Which 10w30 for 2.5L Jeep ARX run: Castrol GTX, Pennzoil, Valvoline, or Havoline?

[Seth_TJ]

hi guys,

I hope you don't me posting this in this forum. I am looking for opinions on which oil would be better to run in my Jeep for my AutoRX run. I have the 2.5L engine and it calls for a 10w30. I have been and am currently using M1 10w30 SS with a M1-204 oil filter with borderline dissapointing results (save that for another thread).

I would have rather done my ARX in the summer or earlier in the fall so I don't catch any of winter because I don't drive that much but looks like my ARX'ing might run into late November if I start it now. Hopefully I don't have any trouble from cold starts with these oils and hopefully the autorx works as good in winter as summer!

Any how, I went to Wal-mart today and looked at oils to choose from they have:

Castrol GTX @ $1.95/qt
Havoline @ 1.50/qt
Valvoline- $1.49/qt
Pennzoil- $1.60/qt

So really no real price difference there, the Castrol GTX is slightly more. I don't want to run my M1 10w30ss for ARX because it is a waste of money (that I don't really have

) plus I am hoping the ARX will stop my very small leak so I want to use a Dino to improve its efficiency.
I will be using either a Baldwin B34 or a Wix 51085 for the ARX'ing instead of the pricey Mobil filter. I also have a B2 and a Wix 51515 but I don't know if they will fit because of some other stuff in the way. So all things being equal which one of those is the best for me? I saw that people in the AutoRX megathread had been using all those oils a lot and also Chevron Supreme but I didn't see that... So its one of those four.

Please let me know what you guys this is best.

Thanks,

-Seth

 

[Jelly]

Motorcraft FL-1A (Did you see it at Wal-Mart?)
Pennzoil 10w-30

 

[Seth_TJ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Jelly:
Motorcraft FL-1A (Did you see it at Wal-Mart?)
Pennzoil 10w-30

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Jelly,

I specifically looked for the FL-1A but I didn't see it. I actually saw NO motorcraft filters. They had 2 isles dedicated to Fram though. You need to keep in mind the mentality of people here. I live in southern Ohio and if it is cheap that is what people what. You wouldn't believe how many people pass a good oil for the WORST oil they can find just to save 10 cents per quart. They will walk right past Pennz, Valv, Havoline, Castrol dinos and go right for some brand I have NEVER heard of which is 49 cents a quart. People also drive cars into the ground here, it is unbelievable unless you saw it first hand.

Really I think any of those oils I listed would be fine, even be fine to run them as a normal 3-4 OCI oil during normal use too. For some reason the Valvoline seems generic and so does the havoline, the Pennzoil and GTX seem more "buyable" so their marketing must be working hahah

 

[Seth_TJ]

Oh and Jelly, one other thing. I'm not sure the FL-1A will fit or not. I've got some very stiff wiring in the way from the starter and coming from somewhere else (didn't really look) It almost touches a Mobil 1 M1-204 filter. I ordered a Baldwin B2 and a Wix 51515 and they are a good bit oversized so I'll see if that works. I didn't even bother trying to order the 7" wix, no way it will fit for me with those wires, plus that is getting close to the frame.

Also have two Baldwin B34's and Wix 51515's on the way here and I have one more Mobil 1 M1-204 left. I will probably use either the B34's or the Wix filters for the ARX and then then use that extra mobil after the rinsing is done. I may do one with a Baldwin one with a Wix just to see if I notice a difference in noise, pressure, etc

 

[uconn1150]

I'd use the Supertech, but that wasn't an option

so go for the Havoline

 

[MarkC]

Seth, my Jeep has a 4.0, but your is enough like it....

I ran Castrol GTX 10W30 for the first 80K or so, with (unfortunately) Fram filters.
Now I've ben using Chevron Supreme 10W30 for the last 20K and either Purolator or Napa Gold filters.
Havoline is pretty much the same thing as Chevron(I asked the Chevron engineers on the phone).

Don't do as I did recently and start obsessing. Any of those oils you listed will be fine, and I'd just avoid either extreme of the filters.( whole lotta flowvs. whole lotta filtration)
For me, the Napa Gold is fine.

I think you can pretty much count on not bothering this engine with your choice of oil, so be happy.

 

[Jelly]

quote:

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Originally posted by Seth_TJ:
I specifically looked for the FL-1A but I didn't see it. I actually saw NO motorcraft filters.

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That's fine, but weird as every Wal-Mart I've ever been in has carried the Motorcraft filters...I just think the Motorcraft is a very good filter that's available at a very good price.

As yourself and others have pointed out though, any of the oils you mentioned would be perfectly acceptable on a moderate drain interval.

With that said, I personally like the Pennzoil because they offer the outstanding duo of a great base oil and a great additive package.

 

[Virtuoso]

Any!

 

[Ugly3]

A 5 quart jug of SuperTech 10w30 (API certified and SAE rated) is $4.23 at my Wal*Mart. Combine that with a SuperTech filter for $2.07 and you have a $6.30 oil change (plus tax) that will run most any engine 3,000 to 5,000 miles without any problem.

Low cost, good performance, and always available (no need to stock up). Pretty good deal.

 

[Blue99]

All good choices & recommendations - I'd add Motorcraft 10W-30 to your list.

My pick would be either Havoline or Motorcraft, both very solid 10W-30's from a viscosity viewpoint.

Pennzoil 10W-30 tends to perform closer to the 5W-30's in viscosity.

But since this is just a rinse phase, take your pick & enjoy the drive!