Mixing Oils

[jackkpts]

I have a a few unopened bottles of QS 5w20 left. I was wondering if it would possibly cause problems with my daughters '92 Camry (4cyl 139K) if I used one or two of these along with a 10w30 for the upcoming winter driving season. Sort making a 7.5w25. Both oils are QS. She drives about 800 miles a month and we change her oil every 4K. I am planning the next change at Thanksgiving. Would this be a:

Good idea - Why waste good oil and there is little difference in this mixed blend from a 5 or 10w30

Bad Idea - Don't risk this just save $5 on the oil change

Really Bad Idea - How cheep are you? What did your daughter ever do to you! Someone call Child Social Services!!

Thanks for your input.

 

[mechtech2]

Sounds perfect for winter.

 

[jazztrumpet216]

Sounds fine to me. I have mixed viscs in the past and have not had any problems with it.

 

[SargeGTO]

I use my "leftover" quarts for a flush oil. After the drain has stopped ripping or at the least is very slow...I take a spare quart of something and pour it in....it flushes all the crud from the bottom of the pan that has collected...let it drain good and then replace the drain plug and fill with whatever it is I'm going with....I am convinced an undiluted full fill of one add pack/base oil versus a ad hoc mix is the way to go.

 

[Built_Well]

Quote:

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I use my "leftover" quarts for a flush oil. After the drain has stopped ripping or at the least is very slow...I take a spare quart of something and pour it in....it flushes all the crud from the bottom of the pan that has collected...let it drain good and then replace the drain plug and fill with whatever it is I'm going with....I am convinced an undiluted full fill of one add pack/base oil versus a ad hoc mix is the way to go.

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]

Using cheap leftover oil to flush the crud from the bottom of the car's oil pan sounds like a great idea. Sam's Club sells conventional oil for as cheap as $1.50 a quart. Could you use this conventional oil as a flush fluid if you use synthetic oil like PP? Seems feasible, but doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[Vilan]

Quote:

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Good idea - Why waste good oil and there is little difference in this mixed blend from a 5 or 10w30

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[bobfather99]

Changed my oil yesterday in my 158000 mile 95 Bonneville.

1Qt GTX 10w40HM
1Qt Chevron Supreme 10w30
3Qt Exxon Superflo 10W30

All with a Quaker State filter (Hencho in USA!!!)

So as you can see, I dont see anything wrong with mixing..
Use it and drive away!!

Bob

 

[tsmay51]

Nothing wrong with mixing. Just use it and forget about it. With that being said, I use all partial oil quarts for my lawnmower, pressure washer, and edger. All different brands and weights.

 

[wgtoys]

Your 1qt 5W20 along with the rest 10w30 plan sounds good to me. The fact that both are Quaker State brand makes the chance of additive incompatibility even lower than it already would be.


As to using some fresh oil to "flush" the drain pan, that seems like a waste to me. Especially with reasonable OCIs the amount of left over old oil isn't going to matter a bit. Just let the car drain for 15 minutes or so if you are really concerned with getting the old stuff out.

 

[dwendt44]

I'm with Wgtoys. Using a cheap oil to flush would leave a small amount of that cheap oil in the head/block and a puddle on the bottom of the oil pan.

 

[SargeGTO]

Quote:

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Your 1qt 5W20 along with the rest 10w30 plan sounds good to me. The fact that both are Quaker State brand makes the chance of additive incompatibility even lower than it already would be.


As to using some fresh oil to "flush" the drain pan, that seems like a waste to me. Especially with reasonable OCIs the amount of left over old oil isn't going to matter a bit. Just let the car drain for 15 minutes or so if you are really concerned with getting the old stuff out.

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Well after changing more than a few oil pans and gaskets in my day .....when you drain the oil....and remove the pan...you find a "gathering" of "stuff" all around the drain hole that did not have enough fluid to lift it....I've been flushing ever since.....doesnt have to do with getting all the old oil out....has everything to do with getting all the "stuff" out.

 

[richter1]

For flushing the pan at oil changes, would it make more sense to use a solvent like kerosene or mineral spirits?