What do you top off with?

Sawdusted · Nov 7, 2013

Guys,
Currently running full synthetic which extends the drain intervals. I'm finding the need to top off the oil between oil changes.

If you're running full synthetic, do you usually top off with the same brand full synthetic as what's the last fill, or do you go for something less expensive like cheaper full synthetics, syn blend or conventional oil?

Thanks

Trajan · Nov 7, 2013

Same as what's in there.

mclasser · Nov 7, 2013

You can technically top off with any type as they all should play nice with each other.

I always have left over oil in those 5 qt jugs from the previous OCI so I just use that if needed.

ThirdeYe · Nov 7, 2013

I usually just use leftovers of 5 quart jugs. Most of the cars I maintain only take 4 quarts or less. I topped off my current fill of Pennzoil Platinum with 1 quart of Pennzoil Ultra I had leftover from a previous oil change. It was the closest leftover I had to what was currently in there.

Brybo86 · Nov 7, 2013

Originally Posted By: Trajan
Same as what's in there.

always top off with the same stuff

OtisBlkR1 · Nov 7, 2013

whatever is on the shelf and fairly close to the right weight

Im in the same boat as mentioned above, i usually use leftovers from previous changes.. although i do have a frankenbrew jug.. the lord only knows exactly what weight it is.. its had so many leftover oils added to it over the years, everthing from 20-50 bike oil to 0w20 conventional and syn both.. ive used "Frankenbrew" on a slew of top-ups and different applications.

Sawdusted · Nov 7, 2013

Well, I don't have much left over with most oil changes. And any oil left over gets top-up duty and I need more than the 5 qt specials for top ups. Yes I have got oil burners/users.

That is why I was asking if people bought extra of the same oil to tide them over till next oil change?

dailydriver · Nov 7, 2013

If I do not have any of the last OCI fill oil around, and cannot get it quickly, I get a quart of Mobil 1 0W-40 from Sino Mart.

donnyj08 · Nov 7, 2013

if your cars are heavy burners i would switch them back to a conventional or A cheaper High Mileage oil like Maxlife and sve yourself some money. You can buy 5qt jugs of conventional top off for the price of a couple qts of syn.

Shannow · Nov 8, 2013

I've always maintained that if you don't need to add anything until nearly the end of the OCI, a straight 30 would probably be most compatible with anything you are running...not as compatible as what you are running, but cheaper and fine for a few thousand K.

bvance554 · Nov 8, 2013

Whatever I have handy.

strat81 · Nov 8, 2013

Whatever is around.

Rolla07 · Nov 8, 2013

Same if i have or at least match syn to syn etc..

TFB1 · Nov 8, 2013

If the next OCI is coming due in the next month or so I probably won't add anything, otherwise there's a 99% chance I'll add exactly what I used for last fill(which was a 50/50 mix of Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w20 & 0W-40)...

killswitch83 · Nov 8, 2013

I always go back with the same stuff I put in on that particular OCI, though that said I do have some leftover Mobil 1 High Mileage I might consider shaking up and topping off with if I happen to run low (I usually have to add a quart at approx. 3500 miles, and the past 2 OCI's have been 4000-4100 miles to establish some UOA data, therefore this quart might be wasted a bit, but what the hey.....)

901Memphis · Nov 8, 2013

My Buick doesn't use any oil it's so frustrating!

fdcg27 · Nov 8, 2013

The only car we have that requires any oil adds is the old BMW.
To top up the Maxlife, I'll use either Durablend or Nextgen in 10W-40, since I have both in quarts, which are more convenient to use for adds than jugs.
Try to stay as close to the original oil in a top-off as you can.

toneydoc · Nov 8, 2013

Only thing I have to top off is the Jeep. It gets the oil mix in frankenbrew jug which has everything from 0w20 to 20w50 mixed in. The Jeep does not care and always says thanks for the drink

Jay1981 · Nov 8, 2013

Originally Posted By: donnyj08
if your cars are heavy burners i would switch them back to a conventional or A cheaper High Mileage oil like Maxlife and sve yourself some money. You can buy 5qt jugs of conventional top off for the price of a couple qts of syn.

+1 I guess it really depends on just how much its burning. If it burns and or leaks a lot, there's really no point in using synthetic.
Our Town & Country which we bought back in January from a dealer, not knowing what type of oil had been used previously, I did an OC in april with Castrol syntec. I'm going for a one year OCI. After 6 months time I had to add half a qt. Now I happened to have more of the same oil on hand because I got a good deal on it so that's what I topped off with but its not going to keep getting synthetic if it continues to use oil.

Donald · Nov 8, 2013

Originally Posted By: Sawdusted
Guys,
Currently running full synthetic which extends the drain intervals. I'm finding the need to top off the oil between oil changes.

If you're running full synthetic, do you usually top off with the same brand full synthetic as what's the last fill, or do you go for something less expensive like cheaper full synthetics, syn blend or conventional oil?

Thanks

Same as what in there if possible. Forget about a used oil analysis if you mix oils.

What do you top off with?

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