Latest news or opinions on GC 0W-30

[Bob The Builder]

Hey....

Is anyone using ye ol GC in 0W-30 in a Toyota engine? I'd do a search and help myself, but that dern search tool don't work so well lately.

Anyways, I'm just curious what the latest think on that stuff is. I've been using Mobil 1EP and was thinking about a change. The vehicle is a 96 Toyota Tacoma with a 2.4 and about 295k on it.

 

[ChiTDI]

I've been using it on a V6 Avalon for the past 40k. So far so good.I'm only approaching 100k though.
If you're having 300k mile success with a fluid, why change?

 

[buster]

At that mileage who cares?

GC is kind of dated IMO. Nothing special about it IMO. Knowing Castrol's poor performance in deposit testing and it's failure to meet GM and certain Honda specs, I'd say it's an over priced oil. For your Toyo, it would be fine.

 

[wavinwayne]

I wouldn't waste money on GC in that engine. I'd use either plain-jane conventional or an multi-use HDEO.

 

[Mr Nice]

The least expensive oil you can find.

 

[Bob The Builder]

Wow.

Pretty disappointed in the comments so far.

I have been using Castrol Syntec since the day it was available, and went to Mobil 1 EP around 2 years ago.

295k and not one darn leak and 100% compression in all cylinders. Oy. What am I doing wrong? Please don't knock a truck with high mileage. While you kids with 125k are planning your next oil change interval, I'm planning on my truck's 400k anniversary.

Not trying to stir up the pot, but I was expecting more positive and constructive responses.

 

[mikered30]

At nearly 300K, it does not owe you anything, put it something cheap.

 

[buster]

Bob you are not doing anything wrong. In certain vehicles, and shorter drain intervals, it doesn't matter what oil brand you run. They are all similar. Very little difference because they are using similar additive packages from just one of a handful of suppliers. GC is a good oil.

 

[oilmaven]

I finally used up my stash of GC green in my PT Cruiser...used it from 30,000 to 72,000 miles. The car runs great but has a small oil leak. I switched it to Mobil 1 High Mileage last change. I agree GC is a fine oil and it served me well but thought it was time for a change.

 

[simple_gifts]

Quote:

I'd say it's an over priced oil. For your Toyo, it would be fine.


This from a guy with $9/qt oil in a Honda.

If you are stretching out the OCI to make GC worth using, I'd say keep using it; if you are dumping @ 4-5K, just switch to Pennzoil TYB. or =

 

[kazual]

I CURRENTLY AM RUNNING IT IN MY 2005 TOYOTA RAV 4 WITH THE 2.4 ENGINE. IT IS A MIX OF 3 QTS GC AND ONE QT CONVENTIONAL. THE REASON I MIX IS BECAUSE IT IS AN EXPENSIVE OIL TO DUMP AT 4,000 MILES. WHEN MY WARRANTY IS UP I WILL SWITCH TO MOBIL1 EP WITH THE MOBIL1 FILTER AND GO ABOUT 10,000 MILES. MY DAD HAS BEEN RUNNING IT IN HIS BENZ AND 1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII WITH NO ISSUES. NO NOTICEABLE BURNING OF OIL EITHER. BUT AS FAR AS THE GC GOES, IT WORKS OK IN MY RAV 4.

IF I WERE YOU, I WOULD JUST USE SOME CONVENTIONAL OIL AND DO THE OIL CHANGES A BIT MORE FREQUENTLY. MAYBE EVEN JUST CHANGE THE FILTER AND TOP OFF. WITH THAT MANY MILES, YOU GOT YOUR MONEYS WORTH OUT OF IT.

 

[Drivebelt]

Bob, what length oil changes do you do with synthetic?

 

[Bob The Builder]

Hey Drive,

Typically I do oil changes when the oil gets to be the color of a burnt piece of toast...no but seriously, I usually change it out around 8 to 12k on average. (sometimes longer)

It really does depend on the color of the oil for me. If it gets dark quicker I change it sooner. If it stays clean, I leave it in. I'm not one who gets UOA's often, so I go by the touchy feely method. To me if the oil is getting dirty, that means if I don't change it soon, where will the rest of the by-products of combustion go? Most likely as deposits on the inside of the engine or worse yet, wear and tear on bearing surfaces.

But then again, I also run Militec 1 in my vehicles. I use about 2 oz's per quart.

Maybe that's the secret to long engine life.

Who's to say?

 

[Bambam]

GC was the flavor of the year here and was touted as the best thing since sliced bread. Now it's a cast away inferior slop,hmmmmm,reminds me of the heavier is better scare of 03 that whipped through the board.

 

[Jaymus]

I use GC in my 4-stroke weed-eater and my 17.5hp lawnmower (B&S engine).

So far they haven't flew apart.

 

[Steelhead]

Bob,
why change a good thing
300k on GC with 10k OCIs works

that Yoda will be running long after the $2000 battery pack in one of these new hi tech hybrids is long dead

i like your oil analysis technique, when it won't drip off the dip stick, change it.

most of the oil gurus on here throw away perfectly good used oil before it's time, just dumping more of those worthless US dollars into the deep pockets of the poor Arab oil shieks.
Motor oil is like good red wine, gets better with age.

i ran a small block Chev. PU 250k miles on cheap Warren 10w40 oil and 10k miles OCIs. didn't burn a drop, just leaked a little out the seals.

 

[LexusAussie]

If you are on a good thing, stick to it I say.

 

[Bob The Builder]

Originally Posted By: Bambam
GC was the flavor of the year here and was touted as the best thing since sliced bread. Now it's a cast away inferior slop,hmmmmm,reminds me of the heavier is better scare of 03 that whipped through the board.




Hey all who commented, awesome. I appreciate it.

Like bambam mentioned, heavy was good at one point, and then we had the green gremlins...or something like that. What seems to be the better choice in a synthetic now in the 10W-30 range? I have heard this and that regarding Mobil 1 EP and now that oil isn't anyone's fav anymore.

What's the hot ticket as far as UOA's?

 

[Tempest]

Quote:
What's the hot ticket as far as UOA's?

Pennzoil Platinum.

 

[addyguy]

10W-30 M1 is still respected as a 'good grade' of M1...the 5w-30 takes a lot of bashing...