Trying the new TropArtic 5w30 synblend

[Forkman]

My mother asked me if I could change the oil in her 03 Jeep with the 4.0L I-6. The vehicle was bought used with 33,000 miles on it. This is the first oil change it has seen since purchase in Oct. of this year.

Her and my father left it up to me to pick up the best oil for the best value, after finally convincing them that Valvoline isn't all that great of an oil and that there are much better oils available for a cheaper price. My father was particularly reluctant to give up his deathgrip on his precious Valvoline that "I've used in every car since the very first one I bought back in...."

I ended up going with the "new" 5w30 TropArtic that meets SM/GF-4 specs and says "synthetic blend" on the label. $1.12/qt at WalMart. Filter was a Purolator.

From doing some searching over the past few days on the forums I ran across info regarding all the ConocoPhilips line of oils stating something to the effect that the base oils in these GF-4 reformulations are something like 50%+ GrpIII and the remainder mostly GrpII with a little GrpI mixed in. Is this correct?

Also is this pretty much the same oil as Motorcraft or is the Motorcraft slightly different in additive package?

Finally, does anyone see a problem with using this oil in that engine? It'll be changed every 3000mi because of all the short trips the vehicle makes.

 

[Mr. Ram]

Hello Forkman:

Congrats on accepting the maintenance on the jeep

Most of post here seem to warrant the use of a 40 weight oil on the 4.0L engines, Although im sure there will be no probs with your current cost effective choice. Im sure alot of other 4.0L members will chime in on this one. You might want to search the UOA section or search for 4.0L and im sure you will dig up alot of valuable info.

 

[Forkman]

"Accepting the maintenance"... more like being guilted into it. I don't mind really. Its not like it takes a lot of time to do and hey I got a nice home cooked meal out of the ordeal. Pluse they only live about 3 blocks from me so its not like I had to travel across town or out of town to help them out.

You mentioned cost effective... and that it most certainly is. Total for 6qts+filter & tax = $9.65

I will be running a UOA on this oil at its next change interval just to be sure that this will be a good and cheap solution for my folks.

 

[427Z06]

For the 6 coldest months of the year, that might not be a bad choice. I'd use Delvac 1300S for the warmest 6 months. ~$1.72/qt at Walmart, and buy the same Motorcraft filter for $2.88. Actual Jeep 4.0L owners can probably fine tune my suggestions for ya'.

 

[JeepZJ4.0]

quote:

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Originally posted by 427Z06:
For the 6 coldest months of the year, that might not be a bad choice. I'd use Delvac 1300S for the warmest 6 months. ~$1.72/qt at Walmart, and buy the same Motorcraft filter for $2.88. Actual Jeep 4.0L owners can probably fine tune my suggestions for ya'.

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Not bad! You're catching on to the 4.0L method.

427Z06 has a good non-synthetic route to go. For the Winter, the 5w30 is ok, or even the 10w30. A 10w40 would provide better wear numbers and could actually be used all year. How cold does it get in Iowa?

 

[Al]

I think the TropArtic is a good choice. I believe that they make Motorcraft Oils but can't prove it. Hopefully in the coming months we will have more experiences with the GF-4 oils. I will have 3 oil analysis on 3 different cars and hopefully we will see some GF-4 Conoco oils and Motorcraft oils.

 

[chiefsfan]

I will have both UOAs for the old and new Trop-Artics within the next few months. I will post both.

 

[cheeks]

I've been keeping an eye out for the new TropArtic but so far all I've seen is old SJ and some SL bottles with dust on them.

I like the way Conoco/Phillips is raising the bar with their new lineup and I intend to patronize them...I'll buy the Motorcraft if I have to but I like the idea of buying CP's own label instead.

$1.12 / quart for this stuff is just flat out stupid. Price really isn't an object with me but for cripes sake how can you turn this down....if what I've been reading about it is true, you could pay $2 / quart and still be getting a good deal in my opinion.

 

[427Z06]

quote:

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Originally posted by cheeks:
$1.12 / quart for this stuff is just flat out stupid. Price really isn't an object with me but for cripes sake how can you turn this down....if what I've been reading about it is true, you could pay $2 / quart and still be getting a good deal in my opinion.

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Stop saying this. If it turns in great UOAs and one of the Conoco marketing lurkers see this, they'll raise the price.

 

[michaelc80]

Both of my Jeep 4.0's tend to like the heavier 30 weights or 40 weights. I'd use the Trop-Artic for the winter, and do a UOA and see what kind of numbers it returns. If the iron is high (4.0's normally shed a lot of iron) then switch to a 40 weight.

I don't know the numbers of this oil, but if it's a thick 30 weight it may be enough to control the iron to reasonable levels.

I'm currently testing two grades of Amsoil in mine-5W40 European Forumula in one and 5W30 Series 3000 in the other Jeep. It will be interesting to see the numbers when it's time to do a UOA in March/April.

 

[Forkman]

Well I spoke with my mother yesterday to ask her about cold startup in the morning with the TropArtic. She said the usual light clatter that they had noticed since they bought the Jeep was now gone. Prior it used to have a light clatter for a few minutes till the engine began to warm up but she said she can't hear it anymore.

Oh yes, and I convinced her to ignore the owners manual during the summer and run a 40wt. oil.