I have a 97 Stratus V6 with 78,000 miles. The manual suggests either 5w30 or 10w30, depending on temps. It has seen various oils and weights since 63,000 (maxlife, super tech, trop artic), but this last change I gave it Mobil 1 5w30. I REALLY like Mobil 1, but the engine is making much more noise at startup (lifter ticking or something) than ever. Reading other used oil analysis show this engine may prefer a 10w30, but either seem to do well. There was an exceptional UOA from a 99 Stratus V6 with Castrol GTX 10w30. Temps here are getting cold (25'-55'F) and only to worsen, so I feel using a 5w30 may be in good interests. There are several SM/GF-4 conventional oils available, but all the Mobil 1 I see is still SL/GF-3. I have 5qts of Castrol GTX SM/GF-4 5w30. Would it be best to use the GTX, or get more Mobil 1 SL/GF-3 and hope the noises are nothing? Shall I wait for Mobil 1 SM/GF-4? Interestingly, the engine is a Mitsubishi built 2.5L V6, so does it naturally do better with a Castrol product or 10W rather than 5W? Is the SM/GF-4 GTX a synthetic blend, maybe Group III? Thanks for the advice. I bet this UOA will be interesting!
Which SM/GF-4 or Mobil 1?
- Thread starter DSteven
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Why not try the TropArtic again. It has all Group III and is a GF-4.
The startup noise might be from the oil filter rather than the M1. My Mitsu filter is somewhat horizontal and the only lower cost filter that eliminates my noise is a Pure One.
I'd probably stick with the Mobil 1 with Winter coming on. GTX would be ok also, but I bet the noise isn't from the oil. My Mitsu ticks with Wix, Fram, STP.... not with Pure One.
I'd probably stick with the Mobil 1 with Winter coming on. GTX would be ok also, but I bet the noise isn't from the oil. My Mitsu ticks with Wix, Fram, STP.... not with Pure One.
Changing out the filter for a Pure One would be a good test for the noisey filter theory.
However, complaints of engine noise when switching from conventional to synthetic are fairly frequent & an Auto-Rx cycle may be the required fix to reduce the noise.
Just as M1 PAO's have a different effect on seals due to the lack of aromatics, any conventional/carbon based engine deposits may harden up when the conventional oil is removed.
However, complaints of engine noise when switching from conventional to synthetic are fairly frequent & an Auto-Rx cycle may be the required fix to reduce the noise.
Just as M1 PAO's have a different effect on seals due to the lack of aromatics, any conventional/carbon based engine deposits may harden up when the conventional oil is removed.
Who says TropArtic is all Group III? Did I miss something?
I'll try the filter switch. It currently has an Advance Auto (regular purolater I think) oil filter. I bet it doesn't have an anti-drainback valve. I used PureOne filters on the last Stratus, with great results! Any idea if the Castrol GTX SM/GF-4 is a group III blend?
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