What criteria do you use when selecting a motor oil?

[mojoe]

I am a consumer who has developed an interest in maintaining my own vehicles in my retirement years. I come here for information and advice. I peruse similar forums and YouTube. I dig and research as best as I can. I talk to friends and acquaintances who have a lot more experience and knowledge than me. I think it's all fascinating. Then I buy motor oil for my cars.

How do you decide which oil to use in your cars?

 

[AutoMechanic]

I just buy brands I know and trust and use whatever is specified on the cap. It works for me so that’s what I do.

 

[marc1]

The lowest cost brand name synthetic. Typically that is any one of Kirkland Signature, Supertech, Mobil 1 or Pennzoil. Mobil 1 and Pennzoil frequently have rebates that are attractive.

 

[tah8436]

Price is certainly a consideration for me, especially since both of my cars are 20 years old. If I can get something <$2/qt, I usually feel comfortable throwing it in either vehicle. Neither burn much oil.

I don’t mind spending more on a well-constructed oil filter, though.

 

[Z28racecar]

The three things I look at when choosing oil are viscosity index, HTHS, and noack.

As far as filters, I'd go for something like a carquest premium. They are 10 bucks, 99.5% efficient at 20 microns, and are built very well. You can't beat them for cost and quality.

 

[Japanese]

I am a consumer who has developed an interest in maintaining my own vehicles in my retirement years. I come here for information and advice. I peruse similar forums and YouTube. I dig and research as best as I can. I talk to friends and acquaintances who have a lot more experience and knowledge than me. I think it's all fascinating. Then I buy motor oil for my cars.

How do you decide which oil to use in your cars?

For me the most important is base oils, additive package, and price too.
Any of GTL, PAO and possibly group IV and group V synthetics is nice to have. That's why I read on here because manufacturer don't include that info on the PDS.

Currently running Valvoline Restore and Protect which most likely doesn't have any of the above but shows excellent UOA and cleaning results too.

 

[Mike_dup1]

Been using same brand since circa 1976, AMSOIL. Simple, never have to think about it.

 

[BigCahuna]

I'll pick an oil that has current API ratings, and is cheap . I like store brand oil from Advanced auto parts. Oil is not an investment, you buy it, use it for a while, then you throw it away, and repeat. Never had an engine problem doing it that way. The rest of the car or the transmission will go before the engine fails. I wish I could believe otherwise, but that's been my experience since 1973.,,

 

[DemoFly]

Cheapest VW 502/504 or Porsche A40 on the shelf.

 

[doitmyself]

Don't over think it. I buy what makes me feel good and meets my needs and wants. I accept that every single person's choice is based on their unique situation and doesn't bear on my decisions. I choose API certified oils, maybe/maybe not the vehicles recommended viscosity, using a reasonable OCI. After that, it depends on the information I learn here to tweak my decision. Currently using Valvoline Restore and Protect to see if it might lower my new minor oil consumption.

 

[heavy260]

I'll pick an oil that has current API ratings, and is cheap . I like store brand oil from Advanced auto parts. Oil is not an investment, you buy it, use it for a while, then you throw it away, and repeat. Never had an engine problem doing it that way. The rest of the car or the transmission will go before the engine fails. I wish I could believe otherwise, but that's been my experience since 1973.,,

That second to last sentence is the truth when you live in the salt belt.

 

[symon]

Good brand, correct spec and the right price.

I tend to buy the one which has the best deal on at the time I need it.

 

[dbias]

HTHS of >3.5 and NOACK below <8 basically a very good euro oil as I have mostly VW at the moment but would run the same in anything I would and have owned.

 

[skyactiv]

I don't think much about it. I was in Walmart and noticed Castrol 5W30 Euro K knowing it is inferior to Mobil ESP, but I bought it anyways and I don't care. I threw the powertrain warranty out the window when I flashed an APR tune on my GLI.

Regarding the BMW, I'm not touching it and could care less what the dealer puts in it. I did maintain her last car, an Audi she bought new and had for 10 years, but the resell is worth more showing oil changes on a Carfax report.

 

[GRjdm]

Top 2 priorities are API/ACEA oil specs and cost.
Followed by UOA/VOA/base stock blend/additive.
All my vehicles have OCI of 5,000 miles or less.

 

[Passport1]

What criteria do you use when selecting a motor oil?​

I'm sensitive to bottle color.

For several decades would only buy monochromatic cans/bottles/jugs, mainly yellow. Then I switched to mostly green. Lately my preference is for oil in silver jugs. Might jump to red or white soon. I've seen some attractive blue jugs at Walmart also. I agree with everybody here, oil is a complicated topic.

 

[DCDG]

I am a consumer who has developed an interest in maintaining my own vehicles in my retirement years. I come here for information and advice. I peruse similar forums and YouTube. I dig and research as best as I can. I talk to friends and acquaintances who have a lot more experience and knowledge than me. I think it's all fascinating. Then I buy motor oil for my cars.

How do you decide which oil to use in your cars?

I use what my owners manual calls for and when the price is right I buy in bulk. full synthetic will last several years in a cool and dry storage area.

 

[mt23]

I take into consideration that:

-The requirements or approvals by manufacturer have been met or exceeded

-the W characteristic of oil is suitable for minimum temperature the engine will see

- viscosities recommended for use in other countries, not neutering longevity for the sake of CAFE fines.

-any reputation or following the oil has for performance and cleanliness above other oils.

 

[DCDG]

I take into consideration that:

-The requirements or approvals by manufacturer have been met or exceeded

-the W characteristic of oil is suitable for minimum temperature the engine will see

- viscosities recommended for use in other countries, not neutering longevity for the sake of CAFE fines.

-any reputation or following the oil has for performance and cleanliness above other oils.

cafe doesn't ruin engines poor machining and engine design does. lets not get into the thick & thin talk. too many honda's and toyota's are still lurking the roads on 20 wt oils.

 

[mt23]

I didnt bring it into thick or thin. I take viscosities in other countries into consideration when making a decision for any engine