It doesn't matter. Specifications matter.
Switching dino oil brands every OCI
- Thread starter ajchien
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Well, I can promise you folks the dealer doesn't care. At both Ma's Toyota and Caddy dealer and two different Hyundai dealers, I've gone strolling through the back lot. I'm looking for the tank they draw oil from. Without exception, they have lots of different stickers. Castrol, QS, Pennzoil. 5W30, 10W30 all with recent dating. I suppose the distributor's guy slaps em on. If it's not such a big deal for the dealer (and hence, the manufacturer), what's it matter to us?
Like Bill said, for 99% of the engines out there, what's it matter? "Optimal" is following the service schedule, and from what I can glean from the used oil analysis and the VOAs, the oil out there now in GF4/SM IS optimal. That being the case, buying cheap is the way to go. If you have a turbo, by all means, do syn. Long drains, use syn. But "optimal" is truly a state of mind at the current levels of quality. It's all optimal for most apps. Who's gonna argue with the used oil analysis after all?
Like Bill said, for 99% of the engines out there, what's it matter? "Optimal" is following the service schedule, and from what I can glean from the used oil analysis and the VOAs, the oil out there now in GF4/SM IS optimal. That being the case, buying cheap is the way to go. If you have a turbo, by all means, do syn. Long drains, use syn. But "optimal" is truly a state of mind at the current levels of quality. It's all optimal for most apps. Who's gonna argue with the used oil analysis after all?
Originally Posted By: ajchien
Hi folks,
I was wondering if you guys usually stuck to one brand of oil or if you switched brands often.
I guess this is hardly scientific, but I put over 300K miles on an '88 Cougar that I purchased new and I probably used a different oil each oil change. It never had the valve covers or oil pan off. Believe it or not, it was the 3.8 engine. The rest of the car wore out before the engine.
I've also owned 4 Aerostars that have had over 250K each before retiring them. No engine problems on any of them and they each had multiple brands of oil.
My 92 Dodge Dakota had a distributor gear fail, but I don't know what the previous owner did for maintenance and those gears are known to fail anyway.
The last thing on earth that I worry about is being loyal to a certain brand of oil.
Hi folks,
I was wondering if you guys usually stuck to one brand of oil or if you switched brands often.
I guess this is hardly scientific, but I put over 300K miles on an '88 Cougar that I purchased new and I probably used a different oil each oil change. It never had the valve covers or oil pan off. Believe it or not, it was the 3.8 engine. The rest of the car wore out before the engine.
I've also owned 4 Aerostars that have had over 250K each before retiring them. No engine problems on any of them and they each had multiple brands of oil.
My 92 Dodge Dakota had a distributor gear fail, but I don't know what the previous owner did for maintenance and those gears are known to fail anyway.
The last thing on earth that I worry about is being loyal to a certain brand of oil.
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?
You're way out front of the learning curve, ajchien. Congratulations! Any major brand dino API SM rated motor oil at 5K OCI and you're covered.
Buy your favorite color plastic oil bottle. Buy it on sale. Enjoy.
You're way out front of the learning curve, ajchien. Congratulations! Any major brand dino API SM rated motor oil at 5K OCI and you're covered.
Buy your favorite color plastic oil bottle. Buy it on sale. Enjoy.
Just make sure to check the oil level consistently and top off as needed, especially for engines that burn oil its the more important concern than what oil brand you use so just make sure to keep it topped off like I have to every week so whichever brand you use is there to do its job.
i will second this one.
the only oil related problems i ever had were the result of low level.
in my lifetime but limited experience, it takes plenty of abuse to seize an engine.
i wonder if low level does not surpass contamination as the primary cause of lubrication related problems
the only oil related problems i ever had were the result of low level.
in my lifetime but limited experience, it takes plenty of abuse to seize an engine.
i wonder if low level does not surpass contamination as the primary cause of lubrication related problems
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Just pick whatever is on sale and change it.
Simple for 99% of the engines out there.
99%? The actual percentage is no doubt in the majority, but 99% may be a little hyperbole.
For example, take all the VW and Audi threads on here. I think I'd follow what oils were on their list of approved oils (or something like Amsoil, Redline, etc.) Same with Porsche.
You might want to amend this to something like: If your car didn't come from the factory with some kind of synthetic oil, then grab the best deal on conventional oil you can get.
Just pick whatever is on sale and change it.
Simple for 99% of the engines out there.
99%? The actual percentage is no doubt in the majority, but 99% may be a little hyperbole.
For example, take all the VW and Audi threads on here. I think I'd follow what oils were on their list of approved oils (or something like Amsoil, Redline, etc.) Same with Porsche.
You might want to amend this to something like: If your car didn't come from the factory with some kind of synthetic oil, then grab the best deal on conventional oil you can get.
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Jett Rink, you are splitting hairs here. :no-no:
Quote:
For example, take all the VW and Audi threads on here. I think I'd follow what oils were on their list of approved oils (or something like Amsoil, Redline, etc.) Same with Porsche.
I've got 327k on a VW following what I have said.
I don't know what happened to VW from 1986 to know to require all of this special oils (I can see it in Turbo'd motors) and I have to say that this is ANOTHER reason why when it came time to buy a new car (a few times) I passed on VW even though the Jetta is a fine car.
But, look how many cars/trucks are sold overall compared to VW, Audi and Porsche. They don't sell that many.
I stand with what I said.
Take care, bill
For example, take all the VW and Audi threads on here. I think I'd follow what oils were on their list of approved oils (or something like Amsoil, Redline, etc.) Same with Porsche.
I've got 327k on a VW following what I have said.
I don't know what happened to VW from 1986 to know to require all of this special oils (I can see it in Turbo'd motors) and I have to say that this is ANOTHER reason why when it came time to buy a new car (a few times) I passed on VW even though the Jetta is a fine car.
But, look how many cars/trucks are sold overall compared to VW, Audi and Porsche. They don't sell that many.
I stand with what I said.
Take care, bill
Originally Posted By: levi
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?
You're way out front of the learning curve, ajchien. Congratulations! Any major brand dino API SM rated motor oil at 5K OCI and you're covered.
Buy your favorite color plastic oil bottle. Buy it on sale. Enjoy.
I agree with levi, you *are* way out in front of the learning curve.
Welcome to BITOG!
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?
You're way out front of the learning curve, ajchien. Congratulations! Any major brand dino API SM rated motor oil at 5K OCI and you're covered.
Buy your favorite color plastic oil bottle. Buy it on sale. Enjoy.
I agree with levi, you *are* way out in front of the learning curve.
Welcome to BITOG!
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