Same oil for 3 different cars?

[Ddub]

Hi BITOG,

I'm thinking about using the same oil in all 3 of my cars (Ford Explorer is my company car and goes to Goodyear every 5K for maintenance, so I'm not sweating that one).

The 2010 Mazda 6 calls for a 5W-20, has 80K miles on it and has been bullet proof on 6K-8K OCIs (stretching to 10K OCI on current Castrol EP fill) with various Pennzoil and Castrol synthetics (Edge, Magnatec, PP, PUP). 2.5L

The 2012 Hyundai Sonata is new to us, has 17K miles on it, and calls for a 5W-20 or 5W-30. All oil changes have been performed at the dealer with full syn, but I am not positive of the brand or weight. I am aware of the recall issues with this 2.4 GDI motor and would rather run a 5W-30 with 5K OCIs. The engine has been inspected by Hyundai and now has an orange dipstick.

The 2017 Volvo S60 was purchased as a CPO demo car with 5K miles on it, and now has 11K miles. The dealer performed free oil changes at 5K and 10K with Castrol Professional 5W-30. I have 1 more free oil change left at 20K, but I plan to change the oil on this 2.0L DI turbo at 5K intervals for a while. The manual calls for 10K OCIs with an A5/B5 5W-30, but I am considering going to an A3/B4 oil with more stringent (IMO) certifications like MB229.5, LL01, etc.

Using the Volvo as the benchmark oil, that would bring me to Castrol 5W-30 (which comes in both A5/B5 and A3/B4 flavors) or Pennzoil Euro Platinum 5W-30, which is an A3/B4, MB229.5, LL-01 oil. Do you think there are any issues running 1 of those 3 oils in all 3 cars? Any recommendations? The Mazda can take a longer OCI, but I plan to keep the Hyundai and Volvo at 5K OCIs. Thank you for your thoughtful insight.

 

[Dave1027]

I run all three of our vehicles on a mix of PP or M1 0w20 and Shell Rotella T6. The mix varies depending on each vehicle's viscosity needs.

 

[JC1]

I don't see there being any issue. I'd use Pennzoil Euro Platinum 5W-30. Others while chime in once they dig out of the snow.

 

[SirTanon]

If I'm not mistaken, the Mazda 6 i Touring has the same 2.5 liter i4 engine used by the Ford Fusion (the L5-VE). Assuming yours does, then the engine in your Mazda is the same as what's in my Fusion, and I've run 5w-30 oil in my Fusion at least as much as, if not more than, I've used 5w-20 oil, and it's never been a problem. Considering you're in TX, I wouldn't think a 5w-30 would be a problem in your 2.5 either.

Considering that the other two cars you're referring to also spec 5w-30 oil, I would expect that you could simply utilize the Castrol 5w-30 or Pennzoil 5w-30 for all 3, and not give it any more thought.

 

[BLND1]

It probably won't matter what you do, but if it were me I would run the Hyundai and Mazda on a Dexos1G2 full syn or synblend in 5w30 and the Volvo on a Euro blend 5w30 in whichever flavor makes you more comfortable.

 

[demarpaint]

I don't see any problem at all.

 

[Jimmy_Russells]

Pennzoil Platinum 5W30, on the thin side for 30 weight, should be good in all three.

 

[madeej11]

I vote for Castrol Professional 5w30 in all three vehicles.

 

[Patman]

Why the need to run one oil for all three cars? I have three different cars running not only three different brands but three different viscosities too. There really is no true one size fits all oil for everything, I prefer picking the right oil for the specific job.

 

[zorobabel]

I would add to the previous Pennzoil and Castrol euro oil suggestions:
Mobil1 HM 10W-30
Delo XSP 5W-30
Delo XLE 10W-30

 

[dogememe]

AMSOIL 0W-30?

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted by dogememe
AMSOIL 0W-30?

Now you said it... Paging all the haters, all the haters please to this thread immediately. That's all the haters... To this thread.

Originally Posted by Ddub
Hi BITOG,

I'm thinking about using the same oil in all 3 of my cars (Ford Explorer is my company car and goes to Goodyear every 5K for maintenance, so I'm not sweating that one).

