Switching oil brands on Buick 2.4: should I?

[Benzadmiral]

The 2.4-engined, non-turbo Regal has run well this past 2.5 years with the AC Delco dexos1 5w30 oil from the dealer. In January of this year, experimenting*, I switched to Quaker State Ultimate Durability, a synthetic with the dexos certification. My regular mechanic did the swap, and I swear I remember checking the oil level and finding it good in January and February.

I let my oil checking slide -- there's a post here about this -- and was startled when I found in early May that I was two quarts low. No visible leaks, the air filter was not oily or clogged, but two quarts of Quaker State Ultimate Durability gone in 2 months/about 1800 miles. I quickly topped off with Castrol Magnatec, as it was a reasonably-priced dexos1 synblend, and then had the oil changed back to AC Delco at the dealer.

Result: 4 months, about 3000 miles, and the oil level hasn't budged.

So, you say, "Stay with the AC Delco!" And I may, since the dealer's price, $39.95, includes tire rotation. However, I just bought new tires last month and don't need a rotation so soon. If I did want to change as an experiment (and save a few bucks: buying the oil and filter at WMart and bringing them to my usual shop will run me about $30), what would you recommend? The Castrol Magnatec seems to be well thought of here. What have you used?


* "Everybody experiments in college --!"

 

[crazyoildude]

How many mils on the Buick?
A/C Delco is Mobil if they did not change brands and its good oil..

 

[JayhawkRoy]

Daughter runs Magnatec with good success in her 2011 Subaru 2.5i. We will continue this regimen.

However, your experience with the AC Delco choice is good, and personally I would stick with it. One short tire rotation to get oil change and tire rotations aligned together is not a big deal.

 

[Tdbo]

Sounds like the AC Delco is the ticket. May want to find out who blends it. I think at one time at least, it was an ExxonMobil product.
Another tact to take is to ask the dealer to do an oil change without the rotation. I have done that before for usually a $10.00 discount.

 

[Benzadmiral]

The Regal has 68K miles and a bit. Under my watch it's had changes about every 6 months/4500 miles (I don't drive too much in this city). Yes, the dealer has been quite accommodating, and they may be willing to skip the tire rotation and give me a discount.

 

[Nick1994]

I probably wouldn't use an oil that consumed so much initially again. I'd try something else. Magnatec?

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: Nick1994
I probably wouldn't use an oil that consumed so much initially again. I'd try something else. Magnatec?

Right, that's what I was wondering. Quaker State Ultimate Durability had and has a lot of raves here, so I thought I'd try it once my warranty-period free OCs were used up.

Apparently Magnatec is the new fair-haired child on BITOG, so I thought it might be fun to use once. Otherwise I'm fine with the package from the dealer; they've always done well by me.

 

[BrocLuno]

Gotta think the Quaker State Ultimate Durability was going past the rings (not likely with that few miles), or past the PCV valve.

So if you're going to do this yourself (non-dealer) try Mobil 1 in one of the many flavors.

AC Delco is not a refiner. They buy their oil packaged for them. If it Mobil doing the work, why not just run Mobil 1 straight up

 

[Benzadmiral]

Which is their synblend now -- I've forgotten the name? Or would it matter, and I should just go with Mobil Super synthetic?

 

[BrocLuno]

Mobil Super would be a good choice