Jump to content
News
Reviews
Discussons
Activity
Create New...
Close

Oil wars....

daves87rs

By daves87rs
in The Lounge

 Share

Recommended Posts

daves87rs Collaborator

daves87rs

Posted
Posted

I'm surprised I haven't seen this topic in a while.

And since I'm quite the post whore lately, I thought I 'd post it....

So, What kind of oil do you use? And why?

I guess I get to start.

My cars either run on Valvoline or Mobil 1.....

All cars after this oil change (including the Cobalt) will be running Mobil 1 .....

Since I've had great success with Mobil 1 (wife got it in her Ecotec at about 12k-at over 40k it still runs like new), and I like the fact that it offers better protection, since she does quite a bit of city driving.......

Link to comment
Share on other sites
scharmer05 Newbie

scharmer05

Posted
Posted

Mobil 1.

It goes on sale a few times a year so usually buy 5-6 cases when I notice it's on sale somewhere. Try to change it every 5-6000 in the Impala since it is mostly highway driving, and every 3-4000 on the Suburban since it is usually working hard.

My Impala has 117K on it and uses close to no oil. It has had Mobil 1 in it since it's first oil change back when my uncle owned it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
pow Newbie

pow

Posted
Posted (edited)

Apparently Mobil 1 now uses a Group III base oil, which is considered semi-synthetic, although it's certainly possible that all the properties remain the same.

Lots of BMW people insist on the German version of Castrol Syntec, which is full synthetic, available by mail or through some AutoZones.

I just get whatever is on sale. Recently, that meant Mobil 1 0W40 (5 qts + Mobil 1 filter = $29.99 at Pep Boys) for the VW, Valvoline Synpower 5W30 (5 qts + Fram filter = $17.99 at Autozone) for the BMW, and Castrol dino 5W20 (5 qts + Bosch filter = $10.99) for the Honda.

I figure as long as the intervals are short (5000 miles for the VW, 7500 for the BMW) and I use a decent filter, any synthetic should be fine.

Edited by empowah
Link to comment
Share on other sites
daves87rs Collaborator

daves87rs

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Mobil 1.

It goes on sale a few times a year so usually buy 5-6 cases when I notice it's on sale somewhere. Try to change it every 5-6000 in the Impala since it is mostly highway driving, and every 3-4000 on the Suburban since it is usually working hard.

My Impala has 117K on it and uses close to no oil. It has had Mobil 1 in it since it's first oil change back when my uncle owned it.

Power still there too?

The Eco in her Cav still runs like new, and a this rate, may outlast the body.... :blink::lol:

I wish I could find it on sale here...very rare though...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
daves87rs Collaborator

daves87rs

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Normally what ever is on sale. Its really all the same to me. Although, I use royal purplein the summer, i will order a couple cases of 5w-30.

RP is crazy priced...like 6-8 bucks a bottle...

Nah, still sticking with mobil 1. With the city driving though, I still end up changing around 3k anyways...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
capriceman Newbie

capriceman

Posted
Posted
RP is crazy priced...like 6-8 bucks a bottle...

Nah, still sticking with mobil 1. With the city driving though, I still end up changing around 3k anyways...

Last 2 summers when the shop orders the machine oil from them we all pitch in and get about 20 cases and its really cheap that way about 2.75 a quart when all said and done

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest YellowJacket894

Guest YellowJacket894

Posted
Posted

Just one-hundred more miles to go before the Sonoma gets a nice dose of some synthetic oil.

Anyone got a suggestion of a synthetic that's really nice but not too expensive?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
balthazar

balthazar

Posted
Posted

I just changed the DuraMax (Rotella T) at I believe 6K (don't have my service log handy) and it was jet black. Don't diesels blacken oil quicker than gas engines? I was shooting for 3K and missed it by --this-- much.

I always changed my daily gas-engined truck at 3-3.5K (Pennzoil) and it also was jet black. Not sure that's a perfect measure of when it's time to change one's oil- it's supposed to absorb 'dirt'- and exactly when does it turn black? Are you anti-black-oil types jacking your intervals back by 500 miles until it runs out halfway 'tween black & amber??