The 2010 Mazda 6 calls for a 5W-20, has 80K miles on it and has been bullet proof on 6K-8K OCIs (stretching to 10K OCI on current Castrol EP fill) with various Pennzoil and Castrol synthetics (Edge, Magnatec, PP, PUP). 2.5L

The 2012 Hyundai Sonata is new to us, has 17K miles on it, and calls for a 5W-20 or 5W-30. All oil changes have been performed at the dealer with full syn, but I am not positive of the brand or weight. I am aware of the recall issues with this 2.4 GDI motor and would rather run a 5W-30 with 5K OCIs. The engine has been inspected by Hyundai and now has an orange dipstick.

The 2017 Volvo S60 was purchased as a CPO demo car with 5K miles on it, and now has 11K miles. The dealer performed free oil changes at 5K and 10K with Castrol Professional 5W-30. I have 1 more free oil change left at 20K, but I plan to change the oil on this 2.0L DI turbo at 5K intervals for a while. The manual calls for 10K OCIs with an A5/B5 5W-30, but I am considering going to an A3/B4 oil with more stringent (IMO) certifications like MB229.5, LL01, etc.

Using the Volvo as the benchmark oil, that would bring me to Castrol 5W-30 (which comes in both A5/B5 and A3/B4 flavors) or Pennzoil Euro Platinum 5W-30, which is an A3/B4, MB229.5, LL-01 oil. Do you think there are any issues running 1 of those 3 oils in all 3 cars? Any recommendations? The Mazda can take a longer OCI, but I plan to keep the Hyundai and Volvo at 5K OCIs. Thank you for your thoughtful insight.


I see no reason you can't use the oil for the Volvo in all 3 for the OCI you are looking for.

 

[dave1251]

M-1 0W40 or Rotella T-6.

 

[53' Stude]

Originally Posted by dave1251
M-1 0W40 or Rotella T-6.


I'd say M1 0w40

 

[Tdog02]

I would say the Castrol 5W-30 for all three would be fine for you in Texas.

 

[DGXR]

I agree you can run the 5w30 grade in all three and be confident. But remember, there is a reason why oil comes in 5-quart jugs. If the three engine capacities are such that 5 quarts will put the oil level between the ADD and FULL marks, just get the specified oil for each car. Also remember it's OK to mix different oil grades if one vehicle needs a top up, or if one has a smaller capacity and another has a larger capacity. Hope this makes sense.

 

[SilverFusion2010]

I agree with 5w-30 for your fleet and I'll toss in a plug for M1 HM 10w-30. It's a good thick 30 with HTHS of 3.5. Plenty of insurance for those hot Texas summers

 

[Triple_Se7en]

If your Sonata is direct inject and your Volvo sports turbos, then you want a SN Plus Dexos oil built to combat carbon ,LSPI and heat from turbos

Pennzoil Platinum, QS Ultimate Durability, Valvoline Modern Engine, Castrol Magnatec and Mobil-1 are all relatively easy to find.

 

[Pinoak]

^thats what I'd suggest. Keep it simple and pic any 5w30 sn plus oil on the shelves to is for all 3 vehicles.
Your not looking to greatly extend so even supertech would be great I think. Not that you couldn't extend with supertech but I think tbn retention is better with some of the bigger brands like Valvoline Mobil 1
Judging by many uoas Ive seen anyway.
The Castrol 5w30 you mentioned would be fine. Lspi is real in di engines so I'd stick with sn+ for those and it's backwards compatible for your 6 too.

 

[Ddub]

Thank you, everyone. All good stuff to consider.

Looking into it a little further, it looks as if PP (non-Euro) is an ACEA A5/B5 oil. That will work for the Volvo and the other 2 as well, so I have 4 different choices sticking with Castrol Edge (5W-30 in A5/B5 or A3/B4) or Pennzoil (5W-30 PP A5/B5 or 5W-30 PP Euro A3/B4). I see no reason to go to a boutique oil in my applications and OCIs, and do not want to stray too far from the 5W-30 requirements (Volvo requires, Hyundai needs, and Mazda will be fine with), so will not go to a 0W-40 or similar right now.

As for my wanting to do this (if possible), it just makes buying, storing, and pouring easier. Only the Mazda takes a 5qt bottle (although it really calls for 5.5). The Hyundai takes 5 and change, and the Volvo is 6.2qts, so it's just easier having 1 kind of oil around if I am going to be left with partially full bottles. I'm not married to the idea, but may do it as the next OCI approaches. The Mazda is up next I think.