Switching dino oil brands every OCI

[ajchien]

Hi folks,

I was wondering if you guys usually stuck to one brand of oil or if you switched brands often. Local auto parts shops usually alternate between brands - castrol, pennzoil, valvoline etc. that go on sale weekly. If I were to switch brands every OCI to whatever was on sale, rather than sticking to one, it would save me a bit on the long run.

 

[Drivebelt]

Some people like one brand -- some switch to get whatever is on sale. Although I prefer one brand, I'm a sucker for switching. Any time a new flyer arrives with a motor oil on sale, it's hard (real hard) not to add some new oil to my oil stash. It's like a new trophy or catch-of-the-day to add to my shelf.

I also have a mix of 5 different 5w30's in my car right now.

I should have resisted the urge to join the BORG …er… um … BITOG oil collective.

 

[Black_Thunder]

Resistence is Futile






i myself can't resist the urge to change oils and mix it up now and then

 

[dnewton3]

First, you need to decide what is more important to you; saving every last penny, or doing used oil analysis.

I'll qualify my statement by saying that "saving every last penny" does not in any way indicate that you're cheap, or that bargin-based conventional oils are a bad choice.

It's a matter of used oil analysis being susceptable to the small but sometimes significant changes in chemistry between brands. If TRUE UOA statisitcal analysis is important to you, then it's better to stick with one brand and weight, and let long-term ranges and trends show you lubricant and engine health.

If you enjoy the victory of scoring a major brand quality oil at some discount price, and this leads you to swapping brands with each sale, that's also OK to do.

As far as the engine is concerned, you'll not hurt your engine in any way by swapping from brand to brand; it'll run just fine for many thousands of miles, and that small chemistry change won't effect it's ability to endure in the slightest.

I actually pursue BOTH theories! I enjoy scoring the BOGO sales at AAP for "synthetic" oil, and I'm not brand loyal in that regard in the slighest. I use any good oil I can find for my high mileage soccor-mom Villager minivan. At 160k miles, there is NOTHING wrong with it, and it keeps chugging along. I've even been known to splash some dino-juice in there with "reckless abandon" upon occasion.

However, with the Duramax diesel in my expensive truck, I am utilizing the consistent approach to used oil analysis. It's a very low mileage truck, bought new by me, so I'm interested in what effects and reactions I can graph with the long term approach to lubricant management. I'm nearing 15k miles on it. I'm going to commit heresey and try a long term project of running a conventional HDEO 10w30 (Rotella) for at least 30k+ miles, to track and trend my used oil analysis.

So my answer to your question, is "sort of"...
Decide what's more important to you, and follow that therom to the end. Don't let us decide what's important to you.

 

[badtlc]

I mostly agree with dnewton. It depends on the person. If you value cheap, 5k OCIs. It is fine but far from optimal.

If you want to do meaningful used oil analysis, try to stretch your OCIs, and keep more precise trending records, sticking to the same oil would be the wise choice.

 

[02zx9r]

Also agree with the two post above mine!

 

[daman]

In the vehicles i stick with one brand....

 

[Jason8691]

I switch at almost every change in my truck. But I always use a quality synthetic, or Maxlife. Seems oil is like beer, so many different brands and flavors that you cant just stick with one.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Look at ALL of my used oil analysis over the last 3 plus years (that would be called trending) in my Toyota Corolla.

I've used Mobil drive clean, Mobil 1, Pennzoil Platinum, Pennzoil conventional, Castrol GTX, Castrol Blend, Castrol Syntec, QS and Halvoline DS and did used oil analysis on EACH and EVERY one.

ALL of my used oil analysis come back perfect with low single digits wear. (the worst one was Mobil 1 and it was the only one with less than perfect)

Switching brands every OCI is not going to harm anything. The so called "additive clash" is not true. You do not have to stay with a single brand to have a long life engine.

The oil companies want you to stay with their oil bought at full retail to make sure you get long engine life.

Oh and use their logo when ever you can!

(sorry)

I guess I've been wrong for the last 30 plus years and hundreds of thousands of miles...

And please do not reply that the only reasons is why my used oil analysis are excellent are;

• $20 used oil analysis
• Blackstone
• Toyota (easy on the oil)
• More than 50 % highway driving

I've heard it all. We have seen Toyota's have bad used oil analysis. My Subaru (another "easy on the oil" engine) just turned in a bad used oil analysis.

I've had more than a couple of engines make 200+k and still running fine on YESTERDAYS conventional oils.

Just pick whatever is on sale and change it.

Simple for 99% of the engines out there.

Take care, bill

 

[02zx9r]

I always look forward to your posts Bill!

Thanks!!

 

[odessit]

++ On Bill's post.

 

[Nickdfresh]

Well, I've had my brand loyalties. But honestly with my current aging ride, I've no problems getting the major name brand oil forumlated by the lowest bidder.

But, I'd like to ask if anyone thinks that there is an advantage to using different types and brands of motor oil? Sort of similar to what many think regarding gasolines --that different brands are better at cleaning out certain types of deposits and therefore one should switch around brands frequently...

 

[stockrex]

I rather the money for my kids college edu. check out members who use the cheapest oil on sale with a reasonable oci and are runing well 5 100s miles. for the last 60k miles I have used [censored] knows what. I peeked through the fill hole and valve body looks like new. this is in michigan. mix away without worries but then be reasonable with ur oci, not all dino are created alike

 

[double vanos]

Bill's experience puts to rest (finally) the Dino vs Synthetic question, the brand mixing question, and the cheapest oil - is it OK? question.

And he backs it up with really good used oil analysis. Who could ask for anything more?

 

[Gary Allan]

While Bill's experience is not unique, it's not a slam dunk. You've got to admit that everything Bill has done has been a slam dunk. Do you know too many Bill's? What's the unique element? All the common oils/filters/cars ..or the totally uncommon Bill?

While all oils are compatible, they aren't all alike. Some engines react differently to different add packs. You can see with something like Redline on SOME ENGINES ..it takes a bit to settle down. On OTHER engines, it's just like it was Formula Shell 5w30 SM ..with mega vitamins.

 

[bobfather99]

This weekend Ill cross 4000 mile OCI in my Bonneville.
I change brands all the time.
Out goes the Quaker State, in goes Superflo this time around.

 

[ajchien]

Thanks for all the responses. Our two vehicles (CR-V and Element) have passed out of warranty and probably also out of any "goodwill" repairs by now, so I am moving from dealership service to a DIY schedule. Although I had seen quite a few posts on this forum regarding "buying one oil and sticking with it", it's awfully hard to pass up a $12.99 for 5 quarts with filter deal, when you can get a $6 store rebate and a $5 manufacturer rebate on top of that.

I've seen some used oil analysis posted here with conventional oils going 7000K miles and still having good numbers. I find it simple to go with 5000K OCI so that it can be easily remembered. Sometimes on a busy month, it may be put off till 5800K mi or so. I am extrapolating other folks' used oil analysis for my purpose and can I presume correctly that any dino Castrol, Pennzoil, Valvoline, Quakerstate or other can easily go up to the 5000K-6000Kmi range regardless on conditions?

 

[Nickdfresh]

I think 5000 is the new 3000 mile OCI...

 

[Cutehumor]

I change oil brands at every oil change basically and use different brand of gas at every fill up. price is the biggest determining factor.

 

[Gary Allan]

Price vs. Convenience vs. Habits ....the eternal battle ..