Hello folks and I have a question. Moderators please let me know if this is the wrong section. What do the folks that manage or work in a automotive shop use for your bulk or fleet oil? At my work we use Monarch which I think possibly is a lower tier version of Pennzoil conventional. Maybe wrong though as I never asked
What is your shop's bulk or fleet oil?
- Thread starter 53' Stude
- Start date
- Status
Each shop is different in term of bulk oil, the one that charges $19-20 oil change would use lowest cost possible and usually not name brand oil, plus el-cheapo oil filter. Shops that charge $30-35 for conventional oil change probably have better bulk oil.
The garage I went to has only bottle oil, mostly Shell or 76 with no-name filter. They charge $25 for up to 5-qt and $3 for extra quart.
The garage I went to has only bottle oil, mostly Shell or 76 with no-name filter. They charge $25 for up to 5-qt and $3 for extra quart.
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2006
- Messages
- 2,330
My local Chevrolet dealer uses Mobil Super for vehicles that do not require dexos.
So, could some shops skimp or go cheap and use like store brand oils instead of something like Quaker State Conventional or Mobil Super 5000 instead?
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2006
- Messages
- 2,330
I'm sure it's happening all over the country right now. Is this going somewhere?
Originally Posted By: car51
So, could some shops skimp or go cheap and use like store brand oils instead of something like Quaker State Conventional or Mobil Super 5000 instead?
Originally Posted By: car51
So, could some shops skimp or go cheap and use like store brand oils instead of something like Quaker State Conventional or Mobil Super 5000 instead?
No, I was curious is all
I was trying to ask by asking if shops could skimp and go cheap on oil if they were using non API certified oils Btw
We have a few different types of oil in bulk.
We have Motorcraft blend in 0w20, 5w20, 5w30, full synthetic 0w20, and 15w40. We also have Motorcraft Mercon V in bulk.
For the Mazda cars, we have either Castrol SPT 0W20 or Idemitsu 0W20 in barrels. The Castrol comes from Mazda's bulk oil program.
We have Motorcraft blend in 0w20, 5w20, 5w30, full synthetic 0w20, and 15w40. We also have Motorcraft Mercon V in bulk.
For the Mazda cars, we have either Castrol SPT 0W20 or Idemitsu 0W20 in barrels. The Castrol comes from Mazda's bulk oil program.
We're using Castrol Magnatec Professional OE 5w-40, an acea C3 oil amongst others.
we have a few Castrol Magnatec Professional B4 bottles in stock for cars not suited for low Saps.
Gear oil is Castrol Syntrans multivehicle 75w-90 GL-4, can't remember the rear diff oil but it's a Castrol 75w-90 GL5.
ATF is also castrol, SP-III or SP-IV depending on application.
Grease is Castrol LMX.
Filters are OEM Mitsubishi or Hyundai.
we have a few Castrol Magnatec Professional B4 bottles in stock for cars not suited for low Saps.
Gear oil is Castrol Syntrans multivehicle 75w-90 GL-4, can't remember the rear diff oil but it's a Castrol 75w-90 GL5.
ATF is also castrol, SP-III or SP-IV depending on application.
Grease is Castrol LMX.
Filters are OEM Mitsubishi or Hyundai.
Not exactly what you're asking, but I manage and purchase for our fleet shop ay work.
There are some nice oils with names you've never heard of available in 55 gallon drums for reasonable prices.
I pay attention to the add pack and claimed API spec.
If a formulator went to the trouble and expense of using a decent add pack, then I tend to think that the oil is probably pretty decent overall and probably does meet the claimed API spec.
Lack of a recognized name brand should in no way exclude an oil from consideration.
Name brands are more for the consumer market than the shop market.
Focus on specs, not name.
There are some nice oils with names you've never heard of available in 55 gallon drums for reasonable prices.
I pay attention to the add pack and claimed API spec.
If a formulator went to the trouble and expense of using a decent add pack, then I tend to think that the oil is probably pretty decent overall and probably does meet the claimed API spec.
Lack of a recognized name brand should in no way exclude an oil from consideration.
Name brands are more for the consumer market than the shop market.
Focus on specs, not name.
Who would make an oil that's slightly worse than API spec but still suitable enough that the customers won't catch on?
Like an "Accell SF formula"?
Then maintain an infrastructure of this cheezy oil separate from the rest?
The tire shop I used to work at got theirs delivered in what looks like a 3000 gallon heating oil bulk truck, via hose. That has a few compartments but, stil...
