Using different brands is BETTER for engine?

[RamFan]

Yes I have searched and can't find the original thread I was looking for nor can I find the linked article that was in the thread.

A couple months ago someone brought up the question that mixing gasoline brands might actually be better in controlling deposits due to the following theory. Brand X uses additives A, B, and C. Brand Y uses additives D, E, and F. The deposits that Brand X can't get rid of because of its additive package, Brand Y can because of its additive package and vice versa. Now I'm not sure if I buy this theory, I'm wishy-washy on it. I get the concept but not sure how much a difference it would actually make.

Regardless, my question to you guys is whether or not you think the same theory could be applied to motor oil. We all know that alternating brands and mixing brands is perfectly fine, but could it actually be BETTER for combating deposits and sludge build up?

 

[lexus114]

The way I look at it is this way; experiment with different oil`s/fuel brands until you find what your vehicle seems to like best. Then stick with it.

 

[crazyoildude]

personally i use any name brand gas in all my cars and trucks and as for oil i use what i have at the shop which is either conoco or mobil in the drums which ever is cheaper and any time i sent the oil to blackstone the tests show great results. As long as you use api sm or sn from a reputable company you will have great results unless there is something wrong with your engine..

 

[sir1900]

I believe this is the thread you are referring to

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/2438801/

 

[RamFan]

Originally Posted By: sir1900
I believe this is the thread you are referring to

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/2438801/


I found that thread in my search but I don't think it's the one I was thinking about. I remember it gathering quite a bit of responses and there was a link to an article in the thread touting the possible benefits of mixing gasoline brands.

 

[Mark72]

Originally Posted By: sir1900
I believe this is the thread you are referring to

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/2438801/



WOOT!!!! I started that thread

 

[tig1]

No!

 

[sir1900]

Let's say you are using M1 and PP.... would you put in half M1 and half PP? Or do you mean dump the M1 and change to PP?

Mixing in half and half isn't going to cause your engine to blow up, so I can't see the harm in doing that. I don't know if there is any true benefit to doing this though.

Switching brands wouldn't yield any benefit as the residual from the leftover is too small to truly make a difference, if any.

Just my

 

[[RT] ProjUltraZ]

how can you not try new oils, this is BiTOG

 

[RamFan]

Alright I see that BITOGers are on the same page in this regard. Of course I use different oils, I just figured I'd expand the inquiry from gas brands to oil brands.

 

[nleksan]

I NEVER mix oils while they're in my car, but I have found a benefit in switching between (in my case) Royal Purple and Redline oils. I'll do 2-3 OCI's of one, then the same for the other...

After having done that for ~2yrs (getting rid of Castrol gunk...), when I opened up my valve cover to replace my camshaft with a hotter Schrick set, everything looked sparkling new!

Not saying it will work for everyone, but for the BMW M52TUB28 engine, it works AWESOME!

 

[01rangerxl]

I frequently change brands of oil. Usually my decision is based on convenience, curiosity, and/or price. Lately Mobil 1 has been the flavor of choice because Wal-Mart sells it and it's less than $30 for a 5 quart jug. I don't think it's necessarily helping the engine, but I highly doubt it's doing any damage.

Also, I rarely have to add oil, but if I do it's whatever is in the garage. I'm sure I've had Kendall mixed with Mobil before. Never had any problems from it.

 

[nascarnation]

As my buddy who used to work at Standard of Ohio (now BP) used to say: everybody cheats on the additives, but they don't all cheat on the same ones. So there's a lot of merit to this approach.

 

[GMorg]

I think that you may have a point when you are talking about cleaning abilities. I am not as convinced about boundary lubrication. I am curious if maintenance of the boundary film has to go through a huge transition every time the additive package is changed. If you stay with same basic mechanism then no transition would happen. However, you switched from moly-based to titanium-based boundary lubrication doe the film have go through a transition period that is less effective than the steady-state film of either package?

I'm not claiming anything. I am just thinking out loud, figuratively that is.