Can I safely mix oils?

[pompadour]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Tell, how is this major automotive company goinng to acomplish that, when part of API and ISLAC specification is backward spec compatibility and ability to mix different API certified oils?


every single bottle in my oil stash says that it is compatible with other oils.

i only buy GM4718M spec'ed oils. i only buy on sale and rebate. some rebates want you to send in bottle rings. because of this, i rarely use the same oil even two times in a row... therefore, i am mixing oils almost every oil change as only a given percentage of oil comes out during an oil change...

my point being. i have little fear of add pack interaction. i have bigger issues to worry about.

if this were a real issue, i would be prone to consistently run the same oil every oil change.

 

[Faststang]

Well... wait a few years and you will all see. Just so you are all aware this company is Nissan.... Personally it amazes me that when people get first hand information how resistant the public is to the truth and why I am so reluctant to listen to public opinion on "forums".

His EXACT words were "It doesn't matter which oil you use between service intervals the most important thing is to use the same oil. Different additive packages between manufacturers don't work so well with certain other brands when mixed."

 

[Steve S]

Only if you pour it into the engine with your left hand. Below the equator use your right hand.

look at the uoas posted most all the oil companies use similar ingredients.

 

[Faststang]

Imagine in a world that you heard this information from a Nissan Engineer..... wanted to share this information and that I responded with what you said.

smart....

 

[KrisZ]

Unless Nissan provides their own oil for free, to minimize oil mixing if it affects engine and warranty, then I would believe such a statement. But if customers still have to buy their own oil, there is no way Nissan can enforce such a claim, so perhaps you need to interigate your friend a bit more.

So I ask again, how will Nissan enforce their no mixing rule because as far as I know, API certification is here to stay, and manufacturers are required by law to produce engines that will operate on any latest API certified oil, be it SN or SM or whatever future standards arise, otherwise they have to provide speciality motor oils for free.

 

[UncleS2]

Vince, mix 'em any way you like, use 'em for whatever your normal OCI is- and don't worry.

 

[y2k345]

Originally Posted By: Jim 5
Originally Posted By: Lethal1ty17
Originally Posted By: HK_Ace
It should be fine- none of the chemicals react with each other. A German Castrol and Pennzoil Ultra brew may be the best oil yet.

i've wanted to try in a 5qt sump
-1qt ultra
-1qt edge
-1qt m1 ep
-1qt amsoil
-1qt redline

just think of the possibilities


You'll lower the wear by 50% if you put 2 oz. of GC in that mix.


GC?

 

[y2k345]

Originally Posted By: Jim 5
Originally Posted By: Lethal1ty17
Originally Posted By: HK_Ace
It should be fine- none of the chemicals react with each other. A German Castrol and Pennzoil Ultra brew may be the best oil yet.

i've wanted to try in a 5qt sump
-1qt ultra
-1qt edge
-1qt m1 ep
-1qt amsoil
-1qt redline

just think of the possibilities


You'll lower the wear by 50% if you put 2 oz. of GC in that mix.


GC?

 

[M1Accord]

Mixing oil is bad for your engine, give it to a gear head nearby and you'll pour it into his beater car or p/u.

 

[fdcg27]

I agree with those who consider mixing sub-optimal.
I generally avoid it, and when I do mix, it is normally with oil of the same brand and type (ie GTX 20W-50+5W-20, or M1 EP + M1 EP of different grades).
However, if I found myself with a collection of orphan quarts, far in excess of any OPE requirements I might have, you can bet that they'd end up in one of my engines for 4-5K.
Not optimal, but not harmful either.
WRT good, bad or fatal, I think I'd be more inclined to take the word of the folks at API on compatibility over those of some Nissan guy who may know no more about oils and compatibility than does the guy running the local quick-lube.
Not saying that the Nissan guy is ignorant, but rather that he is probably not an oil specialist.

 

[ItsuMitsubishi]

Originally Posted By: pompadour
my point being. i have little fear of add pack interaction. i have bigger issues to worry about.


try searching for "additive clash". not long ago guys on this site were buzzing like a bunch of gossipy women about clashing additives, like they were just disgusted that Ethel had the nerve to wear a perfume that clashed with Gertrude's... just pure comedy, to me.

 

[Dantheman]

Does Nissan specifically forbid this in their owners manual ?

 

[Spyder7]

Originally Posted By: ItsuMitsubishi
Originally Posted By: pompadour
my point being. i have little fear of add pack interaction. i have bigger issues to worry about.


try searching for "additive clash". not long ago guys on this site were buzzing like a bunch of gossipy women about clashing additives, like they were just disgusted that Ethel had the nerve to wear a perfume that clashed with Gertrude's... just pure comedy, to me.


There is no consistency to it either. I have watched threads where an OP suggesting mixing oils (even as top up) was met with a tirade on how he was destroying his add pack, foolish, and so it went. And others where the response was the complete opposite: mix away with confidence.

The only conclusion I came to was that the opinion of the first poster or two to respond was what largely set the tone for everything else that followed as, with a rare exception, everyone lined up in goose step behind the first post or two to echo it.

I have also watched some members go back and forth from one position to the the other, depending, again, on the prevailing 'wisdom' in the thread.

And having observed this in so many threads now, I put no weight to either argument and have formed my own opinion (which nothing from these types of threads added anything useful to, given their nature to shift like the wind).

-Spyder

 

[ItsuMitsubishi]

Originally Posted By: Spyder7
Originally Posted By: ItsuMitsubishi
Originally Posted By: pompadour
my point being. i have little fear of add pack interaction. i have bigger issues to worry about.


try searching for "additive clash". not long ago guys on this site were buzzing like a bunch of gossipy women about clashing additives, like they were just disgusted that Ethel had the nerve to wear a perfume that clashed with Gertrude's... just pure comedy, to me.


There is no consistency to it either. I have watched threads where an OP suggesting mixing oils (even as top up) was met with a tirade on how he was destroying his add pack, foolish, and so it went. And others where the response was the complete opposite: mix away with confidence.

The only conclusion I came to was that the opinion of the first poster or two to respond was what largely set the tone for everything else that followed as, with a rare exception, everyone lined up in goose step behind the first post or two to echo it.

I have also watched some members go back and forth from one position to the the other, depending, again, on the prevailing 'wisdom' in the thread.

And having observed this in so many threads now, I put no weight to either argument and have formed my own opinion (which nothing from these types of threads added anything useful to, given their nature to shift like the wind).

-Spyder


Good observation spyder. That phenomenon seems all too prevalent on internet forums, and I definitely concur with the "form your own opinions" method. In this case, from what I've seen is that oil companies tend to mix different add packs from different suppliers themselves which Johnny posted not long ago. Even beyond the "fully compatible with conventional and synthetic motor oils" tidbits seen on so many OTC oils, Johnny's insight also suggests a pretty reasonable level of standardization among the main chemical companies.