Ok, from all the discussion on various brands, voa's, uoa's, and opinion... I need to to decide between 3 conventional oils. I go by the 3mo/3k OCI and want to use either Valvoline, Castrol GTX or Havoline. Based on my 3 month OCI, which of these 3 conventional oils is my best choice?
SUGGEST ONE FOR ME
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There may be no useful difference between these three oils. Look in the uoa section and look for the price of each oil. To choose based on price in your area, amoung these three oils, might be the best method of making a selection. You might add Chevron Supreme because it is often available at discount stores and is every bit as good as your three candidates.
Forget about the Valvoline and reduce your choice to Castrol GTX or Havoline. A lot of members also like Chevron Supreme oil.
I'm not sure what your driving habits are, but I've always thought that 3mo/3K OCIs are overkill and brain-washing that is perpetuated by the oil companies and lube joints.
I'm not sure what your driving habits are, but I've always thought that 3mo/3K OCIs are overkill and brain-washing that is perpetuated by the oil companies and lube joints.
Out of the three you mention, I'm partial to Havoline due to the excellent reports on this oil posted here on BITOG and my experience with the oil in my sister's Honda Civic (which I help maintain).
But honestly, any of the three should work just fine for 3mo/3k OCI's for a typical passenger car operated in the U.S. My $0.02
But honestly, any of the three should work just fine for 3mo/3k OCI's for a typical passenger car operated in the U.S. My $0.02
Forget about Chevron (for me that is). NO discount store have it around here. I won't budge off my beloved 3mo OCI. Yeah, I know, it's overkill, but that's me. My cars have to last me until the day I die.
My trips are very short, 3 miles each direction about 6 times a day in both extreme hot and cold. I live in the midwest, near Chicago.
Havoline or Castrol GTX?
My trips are very short, 3 miles each direction about 6 times a day in both extreme hot and cold. I live in the midwest, near Chicago.
Havoline or Castrol GTX?
Particularly in a cold climate, if you do alot of cold starts, most of your engine wear will be occurring at startup, and I think a 5W oil will help you in this regard.
Cool...thanks John.
There is one conventional oil however I forgot to include, it is the only other one I would consider of the 3, and it is the Mobil Clean 5000.
Any 411 on this one being used with my 3mo OCI?
Any chance the Mobil conventionl would outperfrom/clean/protect compared to the Havoline?
There is one conventional oil however I forgot to include, it is the only other one I would consider of the 3, and it is the Mobil Clean 5000.
Any 411 on this one being used with my 3mo OCI?
Any chance the Mobil conventionl would outperfrom/clean/protect compared to the Havoline?
For city driving with dino oil, a 3k mi / 5k km OCI still makes sense, and is actually what the owner's manual of my 2003 Dodge specifically recommends. The enemy here is condensation and sludge buildup, and I would think that OCI is therefore more important than the specific brand of oil and its additive package.
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Disclosure:
2001 VW/Audi 1.8T: 3k mi / 5k km OCI Mobil 1 0W-40
2003 Chrysler 2.4DOHC: 3.5k mi / 6k km OCI Pennz 5w30 dino
1996 Audi 2.8 12V (very recently acquired): same OCI, undecided on oil
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Disclosure:
2001 VW/Audi 1.8T: 3k mi / 5k km OCI Mobil 1 0W-40
2003 Chrysler 2.4DOHC: 3.5k mi / 6k km OCI Pennz 5w30 dino
1996 Audi 2.8 12V (very recently acquired): same OCI, undecided on oil
Thanks John_E
And there you have it folks. This extended drain interval may have some merit, but as for most of us city drivers, I think it is insane to even consider it. I don't care what the UOA's say. I've changed my oil at 3 months and at times had only 1500 miles on the oil, and when I dumped the oil, it was very dark. Sure, one could argue and prove the oil is still good and additives ok as well, but if you want that dirt swirling around in your motor beyond 3 months, go right ahead. Not me. No way. It's cheap insurance, and people talk way too much about how cheap they can get a bottle of oil for, but what should cost have to do with somethng you only do once every 3 months? Cost should not be a factor and if you people keep comparing how one brand is 1.50/qt and the other is 1.98/qt and you are worried about spending an additional 48 cents for something you don't do that ofen, I find it rediculouse.
And there you have it folks. This extended drain interval may have some merit, but as for most of us city drivers, I think it is insane to even consider it. I don't care what the UOA's say. I've changed my oil at 3 months and at times had only 1500 miles on the oil, and when I dumped the oil, it was very dark. Sure, one could argue and prove the oil is still good and additives ok as well, but if you want that dirt swirling around in your motor beyond 3 months, go right ahead. Not me. No way. It's cheap insurance, and people talk way too much about how cheap they can get a bottle of oil for, but what should cost have to do with somethng you only do once every 3 months? Cost should not be a factor and if you people keep comparing how one brand is 1.50/qt and the other is 1.98/qt and you are worried about spending an additional 48 cents for something you don't do that ofen, I find it rediculouse.
There's nothing "rediculouse" about people suggesting a way for you to save a little money.If you're going to change every 3 months the concensus is that ANY modern SM GF-4 rated oil is going to provide more than adequate service.If you're not interested in saving money then buy the most expensive oil you can find and sleep well at night knowing you've paid top dollar for your engine protection.
I was suprised to hear two people with a week tell me to stay away from Pennzoil. One being my mechanic and the other, and Advance Auto employee who had just finished automotive school. He said the put various brands of motor oil in a frying pan and that the out of all of them, the Pennzoil turned black and tarred up real fast. Has anyone else ever heard of this so called "frying pan test" and observed Pennzoil do this?
Dirt swirling around in your motor? Don't you have an engine with an oil filter? And isn't it supposed to filter out all that dirt swirling around in there?
Trying to judge how well an oil is performing by looking at the color is "rediculouse". Choose any one of the 3 you listed and rest easy at night. It'll be fine.
michaelc80,
Agreed, you make a good point. Really I mistated myself. What I should have said was used oil swirling around, as a result of the oil being used, it will darken. I'm just one who really prefers to change often and keep my oil clean. I will admit that I have lots of time on my hands, so for me, it's much fun to change it as well. Gives me something to do every 3 months. I get exctied when both cars are due at the same time..
Agreed, you make a good point. Really I mistated myself. What I should have said was used oil swirling around, as a result of the oil being used, it will darken. I'm just one who really prefers to change often and keep my oil clean. I will admit that I have lots of time on my hands, so for me, it's much fun to change it as well. Gives me something to do every 3 months. I get exctied when both cars are due at the same time..
Patman
Staff member
Are you sure we can't convince you to at least go 4 months/4k?
I'd be willing to bet your engine would last just as long with that regimen as it would going 3mo/3k. Heck, even 5mo/5k would make that engine last longer than you want it to.
I'd be willing to bet your engine would last just as long with that regimen as it would going 3mo/3k. Heck, even 5mo/5k would make that engine last longer than you want it to.
Or the engine.
I do have to admire your tenacity. Since it's clear that it will take us some time to convince you of the benefits of extending out that OCIquote:
Originally posted by mossad:
michaelc80,
Agreed, you make a good point. Really I mistated myself. What I should have said was used oil swirling around, as a result of the oil being used, it will darken. I'm just one who really prefers to change often and keep my oil clean. I will admit that I have lots of time on my hands, so for me, it's much fun to change it as well. Gives me something to do every 3 months. I get exctied when both cars are due at the same time..
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