What oil should i use?

[madhatter1788]

I have a 2003 Grand Am 3400 series with about 59,000 miles on it. I have owned since about 50K. I have only used mobil 1 5w30 in it, and changed it every 3k miles or 3 months which ever comes first(usually the 3k). I have read some nasty things about mobil 1 and was wondering what everyone recomended?

 

[beast3300]

With the interval you are going with the Mobil 1 is wasted. Using a regular motor oil will do the same thing for you. Many do at least 5k with syn motor oil on here. Some are 1 year/10k miles intervals.

 

[madhatter1788]

ive never heard of a definite mileage change interval for syntheic motor oils. What is the recomended change interval for synthetics? i have been told/read that it is 3k but also been told/read 5k or longer.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: madhatter1788
I have a 2003 Grand Am with about 59,000 miles on it. I have owned since about 50K. I have only used mobil 1 5w30 in it, and changed it every 3k miles or 3 months which ever comes first(usually the 3k). I have read some nasty things about mobil 1 and was wondering what everyone recomended?


Start with, run M1 5-30 for 10,000 miles.
I have a friend that uses M1 5-30 in his Taurus with 310,000 miles, no problem. 8-10,000 mile OCIs.
I have used M1 oils for 3 decades at 10,000 mile OCIs, again no problems.
What you heard is internet tripe.

 

[heypete]

Originally Posted By: madhatter1788
I have a 2003 Grand Am 3400 series with about 59,000 miles on it. I have owned since about 50K. I have only used mobil 1 5w30 in it, and changed it every 3k miles or 3 months which ever comes first(usually the 3k). I have read some nasty things about mobil 1 and was wondering what everyone recomended?


What nasty things did you hear about Mobil 1? Everything I've read shows it to be an outstanding, commonly-available synthetic oil. I've never heard anything negative that's been confirmed, rather than just being rummer and innuendo. Use it with confidence.

I agree with beast3300: a 3,000mi/3month OCI with Mobil 1 is a horrible waste. You could easily do 7,500 miles on Mobil 1, and probably in excess of 10,000 miles (though I'd definitely get an OCI before going that far). You could go to 15,000 miles with Mobil 1 Extended Performance.

That said, a conventional oil like Pennzoil, Quaker State, or any other quality, brand-name conventional or synthetic-blend oil will likely be more affordable with oil changes in the 3,000-5,000 mile range.

 

[chet2]

mobil one is great but your oci isnt...go at least 7k

 

[Nick R]

Nothing new here, 3000 on Mobil 1 is a waste. If your going to run 3K miles use Pennzoil Yellow Bottle, or Valvoline White bottle. If you want to run Mobil 1 (which is a great oil, btw) go for at least 5k.

 

[tomcat27]

ditto

 

[ThirdeYe]

That engine's pretty similar to the 3100 I maintain... I had a UOA done on Castrol GTX and it came back flawless, so I'd highly recommend that. I did use Valvoline for the first 50k or so and the valvetrain was absolutely spotless before I started using other brands, FWIW. I did have a UOA done with Havoline Synthetic as well, which didn't turn out quite as nice. But it wasn't bad, either.

 

[sangyup81]

If you don't mind the money you are spending, what you are doing is fine.

I would go at least 7.5k miles on M1 5w30. 10k miles most likely though

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: madhatter1788
I have a 2003 Grand Am 3400 series with about 59,000 miles on it. I have owned since about 50K. I have only used mobil 1 5w30 in it, and changed it every 3k miles or 3 months which ever comes first(usually the 3k). I have read some nasty things about mobil 1 and was wondering what everyone recomended?


Ok,fill us in...what have you heard??

 

[madhatter1788]

I have heard that the oil tends to blow by the rings and that it tends to shear or break down after minimal use. Anyone else heard this?

 

[lexus114]

I never heard of that happening.I like Mobil-1 products,But I also like SOPUS products. (Which I`m using now)

 

[lipadj46]

Originally Posted By: madhatter1788
I have heard that the oil tends to blow by the rings and that it tends to shear or break down after minimal use. Anyone else heard this?


Go peruse the UOA section, there are plenty of M1 5w30 UOAs posted there. You are getting misinformation from somewhere.

 

[ryan2022]

Originally Posted By: madhatter1788
I have heard that the oil tends to blow by the rings and that it tends to shear or break down after minimal use. Anyone else heard this?


Mobil 1 shears slightly, but you'll rarely see it out of grade. Mobil 1 is formulated on the thin side, in the 5w/10w30 grades, but stands up to abuse well, and does well in extended drains.

Its great stuff to keep using, but at an extended drain. I would run it to 8K easily, or closer to 10K with a UOA.

 

[dnewton3]

Madhatter -

Welcome. I think you're likely to find that M1 is well respected around here (as are many other quality brands of lube). However, I do have some advice, and I don't mean for it to be rude, but please take this as the advice you sought.

There is nothing wrong with the oil you are using; there is something wrong with the way you are using it.

Most all synthetic lubes, regardless of base stock origin or brand, can EASILY go 7.5k miles in nearly any of today's engines. You are not getting the value out of your lube. You should seriously consider extending your OCI, and then you will get some ROI from the M1. The greatest advantage you can gain from synthetics is longer OCIs. S

pend some time reviewing the UOA section; no, change that to spend a LOT of time reviewing the UOA section.

Don't get caught up in the hype and rhetoric; review the data and let the opinions fall out where they may. Then make your own decision.