Oil Change Question...

Paul58 · December 13, 2008

I'm getting ready to do an oil change and I have 6 quarts of 5W-30 Full Synthetic Oil, but they are three different brands... 2 Quarts each, Valvoline, Penzoil, and Mobile 1. Is it safe to use three different brands of synthetic oil in an engine at the same time? They are all the same weight and all meet or exceed OEM requirements.

Thanks for the help...

Zembonez · December 13, 2008

I'm getting ready to do an oil change and I have 6 quarts of 5W-30 Full Synthetic Oil, but they are three different brands... 2 Quarts each, Valvoline, Penzoil, and Mobile 1. Is it safe to use three different brands of synthetic oil in an engine at the same time? They are all the same weight and all meet or exceed OEM requirements.

Thanks for the help...

I would not chance it. It is remotely possible that some of the additives might not mix well and diminish the ability of the product to lubricate. Even though they SAY all of them are compatible, I wouldn't do it in my new truck.

Just my opinion.

VMax2007 · December 13, 2008

I'm getting ready to do an oil change and I have 6 quarts of 5W-30 Full Synthetic Oil, but they are three different brands... 2 Quarts each, Valvoline, Penzoil, and Mobile 1. Is it safe to use three different brands of synthetic oil in an engine at the same time? They are all the same weight and all meet or exceed OEM requirements.

Thanks for the help...

I would not chance it. It is remotely possible that some of the additives might not mix well and diminish the ability of the product to lubricate. Even though they SAY all of them are compatible, I wouldn't do it in my new truck.

Just my opinion.

+1

With conventional oil I would think it's ok, but I wouldn't chance it with synthetic. But this is just my opinion and I am no expert on the subject.

Zembonez · December 13, 2008

I'm getting ready to do an oil change and I have 6 quarts of 5W-30 Full Synthetic Oil, but they are three different brands... 2 Quarts each, Valvoline, Penzoil, and Mobile 1. Is it safe to use three different brands of synthetic oil in an engine at the same time? They are all the same weight and all meet or exceed OEM requirements.

Thanks for the help...

I would not chance it. It is remotely possible that some of the additives might not mix well and diminish the ability of the product to lubricate. Even though they SAY all of them are compatible, I wouldn't do it in my new truck.

Just my opinion.

+1

With conventional oil I would think it's ok, but I wouldn't chance it with synthetic. But this is just my opinion and I am no expert on the subject.

Yeah same here... mine is simply an opinion.

Paul58 · December 13, 2008

Thanks! Would it change your opinion if I did it in my Honda and used the 6 quarts of Pennzoil full synthetic in my truck?

Zembonez · December 13, 2008

Thanks! Would it change your opinion if I did it in my Honda and used the 6 quarts of Pennzoil full synthetic in my truck?

I don't think I'd mix more than two brands in anything. That would likely be safe.

I'm switching to Valvoline Synpower in mine.Read up on it and it looks pretty darn good... plus a lot of places run really good specials on it.

VMax2007 · December 13, 2008

Thanks! Would it change your opinion if I did it in my Honda and used the 6 quarts of Pennzoil full synthetic in my truck?

Pretty sure I would stick with what Honda recommends......But you probably are OK switching to Minute Rice in place of Uncle Ben's.

Paul58 · December 13, 2008

Well, the Valvoline SynPower states right on the bottle that it's fully compatible with other conventional and full synthetic oils, so I guess if I use two quarts of the Valvoline with two quarts of the other (the honda only takes 4 quarts) I'll probably be fine! The Pennzoil says it contains a special formula to break down the oil molecules into micro-molecules for better lubrication, so I'll probably go with the Mobile 1 as the other two quarts just in case the otherwise compatible Valvoline doesn't want it's molecules broken! Might just throw in a cup of Minute Rice for good measure as well! LOL!

I could just go get two more quarts of one of the three brands, but I really don't feel like going anywhere! It's one of those days were I just want to change oil in both vehicles and drink beer!

Thanks again for the help...

VMax2007 · December 13, 2008

Yep, I am heading out to change the oil in my truck in a few minutes.

Valvoline 5W30 conventional FTW!!!

Z45 · December 13, 2008

While those oils may indeed all meet the spec's it would not be a good idea to mix different brands in this way. Different brands will have different chemical makeup and base stocks, mixing them may weaken the effectiveness of them all.

Paul58 · December 13, 2008

Well, the oil change is done on the truck, 6 quarts of molecule busting Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic! I always amazes my how I can dump 6 full quarts into the engine, but when I dump the used oil back into the original bottles there is always one empty quart! I know some stays in the engine, but after four oil changes of putting 6 quarts in and then only getting 5 guarts out, there's four quarts someplace that I can't seem to ever find! One of those mysteries of life I guess!

Also, looks like I'm off the the parts store afterall, the damn Honda drinks 5W20, not 5W30, so I might as well pick up 4 quarts and not upset it's tummy!

dlstewart01 · December 13, 2008

I believe that all oils are required to be compatable, that is mix with each other. They do it all the time on bobistheoilguy.com with out any adverse effects..

Don

Paul58 · December 13, 2008

I believe that all oils are required to be compatable, that is mix with each other. They do it all the time on bobistheoilguy.com with out any adverse effects..

Don

This makes sense... If you found yourself on a trip and all of a sudden you notice you're 1 quart and a half low on oil, you sure wouldn't want to worry about getting the exact brand, weight and type oil you have in the crankcase!

My problem is, I buy oil by the 6 pack when it's on sale, and normally whatever brand happens to be on sale. Being as I use full synthetic in all my vehicles, this normally isn't a problem with the truck being as it takes 6 quarts. But the Honda (07 Fit) only has a 1.5L engine that barely takes 4 quarts (3.8 if I remember correctly), so I always have 2 quarts left over! After a couple oil changes I have 4 quarts laying around, but rarely are they ever the same brand! Not sure if there is an actual shelf life to synthetic oil, but eventually I need to use these and clear my shelves!

VMax2007 · December 13, 2008

Well, the oil change is done on the truck, 6 quarts of molecule busting Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic! I always amazes my how I can dump 6 full quarts into the engine, but when I dump the used oil back into the original bottles there is always one empty quart! I know some stays in the engine, but after four oil changes of putting 6 quarts in and then only getting 5 guarts out, there's four quarts someplace that I can't seem to ever find! One of those mysteries of life I guess!
Also, looks like I'm off the the parts store afterall, the damn Honda drinks 5W20, not 5W30, so I might as well pick up 4 quarts and not upset it's tummy!

Probably because you re-fill the old bottles past the "full" mark.