motor oil

[regcab02HD]

It's about time to change my motor oil.  I was just wondering what kind you guys use.

[pepper32]

For many years I purchased what ever was on sale at oil change time. (Pennzoil, Castrol, Valvoline, Havoline) Many miles, no problems. Used Fram filters too, and with all the bad publicity they have been getting, my engines kept on running.

[CMNTMXR81]

I prefer Valvoline, but to each their own.  As long as it isn't a Wal-Mart brand, you're relatively safe.

[MountaineerTom]

Valvoline non-synthetic for me for several years, with no problems.  185,000 + miles on an '88 Beretta using it.  Dad's been using the same for as long as I can remember.  He's still got some in the old round, cardboard cans, I think.  

[caddelma]

I prefer Valvoline, but to each their own.  As long as it isn't a Wal-Mart brand, you're relatively safe.

Not sure if its still true or not, but a few years ago I worked with a girl who previously worked at Valvoline in Ashland, KY.  She told me the cheapo wal-mart oil goes down the same line as the valvoline :0   She said when wal-mart runs a promo on their oil they would completely switch all the lines over to run wal-mart labeled bottles.  I assume it is still true.  I tried the wal-mart label in my old f*rd ranger.  Still leary about using it in my Chevy though :ehh:

[MountaineerTom]

I have an uncle that works for Valvoline in Lexington.  

 

I do know that Valvoline did make the oil that was packaged by Car-Quest and the DEXRON III tranny fluid packaged by NAPA.  Not sure if they still do or not.

[CMNTMXR81]

It's Napa as Tom pointed out.  If you look at the back it says something about being part of Ashland chemical or something like that.

 

However, as a note, just because it comes down the same line as the name brand, doesn't mean it's the same.  For instance, a friend of mine trucks gasoline to and from the holding tanks around O-Hare.  Amoco, Phillips, Mobil, Shell, etc, etc all come from the same tanks as does the Clark's, Thornton's, and "U-save" gas places.  Only difference aside from what additive's go into each is where it gets taken from in the tank.  For instance, the big oil companies get the best stuff off the top.  Those budget gas station chains get the crud off the bottom.

 

Anotherwords, even though a Wal-Mart brand may come down the same line, doesn't mean it's the same quality.  It could be from "the bottom of the barrell" (no pun intended!)

[Yont283]

Valvoline is good for me!!

[kc2aku]

i must be the only texaco havoline guy around anymore

[regcab02HD]

What about Schaeffer motor oil?   I was hoping someone would mention it.  The guy that sells it swears buy it.  And we have a 87 Olds. with a little over 300,000 and still doesn't use any oil(original motor).  

I am thinking about running it.  What do you guys think?

[jd hauler]

I run pennzoil in all my stuff, even the dealer that I got it from said when they do oil changes, they all get it unless told otherwise. They do swear by the ac delco filter, pf-59 only, the pf-58  supposedly does'nt have the checkvalve in it.  P.s. I use 10w-30 .

[carguru]

Mobil-1.  The synths seem to do better under extreme conditions.  Used to do race engines with Mobil-1.  Was impressed how much less wear resulted.  I was sold from that point.

[Kansas Kid]

Valvoline 5w30 and AC Delco filters for me, and everyone in my family.  

[wack]

Gas is gas.It is true about additives but crud from the bottom? How do you think they pump the stuff from the tanks? Its from the bottom.If it were pumped from the top in about a minute the siphon hose would be suckin air. You pay for location and extra bright fuel dispensing facilitys.Credit card usage and nice magazine racks.

[jst4f]

Here are a couple of sites to look at about motor oil and filters.

Motor oil bible  This guy is clearly pro-synthetic oil but he does provide a basis for his position that you can judge for your self.

 

Motor oil filter study  This site hasn't been updated in a while but it does provide some insight into the world of filters.

 

As for me, once I get the oil consumption issue resolved, I will be switching to syn-oil and one of the advance dual filter systems.  I also will start using a better air filter.  Since trucks don't rust here in South-Ca, I expect my AV to last 300Kmiles and still be running great.  These changes should help me acheive that goal.