Reasons to change the brand of oil you use.

[Moondawg]

Generally speaking, am I correct in thinking you should change the brand and/or weight of oil you use, or maybe the brand of filter, if you notice any of the following:

1. somewhere around 2k miles into the oil change you notice your oil turning dark or black?

2. You notice your engine is developing a thin layer of varnish on it's valves or inside the valve cover. You see this through the oil cap filler hole.

3. Your oil smells bad starting somewhere around 3k miles.

4. Your engine makes small noises or sounds.

5. Your engine uses a quart or more oil in less than 1k miles.

How can you tell what needs changing?

 

[kschachn]

We need more detail.

 

[demarpaint]

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: Moondawg
Generally speaking, am I correct in thinking you should change the brand and/or weight of oil you use, or maybe the brand of filter, if you notice any of the following:

1. somewhere around 2k miles into the oil change you notice your oil turning dark or black?

2. You notice your engine is developing a thin layer of varnish on it's valves or inside the valve cover. You see this through the oil cap filler hole.

3. Your oil smells bad starting somewhere around 3k miles.

4. Your engine makes small noises or sounds.

5. Your engine uses a quart or more oil in less than 1k miles.

How can you tell what needs changing?
Do a compression test for some objective information, not a bunch of hearsay. Also check your PCV system. I've used Rotella T6 in gas engines for some time, it turns dark quickly even though the engines are in good shape.

 

[djb]

Essentially none of those are true.

Oil turning dark means nothing. It might be that the detergents are cleaning old deposits. It might be from blow-by. It might be the oil oxidizing.

You probably can't see varnish through the oil fill hole. Even if you are seeing the camshaft (which frequently isn't true) you certainly aren't going to get a representative sample of the engine interior.

Oil smell might hint at the EP additives, but little else. This isn't food going rancid.

All engines make noise. Oils have different cushioning properties, but minor noises indicate nothing.

 

[earlyre]

I use a different brand just about every oc...haven't noticed any significant differences....

That being said, since changing my oil a few days ago, my car feels...newer...if that makes sense... Likely just the fact that it's fresh oil, but part of me thinks it might be that this is the first time since I've had it it's actually had motorcraft oil& filter...

Most likely just new oil.
Or it's all in my head.

 

[dlundblad]

1. My Jeep turns oil dark pretty fast.

2. The upper has a bit of varnish, but no crud, grime, sludge etc. Very clean IMO.

3. It immediately smells like used oil.

4. My engine has always been vocal.

5. The engine uses little to no oil during a 5k run now that I have my seals replaced.

If an engine fits the above criteria, the only thing I would try to "fix" is the consumption by using a high mileage oil. Others here (not me) have had luck with going up a grade too.

 

[BrocLuno]

MFG's recommended oil grade and weight during warranty.

HDEO 15W-40 from 100k on to help cushion larger clearances and to add detergency to help control accumulating varnish ...

 

[bubbatime]

Originally Posted By: Moondawg
am I correct in thinking ...


No. Stop thinking.

 

[Justin251]

Just because.

 

[KitaCam]

1-4. no
5. I'd try a HM oil at that point.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Only reason I even switch brands is boredom I think it's fun to try different oils.

 

[RoadRaceJosh]

Seeing different brands on sale is usually what gets me to switch. PYB was on sale, bought it. Havoline is on sale, bought that. Mobil gave a good rebate and I own a BMW so I bought 2 jugs of Mobil 1 0W-40. Penzoil decides to promote their synthetic oil and wants to support it's superior products through UOA. I signed up/asked nicely and got 6 quarts of PUP free.

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: bubbatime
Originally Posted By: Moondawg
am I correct in thinking ...


No. Stop thinking.

 

[Eddie]

# 5 only and let someone else do the thinking.

 

[stchman]

The OP is starting to sound like that Merk guy.

 

[Bladecutter]

Only reasons I have for changing oil brands is thus:

Different brand is only one available at time of purchase that meets needed specs.

For one of my cars, I need an oil that meets the Porsche A40 spec.
The oil that is the easiest to acquire at any given time is the Mobil 1 0W-40.
I can get that oil just about anywhere.

Trying to find Pennzoil, Valvoline, or Quaker State that meets that spec is going to be rare at a brick and mortar store, and especially if I'm in a hurry.

If I were able to get the Pennzoil just as easily as the Mobil 1, then I would use that instead, because I prefer not to give my money to Mobil, if I can. But, I can't.

BC.

 

[Merkava_4]

Quote:
1. Somewhere around 2k miles into the oil change you notice your oil turning dark or black?


You're using full synthetic and the oil is cleaning up your engine from the previous OCIs.

Quote:
2. You notice your engine is developing a thin layer of varnish on it's valves or inside the valve cover. You see this through the oil cap filler hole.


You're not changing your oil often enough.

Quote:
3. Your oil smells bad starting somewhere around 3k miles.


You're using Quaker State Ultimate Durability.

Quote:
4. Your engine makes small noises or sounds.


You're using oil that's too thin.

Quote:
5. Your engine uses a quart or more oil in less than 1k miles.


You're using oil that's too thin.

 

[camrydriver111]

You switch when somebody did a VOA and another oil has more impressive specs.

Then you need to blend the remaining oil in your stash.