.

It's the same thing with oil. (and good filters) If you use an oil without the extra additives, sure, it might be ok...to use. But it's really just that, only ok. It doesn't offer your engine extra protection from contaminants or byproducts of combustion. When you use a high quality oil with the right additives, your engine...bearings, piston walls, rings, valve guides etc all get this extra degree of protection from circulating contaminants and the added bonus of preventing wer and tear on the inside of that engine....or vice versa.

Geez. Now I sound like I'm whining. I'll log back in tomorrow or something. Time to go to the beach!

Have a great weekend everyone.








Hey Bob that is one heck of an analogy.

We call them kinda trips "dealing with a high hanger mash".
Think about it for a minute.

You are correct Bob you do not have to apologize for your opinion. You have to realise we have all kinds here. Folks like you that spare no money in their quest for the perfect oil. And folks like me, who spare no effort to achieve the unachievable "free oil change". And then we have the entire spectrum of all the people in between. Guess what we all have opinions that we should not have to apologize for. You have used the word ignorant to describe some one with a differing opinion. Hello mouth--meet foot!

But how do you know, really know that the extra dollar you are spending buys you extra protection? Company literature, advertising, Billy Mays, really how? Do you really know what and how much additive is the perfect package? The oil companies don't, today matter of fact they are all still spending money on reasearching exactly what is the best. That is why we have improvements in lubrication over the years.

You like Amsoil, well good, good for you. Me, I like my money, I sepcially like my money when it stays in my pocket.

The fact is Bob that I will keep my truck until I get about 150k on it, barring theft or crash, regardless of condition, then I will spring for a new one. Right now it is an '04 with 65k, at that rate it will be around 9 years old. What do I care if I can spend $50 extra per oil change and get 200k out it, it ain't going to be mine.

 

[DmanWho]

I want to keep our SX4 for the entire duration. I don't envision ever buying another car. I'm not saying it won't happen, but that is my mentality. I want to keep this vehicle as near that "brand new" state, for as long as possible.

I'm not exactly sure what would be best for this Suzuki J20, engine oil-wise... It may be that my homebrewing using "spendy" oil and additives, with a 7,000+ mile (manufacturer recommended) OCI works out. Or I might find that 3,000 mile OCI's using a cheaper "off the shelf" brand, gives me better results. Shorter OCI's with inexpensive oil could even cost more in the long-run. But that would be fine too. I'm loyal to what is best for my application.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: Bob The Builder

I personally cannot justify using a cheap oil in an expensive engine. They are all expensive engines. I know you won't blow up an engine by using a cheesy low quality oil like Supertech, but you will shorten its life...even if you do short interval oc's. Cheap oils just don't contain the additive packages necessary for lowered engine wear, longer oci's and less emissions.

Just my 2 cents.


Your statement above is worth about 2 cents.

Quote:
It's the same thing with oil. (and good filters) If you use an oil without the extra additives, sure, it might be ok...to use. But it's really just that, only ok. It doesn't offer your engine extra protection from contaminants or byproducts of combustion. When you use a high quality oil with the right additives, your engine...bearings, piston walls, rings, valve guides etc all get this extra degree of protection from circulating contaminants and the added bonus of preventing wer and tear on the inside of that engine....or vice versa.

You have been here since 2005 and that is all you have learned?

If you have not gotten it in 3 years, you will not get it period.

Not worth wasting our time guys.

He drinks the koolaid well...

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

I like ice cream

 

[Bryanccfshr]

It's opinions such as Bob the builders that led me to tomato growing andgardening in general. I change my oil with the least expensive prperly rated oil I need at the time for my vehicles at the factory recomended intervals. Pennzoil, supertech, tropartic they are all good. SM GF4 is all the quality assurance I need. Check it every thousand miles or two and change it when the oil change reminder comes on. Life is simple, Why complicate it?
With the savings I have -vs- a premium oil change I can afford some wine or take my wife to dinner, not that I am hurting for money or that an oil change is a relevant impact on my budget, but the money would be better spent entertaining myself or my wife than buying a fancy oil.
If anything I have taken from BITOG it is that specifications matter, marketing means little.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: Bryanccfshr
It's opinions such as Bob the builders that led me to tomato growing andgardening in general. I change my oil with the least expensive prperly rated oil I need at the time for my vehicles at the factory recomended intervals. Pennzoil, supertech, tropartic they are all good. SM GF4 is all the quality assurance I need. Check it every thousand miles or two and change it when the oil change reminder comes on. Life is simple, Why complicate it?


Because you don't care about your car. It is harder here to justify spending $1-$2 a quart for oil here then $6-7 a quart.

Everyone *knows* that you get what you pay for....

Just amazing.

 

[Bryanccfshr]

LOL! True. I must hate my Tacoma and my Jeep Wrangler. I must dislike autos in general.

I would rather buy better food for me or perhaps some nicer more supportive walking/running shoes to take care of my body, get my teeth cleaned regularly spend a little extra on my wife who returns my love.
To illustrate how silly I think spending money on more expensive oil than you need I Spend over $100 dollars for a 6 pack of tomato cages.. Folks, tomato cages. But they will be around longer than the vehicles I own. I think spending more on oil is silly however.
http://tomatocage.com/ How dare I not have spent that money on synthetic oil for my vehicles, my tiller, my Lawn mower, my 4 stroke weed trimmer and oil analysis to go along with it!! No, I got real life long stuff that feeds me and my wife all year long with tomatoes that have flavor and are not contaminated.

It seems to me that some priorities are eskew. Spend the extra money on your body, on your wife, on your kids or on a pet. They can appreciate the love.
A machine does not care how much you love it. Just take care of it and it will take care of you. It doesn't care how much you spend maintaining it. It's a machine, it will be a rusty heap one day, probably crushed and sent to a smelter. Get your use out of it but don't waste affection on it.

 

[Steve S]

My oil is better than your oil.

 

[Steve S]

How do you get tomatoes so early? Do you have a green house?

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
My oil is better than your oil.


Not so quick!

I have only one question that will show all of us if your oil is really the "best"...

How much did you pay for it?

 

[oldmaninsc]

Originally Posted By: Bryanccfshr
It seems to me that some priorities are eskew. Spend the extra money on your body, on your wife, on your kids or on a pet. They can appreciate the love.
A machine does not care how much you love it. Just take care of it and it will take care of you. It doesn't care how much you spend maintaining it. It's a machine, it will be a rusty heap one day, probably crushed and sent to a smelter. Get your use out of it but don't waste affection on it.

RIGHT ON! I couldn't agree with you more!!!

 

[oldmaninsc]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: Steve S
My oil is better than your oil.


Not so quick!

I have only one question that will show all of us if your oil is really the "best"...

How much did you pay for it?


LOL!
Whatever it was, it wasn't enough! You should have paid more!

 

[Bryanccfshr]

No, my plant out date is the first of March to mid march for season 1 and July 30th for season 2. I start my seed under lights in the garage in January and this year I gambled and planted out early March. This year I have become heavily involved in canning what we could not immediately eat fresh.

Back to oil. I stock up on clearances sales and when nothing is not on clearance or on sale I buy based on price and which color bottle enhances my mood the most the day I need to purchase oil so long as it meets the manufacterers specifications.

Then I spend what I saved on oil on some nice fresh Gulf Shrimp. I know it's a terrigble thing I am doing feeding my 2008 jeep Pennzoil yellow bottle wile I eat like a king..