Everything i've encountered claimed that synthetics were good for 2/3rds more miles than conventional- and 3K is roughly half the usually-recommended interval as it is, so changing a synth @ 3K sounds like triple-overkill and a collosal waste of money.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
daves87rs Collaborator

daves87rs

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I just changed the DuraMax (Rotella T) at I believe 6K (don't have my service log handy) and it was jet black. Don't diesels blacken oil quicker than gas engines? I was shooting for 3K and missed it by --this-- much.

I always changed my daily gas-engined truck at 3-3.5K (Pennzoil) and it also was jet black. Not sure that's a perfect measure of when it's time to change one's oil- it's supposed to absorb 'dirt'- and exactly when does it turn black? Are you anti-black-oil types jacking your intervals back by 500 miles until it runs out halfway 'tween black & amber??

Everything i've encountered claimed that synthetics were good for 2/3rds more miles than conventional- and 3K is roughly half the usually-recommended interval as it is, so changing a synth @ 3K sounds like triple-overkill and a collosal waste of money.

I'm not sure about the miles...I usually watch the oil more than the miles...

In her car I've had to change it before 3k, though on the other hand I have been able to let it go over 3k also....

It really depends on the conditions that you drive in. Since she drives more city, it offers more protection in this crazy area......

I'm not worried to much about wasting a few bucks...because she she starts up and still purrs like new, it's worth it. :yes:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
daves87rs Collaborator

daves87rs

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Just one-hundred more miles to go before the Sonoma gets a nice dose of some synthetic oil.

Anyone got a suggestion of a synthetic that's really nice but not too expensive?

Most syns are more than fine for the car..

Private brands tend to be a good way to go..though it helps to know who makes it..

Carquest has some good prices on them( and made by valvoline)

I'd offer Wal Mart's too, but I'm not sure who they use for their oil.....

Another way to save a few bucks is to buy the 5 qt jug from wal mart...tends to be cheaper....

I usually pick up a jug of Mobil 1 for 20 bucks..not too bad...

I think You'll enjoy the new oil in your truck...when I had it in my s-10, it gave the 4.3 a bit more pep..... :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Satty Newbie

Satty

Posted
Posted

Actually, when I had my Toyota, I changed the oil every 3k with synthetic. I was using it for delivering, so it made sense. Now I barely drive 100 miles a week, 70% highway, so running a full synthetic 7500 miles doesn't begin to phase me. Ford recommends an oil change every 5k using a MotorCraft synthetic blend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
daves87rs Collaborator

daves87rs

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Actually, when I had my Toyota, I changed the oil every 3k with synthetic. I was using it for delivering, so it made sense. Now I barely drive 100 miles a week, 70% highway, so running a full synthetic 7500 miles doesn't begin to phase me. Ford recommends an oil change every 5k using a MotorCraft synthetic blend.

Makes me wonder why GM doesn't do a blend yet....

Link to comment
Share on other sites
76ChevyTrucker Newbie

76ChevyTrucker

Posted
Posted

I use CarQuest (ie Valvoline without the pretty white bottle) in all the gas-burning vehicles, change the oil at every 3,000. The diesels (both tractors) get Delo 15W40 and get changed every six months regardless of hours on the engines. Filters are all CarQuest (supplied by Wix), if I don't have access to CarQuest (and since I work there, I've got access to it) I'll use whatever is factory recommended filter, either MotorCraft, AC Delco or a Bosch filter for the non-GM or FoMoCo vehicles.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
daves87rs Collaborator

daves87rs

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Before I went soley to Valvoline I was using regular Mobil in all the vehicles, but since the only Mobil that CQ has is Mobil 1 and I've got no need for synthetic in anything, I just use Valvoline (just in the pretty, plain, black CQ bottle).

With the city driving done around here, I need Synthetic in mine...it has done her Cav well..still runs like new.... :yes:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

I've whitelisted
Continue without support

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search

Change privacy settings