Thinking of changing back to dino

[DKT]

I used to have the oil changed in my wife's minivan at Walmart - cheapest change available. I then read the oil bible and was convinced to change to synthetic (castrol syntec @ Walmart). I then discovered this website and now have more options that I can imagine - so I need some advice from the experts.

The minivan see mostly short trips (5 miles or less) and many are under 1 mile. We don't put many miles on the van (12K per year). It currently has 60K on it.

I had Terry do a review of the 1st UOA on the Castrol Syntec and the engine seems to be fine, and always has run well. When I posted the results here, some of the comments came back saying that I should switch to a dino and save the money.

I get the impression from reading this site that Dino's have a tendency to sludge up more that synthetics, and this concerns me.

I just changed out M1 10W30 and put in M1 10W30 so it will be a while before I change it again. I sent the sample off to Terry again, and I'll post the lab results when received.

I thinking of going cheap to Super Tech 10W30 or Super Tech Synthetic.

What do you recommend?

 

[Al]

I think that the new GF-4 oils will be a solid alternative to Synthetics. I was a Synthetic worshiper but I have strayed

.

I think that going shorter OCI's with Dino oils make a whole lot of sense.

Just keep your eyes open here to see which dino oils do the best. I realize this may be subjective..but some of us have nothing better to do.

I wouldn't go the Supertech rout though. Who knows who will have made it by the time you see an oil analysis on it and buy it. Go with a name brand.

I'm currently using Motorcraft and Havoline. The Havoline cost $1.08 after rebate

. I plan on 5K changes.

 

[C4Dave]

If you are using Terry to evaluate UOAs, ask him. I would value his opinion above all others.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

Rather than Super Tech, use Walmart's bulk Pennzoil. It consistently gets good reviews here and I have used it for over 20 years with no problems -- sludging or otherwise. Because of the short trips, I would be inclined to use dino and change at every 5000 miles, rather than use a a synhthetic and go with longer intervals.

 

[MADMIKE]

I agree--shorter OCI's with dino is the cheapest way to go--synthetics are overpriced for the additional protection and extended drain intervals they provide. If they cost 50% more than dino they'd make sense but they cost 4 to 5 times more--no way!

 

[Drew99GT]

quote:

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Originally posted by DKT:
I used to have the oil changed in my wife's minivan at Walmart - cheapest change available. I then read the oil bible and was convinced to change to synthetic (castrol syntec @ Walmart). I then discovered this website and now have more options that I can imagine - so I need some advice from the experts.

The minivan see mostly short trips (5 miles or less) and many are under 1 mile. We don't put many miles on the van (12K per year). It currently has 60K on it.

I had Terry do a review of the 1st UOA on the Castrol Syntec and the engine seems to be fine, and always has run well. When I posted the results here, some of the comments came back saying that I should switch to a dino and save the money.

I get the impression from reading this site that Dino's have a tendency to sludge up more that synthetics, and this concerns me.

I just changed out M1 10W30 and put in M1 10W30 so it will be a while before I change it again. I sent the sample off to Terry again, and I'll post the lab results when received.

I thinking of going cheap to Super Tech 10W30 or Super Tech Synthetic.

What do you recommend?

---

Since your van sees such short trips, I would NOT go 5,000 mile intervals with dino. I'd go 3,500-4,000 MAX with your driving situation. If you do all highway, 5,000 would be a no brainer. Dinos and sludging: I haven't seen it if you use common sense and taylor your oil change interval to the ambient conditions and driving conditions you do. Your in Houston; I'd go a hair longer down there compared to where I live for instance, even with short trip driving because what's the lowest temp you'll see, maybe 30F in the dead of winter?

 

[DKT]

It gets a little colder than 30 here in the winter, but not much lower and never stays there for the entire day.

I went over 6,000 miles on this last batch of M1, because the last 2,500 was a trip over spring break to Fla.

We'll see how the UOA looks (should get it sometime next week).

 

[bulwnkl]

DKT, I think that the all-fleet oils are an excellent compromise for someone in your situation. They are half or less the price of synthetics, but will deal with your short trips just as well. They are commonly seen in 15W40, but are available in 10W30 as well.
Look in the yellow pages for oil distributors. They will carry the 10W30 Delo 400 or Delvac 1300 Super or Rotella T or Taction (Castrol).
It will give you everything you appear to need for ~$2-$2.50 per quart.

 

[Elroy the Unique]

quote:

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Originally posted by JayhawkRoy:
Rather than Super Tech, use Walmart's bulk Pennzoil. It consistently gets good reviews here and I have used it for over 20 years with no problems -- sludging or otherwise. Because of the short trips, I would be inclined to use dino and change at every 5000 miles, rather than use a a synhthetic and go with longer intervals.

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What about using Pennzoil under different conditions? I drive about 70 miles per day (two long commutes). With the new dinos and given my driving conditions, what is the longest I could go on the dino without sludging / excessive wear?

 

[mikemc]

Considering all the short trips you make, I would go to a dino and change every 3K or 6 months, whichever comes first. I am a Havoline guy, but any of the SM/GF-4 dinos will do.