Is there really a terrible oil?

[Steve_Stang2003]

Let's say you were in the parts store and threw a dart at the "great wall of oil", assuming the proper type (ie:5W-20 etc) and assuming you use a OIC of 5k miles at most along with a decent filter, is it truly possible to pick a bad product?
I'm just wondering because I see all kinds of *stuff* here but when you look at the big picture it seems to boil down to "a little of this in lieu of a little of that" IOW each brand brings it's advantages as well as it's disadvantages to the table.

So another way to phrase this is there one oil that stands out above the rest, let's say for 5W-20 in this case.

I'm just asking, I don't pretend to know and I like the rest of you have my bias as well.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Nope.

As long as your manual is not stating something that the average oil can not meet (Like hondas spec for turbos) any 5w-20 SM oil is going to be fine for 5k OCIs.

Take care, bill

 

[buster]

I don't think there is a bad oil out there. Some oils are better at "specific" things.

 

[Drivebelt]

The Group II/II+ oils we have here in North America are of very consistent quality -- and they should be, they're manufactured base oils. We don't have to rely on the properties of the oils just as they come out of the ground and hope the motor oil is made from some good quality paraffinic base oil.

 

[XPR]

Unless it hit a bottle of synthetic then yes.

 

[Steve_Stang2003]

Quote:

---

Unless it hit a bottle of synthetic then yes.

---

Well that brings up yet another good point.
Is there really much of a difference between synthetics when compared with synthetics of the same type, say 5W-20?

 

[XPR]

I think there is a difference, especially the base stock group.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Unless it hit a bottle of synthetic then yes.

---

Well that brings up yet another good point.
Is there really much of a difference between synthetics when compared with synthetics of the same type, say 5W-20?

---

Read answer above.

For 5k OCIs. No. If your engine does not NEED syn, NO difference unless you like to pay more.

Bill

 

[Steve_Stang2003]

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Unless it hit a bottle of synthetic then yes.

---

Well that brings up yet another good point.
Is there really much of a difference between synthetics when compared with synthetics of the same type, say 5W-20?

---

Read answer above.

For 5k OCIs. No. If your engine does not NEED syn, NO difference unless you like to pay more.

Bill

---

Ok let's take this one more step. What would require a motor to need synthetic?
Assuming 5k OCI and not some of the crazy stuff the OEMs are pushing these days.
Why would it make a difference other than an oil analysis should your engine sieze and you make a warranty claim.

 

[Cutehumor]

synthetic would be required in turbo, supercharged, and long oil change intervals. if your engine throws a rod, sum it up to engine flaw or your engine is a lemon.

 

[lancerplayer]

So if I go to Wally World and pick up some $1.XX SuperTech vs. some high dollar oil and change both at 5K there will be no significant difference in the wear, temperature, shearing, sludge, or varnish between the two oils?

 

[PF52]

Quote:

---

synthetic would be required in turbo, supercharged, and long oil change intervals...

---

Doesn't the supercharger housing have its own oil supply inside? I've always wondered why there was a need for synthetics in a supercharged motor.

 

[Cutehumor]

since you mentioned supertech which is mostly made by exxonmobil and warren. what's a high dollar oil to you? pennzoil/castrol/valvoline? if you have supertech made by exxonmobil. would you take mobil clean 5k oil to 5k miles? or better yet supertech oil to 5k which is the same stuff?

 

[lancerplayer]

Quote:

---

since you mentioned supertech which is mostly made by exxonmobil and warren. what's a high dollar oil to you? pennzoil/castrol/valvoline? if you have supertech made by exxonmobil. would you take mobil clean 5k oil to 5k miles? or better yet supertech oil to 5k which is the same stuff?

---

Perhaps I used a bad example. I am new when it comes to oil. I didn't know SuperTech and Mobil 1 was made by the same company. Maybe this example will be better. Will using $1.xx oil vs. $3.xx oil provide enough protection to keep the engine running past 200K (also using a quality oil filter)?

 

[mitchcoyote]

I would not bet on it being the same stuff.
I do 5k oci's using synthetic because there is a difference between synthetic and conventional. Especially when your dealing with Mobil 1 which has PAO in it. Synthetic simply outperforms conventional oils in every aspect.... I don't believe I am wasting my money. The extra quality is worth the extra money.....

 

[glenncof]

Steve,

What is it you really want to know ?

SAE standards kinda insures the oil is suitable for intended purpose.

Are some better than others ? Sure but it depends on what you mean by better, especially regarding your application.

 

[Big Jim]

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

synthetic would be required in turbo, supercharged, and long oil change intervals...

---

Doesn't the supercharger housing have its own oil supply inside? I've always wondered why there was a need for synthetics in a supercharged motor.

---

It's the additional load the added cylinder pressure puts on things, especially bearings.

I might add another good reason to use synthetic is if you have harsh winters, such as northern Canada and Alaska. Cold flow characteristics are superior for synthetics. Perhaps I should say they have some flow and other oils don't.

 

[Cutehumor]

An analogy that I can think of. I can sell you a hanes t shirt for $5 or sell you a t shirt with the word "gucci" stamped on it for $50. for $50, it's higher quality eh? but they are made in the same sweat shop.

 

[Big Jim]

I forgot to mention it's a good idea to use synthetic if you have a known sludge monster engine.

 

[Mystic]

I think it is hard to find a terrible oil today unless you really go out of your way to find it. You can still find SA and SB rated oils that do not meet modern requirments and if used would probably eventually trash your engine.

And I have heard of occasional bad batches of motor oil. I heard about this happening a while back involving some brand of motor oil.

Otherwise just about any brand of motor oil that meets viscosity and quality requirements will do the job in your car or truck. It does not matter if it is Valvoline, Pennzoil, Chevron, or whatever. If you are driving a modern Corvette and a few other types of vehicles you have to use synthetic.

I refuse to believe that there is any brand of motor oil that causes sludge. You can still hear this kind of stuff (often involving Pennzoil) from people who should know better.

There is no doubt that there can be quality differences between different brands. This website is useful in trying to find the best motor oils at the best price. And quality can vary through time. One brand may be better now and not so good years later in the future.