TropArtic Semi-Syn 5w-30

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tbmmbt

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Hi,

Has anyone used this oil on a consistent basis and what are your impressions?(Good or Bad) I am still changing my oil at the every 3000 miles. I can't help it so thats why I am asking about this particular oil. If I'm going to change it every 3000 miles I figured I should try to go with the $1.68 a qt price but would like your alls imput one way or the other. I look forward to the replies.
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Thanks
Butch
 
In my humble opinion it is probably the best value you can get in a semi-syn. Run it, it's really a good oil and you will have no problems especially with 3000 mile changes.
 
I will happily second Gopher Freak's recommendation. This was the oil I would have switched to before some of the recent rebates. Think about it. A very good semi-syn at prices better than all the major conventional brands.
 
Great oil.

I've used time and time again, Right now i'm actually using it in my t-bird on my Auto-Rx Phase and will probably use it again to rinse, then after i haven't decided what oil to run
 
I got a case of it..along with a bunch of MC, Havoline, Pennzoil, Valvoline, Mobil 1, PP, Maxlife(great sale-5qt box for 7.50 bought 10 boxes)..I get in a color mood when I change oil..
 
Unless your engine/driving conditions are extremely severe, I would consider extending your OCI to 5k miles. Modern Group II/II+ formulated motor oils will generally handle 5k quite easily.
 
I go about 4500+ miles with 2 old vehicles, 2 lane rural highway driving. 5 and 10w30....good bang for the buck. Been running it for about 2 yrs.
 
use with confidence. heck, at 3k miles, I would be tempted to use supertech oil. If your into using name brand oil at a great price, check out the rebate forum here.
 
Quote:

I got a case of it..along with a bunch of MC, Havoline, Pennzoil, Valvoline, Mobil 1, PP, Maxlife(great sale-5qt box for 7.50 bought 10 boxes)..I get in a color mood when I change oil..

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...I remember the Maxlife sale you speak of at Wal-mart...I couldn't believe it when I price checked it...that was such a deal!...I only bought four boxes
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...
 
Hey,

Checked my post this morning and thanks for all the replies about the TropArtic Semi-Syn. I am trying to figure what to use in my 4X4 GMC. I have been a loyal Havoline oil user for over 25 yrs but since I have found this forum I am starting to think it doesn't matter what you buy as long as it's a good name brand oil. Since this oil is as economical as it is I thought about using it. I don't really have a set number of miles per year I drive as right now I am using a different vehicle for my occupation but if something happens to it then the truck goes back into service. It could be as low as 6000 miles a year and as much as 20000 miles a year. I try to stay on the 3000 mile OCI which according to some here is wasting oil and time but that is what I have always done for the last 30 some odd years and has never had an oil related problem yet so the cheapnest of the oil price is a very small price to pay for that and I like to change my own oil. When I am changing it I have a chance to look at everything under there and see if there is anything that might be or about to be wrong with something. It's a good problem to have in my opinion. But again I am still looking for what kind to use and I have been seeing the TropArtic and didn't know anything about that oil.

Thanks For The Replies
Butch
 
For $1.68 regular price at Walmart it is a great deal. I think that if you change youor oil every 3000 miles or so it would fine. On most common sump sive from 3.5-5.5 quarts I do not think that it would make a good oil for much past 5000 miles in most application. I have even thought about buying a case of it myself. For a $1.68 a quart it is a good deal and I would recomend it.
 
I'm old school 3K but that's on dino. Synth I'll take to 6K, blend to 4.5K as general rule. Conservative, the way I like and it's a chance to look for other issues.

Dino has always cost me about $1 sale/rebate. So when I can get Conoco's TropArtic everyday at $1.68 I'm there when I can use a _W30 weight. I think Conoco knows something special about low cost blends (they make the Motorcraft one I use also).
 
I have been using it at 5k mile intervals in my Two Toyota trucks(Taco and 4 runner). No issues, no consumption, no worries. I change the oil and drive for 5k miles and change it again. Sometimes I rotate the tires and I change the air filter every 2 years or so.
Life is good. The vehicles run good. I have other things to worry about and the oil is doing the job it is supposed to (lubricate, cool and protect against corrosion).
There is no bad SM GF4 oil.
 
I would not hesistate to run it in most applications for 3000 miles. The only thing I do not like about this oil is that it start's with a low TBN and does not retain it well. THe wear rates seem just fine for it though. SO for what you have in mind it should work just great and represent a good value. Now that is assumeing it does not take you 6 months to put 3000 miles on.
 
hm interesting how noone goes over 3k on this oil. i wonder why. 4-5 miles000 should be accessible as well. You guys that go 3k aren't inherently and intrinsically saying you can NOT go up to ~5k miles with this oil??
 
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... The only thing I do not like about this oil is that it start's with a low TBN and does not retain it well. ...

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Why do you say that the TBN starts low? It is 7.8 as with Havoline and other dinos that turn good 4-5k OCI UOA. I do not agree with TBN being the only indicator when oil has reach its end-of-life. Trop Artic 5w30 has a HT/HS of 3.1 which is higher than other dinos with more marketing $$. With the latest SM rating along other improvements in base oil refining and additive package mixtures with higher quality components makes 3k OCI a thing of the past, and a waste of money and time.

Also, there are less times over the life of an engine that oil drain plugs are removed and tightened, reducing wear on the oil pan drain plug threads especially on the many aluminum pans of today's engines that can strip much easier than steel oil pans.

I am an 'ol schooler also that took time to break the 3k OCI habit; 4-5k OCI is plenty for normal use by a common car owner. Extreme service is another thing but those who fall in this category are more like using synthetics.
 
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