So are they all pretty much the same?

[AnarchyX]

For us daily drivers are all SM conventional oils going to "get the job done", especially if we're changing every 3k? If not, which brands should we be weary of and why?

I ask because I remember a guy went over a million miles in his truck earlier this year just using either Shell or Pennzoil Conventional oil and so wonder if it's a waste, or of no noticeable differences, for us daily drivers to use anything different.

 

[glennc]

Originally Posted By: AnarchyX
For us daily drivers are all SM conventional oils going to "get the job done",

Yes
Originally Posted By: AnarchyX
especially if we're changing every 3k?

No. That will make no difference over a more appropriate interval like 5k - 7500 miles.

The million mile truck was talked about a lot here. He used conventional oil and did not change it particularly often. He also used a K&N air filter and did not clean it particularly often. He went through lots of transmissions (six IIRC) and other stuff, but the engine ran all those miles without any special effort.

BITOG is officially obsolete.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

"For us daily drivers are all SM conventional oils going to "get the job done", especially if we're changing every 3k?"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, but a shot of A-Rx will make it even better.

 

[Bryanccfshr]

Yup. Sm Ilsac GF4 an 5-6k mile oci's and theengine will run great and outlive the rest of the vehicle. Spend the extra money on belts and hoses and good tires and brakes and good replacement shocks throught the vehicles life. The oil is really a minor thing as far as maintenance and longevity goes.

 

[Audi Junkie]

With the arrival of a big additive formulator as a sponsor, I expect to see a bit more clarity on the subject of which oil blenders use which "ready-made" additive packages. I'm not asking anyone to spill the beans on propritary info, but it's somewhat obvious looking at the VOAs. I've heard that Shell uses one "brand" of additive and PZ another. iirc, Valvoline and GTX share the same con-sodium additive and maybe Mobil Clean too. Havoline/Chevron have their own unique additives from Ornite.

We should get down to business on this trivia.

Back to the original poster, yes there are differences amongst brands in performance.

 

[pickled]

Well sorry for everyone toting the SM "yes" banner, but several lower and regional brands have failed API shelf audits so all SM rated labels you will see in the dino retirement bargain bin are not the same in quality. The majors have a lot to lose so they will set their process control and sourcing quality assurance programs to ensure minimum conformance to API standards is maintained. Again API and minimum performance standard type specifications upset me, but hey group think is cool. At least the folks from Schaeffer's reveal where they stand vs. the minimum API spec in their testing.

 

[vxcalais]

I think what gets people is the performance word, either they think it means their car will go faster (which i cannot really see happening with any oil not matter what they claim, yes thinner and thicker grades can effect it), the oil will last longer, or feels and sounds better. Some people guage oil on sound, how it revs, they will say a slightly thicker oil is [censored] as it dont rev as freely, and even when the oil comes out clean reckon its good stuff !(I wonder where all the impurities are ?). Does SM and SL to some extent make null and void the base oil/additive factor ???