PP vs. M1 for 5 block commutes

[JHZR2]

Hi,

My mother has a 97 plymouth breeze. She has ~91k on it, and it runs great. She had the head gasket replaced under warranty, as it was one of the known issues. It never did any damage, and chrysler paid. The car bests EPA mileage and runs great. She is really happy with it.

For most of its life, we have run M1 5w-30 in it. My mother uses the car for 5-block commutes (she is a teacher and math/science supervisor and has to take a LOT of books and whatnot with her), but then my parents use it sometimes for 150-200 mile weekend trips to their weekend house.

UOAs, given the really severe, never gets anywhere near up to temperature operation that it usually sees, have been really great. The oil gets changed every 6 months, and its never an issue.

I could say, why mess with success... however, mileage-wise the oil is underutilized.

Given the good price-point of pennzoil platinum, the good reports and good success and reported chemisrty of the oil... it would be slightly more economical, and potentially equivalent performance wise.

Do you think PP will deal with water and fuel contamination as well as M1? Will cold startup protection (which occurs a LOT) be as good?

Are there any advantages or disadvantages to using PP over M1 in this application? Im a bit worried about messing with success...

Thanks,

JMH

 

[ChromiumSteel]

"Go with what you know"

I'm running them both currently. The tC feedback so far with PP is...Smooth...MPG picked up about 1 1/2 mpg. But- When you spend some time really hammering it(these cars are torque monsters and haul *** for $17,000)the gas mileage doesn't drop off as much as it did with the dino.That from (just finished second year of)college son!

 

[unDummy]

Any synthetic will do if interval is not too long. Those weekend long trips should help with moisture control if they are frequent enough.
Make sure PCV system is working perfectly.

 

[JohnBrowning]

I do not see why PP would not work just fine! I also wounder if CHevron Supreme or Havoline might also work just fine! You might even consider Mobil 7500 in 5W30 or 10W30. Seeing how it is being changed every 6 months Mobil 7500 would be a great way to go.Most parts store sell Mobil 7500.

 

[buster]

I think I'd use the PP. You could always run M1 EP and change it once a year. ??

 

[bulwnkl]

Be advised that the 2-liters lost HGs because a head bolt hole(s) was not reliably machined deep enough into the block (i.e. some failed, some didn't). They blow the gaskets essentially because the bolt(s) bottoms out and cannot get quite enough clamp on the gasket. See neons.org for more info, but look for another failure if Chrysler didn't happen to use the shorter bolt(s).