Total/ELF vs. Store Brands

[Audi Junkie]

Originally Posted By: AudiSport
Well in my platform, we want at least 200*F


+212f = +100c

That's the temp the visc for the SAE label is taken.

Above that, it's thinning substantially, that's why you want a thicker oil. When a 40 weight heats to about +225f, it thins from 14cSt to 10cSt, which you don't want to get below. Above +225f, you are looking at a 50 weight needed to keep decent visc.

I wasn't sure if the celsius and farenheight got mixed up on your end.

 

[AudiSport]

^ Thanks.. I'm kinda still @ a loss here with all the different recommendations.. On the Audi forums, oil is whatever cup of tea you prefer it seems, on here I'm overwhelmed with information HAHA. I need someone to make a definitive answer for me! I'll only have this oil in for 3,500 miles like I said, and I'm really just looking to make it a little bit easier by going to the store shelves rather than having it shipped. I do however daily drive my car more so after the summer, right now I kinda just joy ride it as I'm working in NYC. I do a lot of tuning/logging with the car where I bring it to redline in 3rd, etc, so I was just looking for a good oil that can still provide the same that Total did, whatever that was exactly!

 

[AudiSport]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Originally Posted By: AudiSport
Well in my platform, we want at least 200*F


+212f = +100c

That's the temp the visc for the SAE label is taken.

Above that, it's thinning substantially, that's why you want a thicker oil. When a 40 weight heats to about +225f, it thins from 14cSt to 10cSt, which you don't want to get below. Above +225f, you are looking at a 50 weight needed to keep decent visc.

I wasn't sure if the celsius and farenheight got mixed up on your end.



Oh, I see what you're saying now.. That's good to know how the oil breaks down after that rating. I gotcha ! So for the summer months, I will try to find myself something a bit thicker. Like I said I've seen so many different recommendations now I still don't know what to look for when I go to Advanced. Mobil 1 is not great, right? I can look for the Valvoline or PP.

 

[Audi Junkie]

The SynPower 20w-50 is the best 50 weight around, and it seem like that's what you need based on your reported oil temps. You can thin that w/10w-30 as needed as it gets cold, but watch the oil temps stay in the right range for the mix you've done.

Basically, I suggest customizing your own oil for the seasons. The thick oil you need in summer is too thick for the cold. Right now, SynPower 20w-50 is a good start.

 

[AudiSport]

^ Thanks Audi Junkie.. I don't have to worry that it's a blend of synthetic and not full? I've been running full forever.

 

[Audi Junkie]

The term synthetic is a whole thing unto itself. There are a lot of different definitions. An oil like Shell Rotella is labeled synthetic, but is a Groupe III "slack wax" base oil, same as in their high end Shell Helix Ultra, that Ferrari charges $50 a quart for. Europeans used to consider only GIV and GV as synthetics, but has since included GIII in their definition.

That being as it is, SynPower 20w-50 is one of the only GIV (PAO) base oils on the otc market, and one of the only 50s as well. You said you wanted an equivalent to a Euro oil.

5w-40 might work ok for you in the spring and fall, but you do need a 50 in summer. Come winter, you will need to find another solution because of your extreme climate.

 

[AudiSport]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
The term synthetic is a whole thing unto itself. There are a lot of different definitions. An oil like Shell Rotella is labeled synthetic, but is a Groupe III "slack wax" base oil, same as in their high end Shell Helix Ultra, that Ferrari charges $50 a quart for. Europeans used to consider only GIV and GV as synthetics, but has since included GIII in their definition.

That being as it is, SynPower 20w-50 is one of the only GIV (PAO) base oils on the otc market, and one of the only 50s as well. You said you wanted an equivalent to a Euro oil.

5w-40 might work ok for you in the spring and fall, but you do need a 50 in summer. Come winter, you will need to find another solution because of your extreme climate.


You're the man! Thanks for all your advice/info/knowledge/everything you've provided.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
SynPower 20w-50 is one of the only GIV (PAO) base oils on the otc market, and one of the only 50s as well.


Is this true of ALL the SynPower weights (not just the 20W-50), as well as the SynPower Racing oils?

(I am asking this because I really want to know, I am NOT trying to knock/disparage the Valvoline product's quality!!)

 

[Audi Junkie]

Originally Posted By: AudiSport
Is Royal Purple a scam or is that pretty good oil? I certainly don't have any data myself, I'm just curious as to opinions.


It's purple, don't you get it?

 

[BobFout]

Originally Posted By: AudiSport
Is Royal Purple a scam or is that pretty good oil? I certainly don't have any data myself, I'm just curious as to opinions.


AS, here's a google search of BITOG for Royal Purple. Should be plenty of information, pro and con.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&a...nlo=&as_nhi

Also consider googling for Royal Purple, see what is said on other sites.

 

[wallyuwl]

Originally Posted By: dailydriver
Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
SynPower 20w-50 is one of the only GIV (PAO) base oils on the otc market, and one of the only 50s as well.


Is this true of ALL the SynPower weights (not just the 20W-50), as well as the SynPower Racing oils?

(I am asking this because I really want to know, I am NOT trying to knock/disparage the Valvoline product's quality!!)


I'd like to know this as well.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Just the 20w-50.

 

[wallyuwl]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Just the 20w-50.


Any other readily available OTC oils that have base V? Or even IV?

 

[Audi Junkie]

German Syntec and probably Mobil 1 0w-40.

Base oil is really a non-issue. It's just part of the formulation.

 

[lipadj46]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie

I would skip the Mobil 1 15w-50, but if you could find Pennzoil Platinum 15w-50, try that.


Not sure why we are skipping Mobil 1 15w50. It has always seemed to as well as Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck and Rotella in used oil analysis is gas engines and has higher additive concentrations. I know you know a guy and all but still Mobil 1 15w50 has been highly regarded here as a tough oil, unless things have changed in the past few months.

 

[zoomzoom]

if you don't track your car stick with GC or Rotella T6 (5w40).

 

[Nickdfresh]

Originally Posted By: AudiSport
Is Royal Purple a scam or is that pretty good oil? ...


Probably a little bit of both.

 

[lexus114]

Seems people here bash RP real bad,I dont really know why? I used it in the past,and it seemed fine to me.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Originally Posted By: lipadj46
Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie

I would skip the Mobil 1 15w-50, but if you could find Pennzoil Platinum 15w-50, try that.


Not sure why we are skipping Mobil 1 15w50. It has always seemed to as well as Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck and Rotella in used oil analysis is gas engines and has higher additive concentrations. I know you know a guy and all but still Mobil 1 15w50 has been highly regarded here as a tough oil, unless things have changed in the past few months.


I don't know what happened to my post on this, but my MASTER Porsche Mechanic whose Dad is a 35 year Master BMW Mechanic who also happens to hold a Full Competition Race Licence says he sees many blown engines on Mobil 1 Red Cap, where another brand's 50 weight averts problems under the same conditions.

This isn't me, because I don't use the stuff, but someone who is OVER qualified to say so. Heaven forbid I just post my opinion.