Like an "Accell SF formula"?
Then maintain an infrastructure of this cheezy oil separate from the rest?
The tire shop I used to work at got theirs delivered in what looks like a 3000 gallon heating oil bulk truck, via hose. That has a few compartments but, stil...
We use Super Pro 10w30 10w40 and 15w40 anything lighter in grade would bring many come backs , and most likely not make it off the dyno, at the Speed Shop here.
I do not own or work in an automotive shop but I know Mavis Tire in the northeast which has 160+ locations for the last 15 years has used bulk ENI oil which was previously known as Agip. The oil change reminder stickers said 'Agip' since I remember as a kid but recently they say 'ENI' so I believe the company changed names.
http://www.eni.com/en_NA/home.html
A local Shell service station in our town has always used Wolf's Head in quart bottles in all grades.
A local service station by my work uses Service Pro Semi-Syn in a 55gal drum.
I have a friend who works for Midas and he has told me their bulk oil is Valvoline but I believe Midas is independently owned so the owner can purchase whatever oil they want for bulk.
In my line of work I have been in dozens of industrial environments in the NYC/NJ metro area (mostly off the NJ Turnpike) - anywhere from sewage treatment plants, manufacturing plants producing airplane parts or paper plants, power plants, generation plants, etc. 55 gallon oil drums are usually all over for generator service, large gear boxes and other machinery. By far the most common oil drums I see in the industrial environment are Mobil/Mobil Delvac and Chevron. Maybe they have the best distribution or prices but they seem to rule the industrial market by far in my experience.
http://www.eni.com/en_NA/home.html
A local Shell service station in our town has always used Wolf's Head in quart bottles in all grades.
A local service station by my work uses Service Pro Semi-Syn in a 55gal drum.
I have a friend who works for Midas and he has told me their bulk oil is Valvoline but I believe Midas is independently owned so the owner can purchase whatever oil they want for bulk.
In my line of work I have been in dozens of industrial environments in the NYC/NJ metro area (mostly off the NJ Turnpike) - anywhere from sewage treatment plants, manufacturing plants producing airplane parts or paper plants, power plants, generation plants, etc. 55 gallon oil drums are usually all over for generator service, large gear boxes and other machinery. By far the most common oil drums I see in the industrial environment are Mobil/Mobil Delvac and Chevron. Maybe they have the best distribution or prices but they seem to rule the industrial market by far in my experience.
Last edited:
Thanks guys for the replies. Very interesting and I am learning way more than I thought ever since reading on here ;-)
The indies & Tires Plus guy are both using Kendall in bulk, seems like they're getting a decent deal on it. I was going to call their local distributor for some 10W30 HDEO until the T5 rebate came along.
I distinctly remember working on diesel containership cranes and they serviced the 500kW and 750kW diesel CAT engines (Each crane had two engines). Each diesel engine in the cranes had drums of Mobil Delvac 1300 with a pump and a stack of fleetguard filters. They had over 20 of these engines, many running 24/7 and their typical "overhaul" period was after every 20,000 hours! Some of the engines were rebuilt 3-4 times already. Usually the engine issues at the end of life were worn bearings according to the mechanics. Let me tell you those engines were run HARD lifting metal containers off cargo ships.
Anyway sorry for getting off track. It's just amazing to think those engines ran for ~2.2 years 24/7. Imagine how much diesel fuel went through them.
Anyway sorry for getting off track. It's just amazing to think those engines ran for ~2.2 years 24/7. Imagine how much diesel fuel went through them.
At my current workplace we use Mobil Super S 10-40 and Delvac MX 15-40. Previous place used Fuchs 15-40 in car and diesel. Other shops and my own back then used an HDEO of 15-40.
Not bulk, but -
SuperTech 5W30 or Mobil Super 5W30 - we suggest 3750 mi / 3 mo intervals
SuperTech Synthetic 5W30 - we suggest 5,000 mi / 6 mo intervals
Amsoil Signature Series 5W30 + Amsoil filter - we suggest 7,500 - 10k miles / 1 year.
For the non-Amsoil changes, we use a Mann filter.
SuperTech 5W30 or Mobil Super 5W30 - we suggest 3750 mi / 3 mo intervals
SuperTech Synthetic 5W30 - we suggest 5,000 mi / 6 mo intervals
Amsoil Signature Series 5W30 + Amsoil filter - we suggest 7,500 - 10k miles / 1 year.
For the non-Amsoil changes, we use a Mann filter.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
- Locked