Upcoming Winter...

[DontTazeMeBro]

Does anyone here do their own oil changes? What kind of oil do you guys use for colder climates? I've heard that thicker oils are better but nobody can give me a good explanation of why.

 

[bdmaash]

5w30 castrol syntec <<<use some sort of synthetic
wix filter <<<<or some good filter

seems fine in the -30 to -40 deg celcius weather, with the truck never ever plugged in, and parked on the street.

 

[chad551]

Mobil 1 synthetic 5-30 and either Mobil 1 or Bosch filters.

 

[JohnnyO]

30 or 40 years ago, manufacturers would recommend different oils at different times of the year. With modern engines built to tighter tolerances and modern oils that are way better than what grandpappy used in the Studebaker, just use the 5w-30 that the truck calls for, change it every 5000 miles, and don't worry about it.
Today, thicker does not mean better.
I use Mobil 1 0w-30 Fuel Economy Formula year-round, get used oil analysis (UOA) occasionally, and the oil viscosity and wear metals are fine.
Without a UOA, anything else is just speculation.

www.blackstone-labs.com

 

[DontTazeMeBro]

30 or 40 years ago, manufacturers would recommend different oils at different times of the year. With modern engines built to tighter tolerances and modern oils that are way better than what grandpappy used in the Studebaker, just use the 5w-30 that the truck calls for, change it every 5000 miles, and don't worry about it.
Today, thicker does not mean better.
I use Mobil 1 0w-30 Fuel Economy Formula year-round, get used oil analysis (UOA) occasionally, and the oil viscosity and wear metals are fine.
Without a UOA, anything else is just speculation.

www.blackstone-labs.com

It certainly sounds like you have done your research as opposed to the other responses who say I use "X", you should use "X"? Is there any reason why I should choose Mobil 1 as opposed to "Vatozone X"?

 

[spankmeplz]

It doesn't matter what kind of oil you use in your vehicle. If your vehicle specificially stated synthetic, use synthetic. Change it on time with a new oil filter. And always wipe your drain plug and dipstick. You do not want contaminated oil with your old oil. Get as much out as possible. I use qtips to get as much of the remaining oil out of the bottom of the pan as possible. Always clean your plug and dipstick.

 

[JohnnyO]

It certainly sounds like you have done your research as opposed to the other responses who say I use "X", you should use "X"? Is there any reason why I should choose Mobil 1 as opposed to "Vatozone X"?

FWIW, when it comes to 5w-30's I've gotten slightly better UOA's with Pennzoil Platinum than I did with Mobil 1 and it costs about $1 less a quart. My Mobil 1 Truck & SUV 5w-30 UOA came back absolutely awful and I would not recommend that. If you don't want to use a full synthetic, then Motorcraft Synthetic Blend is an excellent oil for the money.

The above is all based on Used Oil Analysis and not speculation or marketing.

Changing the oil regularly and using a quality filter, i.e. not Fram, is way more important than what oil you use. The Autolite filters showing up at Wal-Mart are relabeled Frams. Just use Motorcraft.

www.bobistheoilguy.com

 

[spankmeplz]

JohnnyO, does your oil fill cap say to use synthetic only? If not you might as well throw your money out the window.

What is wrong with fram? I have been using them for some time now and never had a problem. Have some data to back up that fram filters are subpar?

 

[spankmeplz]

That guy bobistheoilguy is a moron. I would resemble that to me asking Joe the plumber what kind of ****** I should use. He lists on his website about changing oil on a locomotive. Oil is never changed, only added.

 

[JohnnyO]

JohnnyO, does your oil fill cap say to use synthetic only?

No.

If not you might as well throw your money out the window.

Syn is better. I am willing to pay for "better", as well as any infinitesimal mpg increase I might get. I don't tell you how to spend your money.

What is wrong with fram? I have been using them for some time now and never had a problem.

Of course not. Other people have. A Fram won't necessarily blow up your engine but the simple fact is that there are better filters available for the same money or less (Motorcraft).

Have some data to back up that fram filters are subpar?

Easy. Just cut one open. There is less filter media than other filters and cardboard endcaps instead of metal that almost every other filter uses.

That guy bobistheoilguy is a moron. I would resemble that to me asking Joe the plumber what kind of ****** I should use. He lists on his website about changing oil on a locomotive. Oil is never changed, only added.

And a locomotive is not a car. The boards are source of useful information, especially the Used Oil Analysis reports.

Run whatever you want, dude. Don't mistake me for someone who gives a crap.

 

[spankmeplz]

First off babe, I am a female, not a dude.

As far as oil filters, more is not better. Oil flow is critical inside a filter. Pack a clothes washer full with laundry. Does it all get clean? No. Water may not even reach all of the clothes.

I pay $12.99 for oil and a filter at autozone, o'reilly, ect for an oil change. I am guessing you are payin close to $70. Are you really getting better mileage, and if you are, more than $55 savings? That is about what it would take to make using full synthetic worthwhile. If you are using full synthetic so you feel better, that's fine. But saying full synthetic will give you a free tank of fuel (with the savings) over Dino oil (that your car was designed for) is crap.

As for the website, if the guy has wrong information about locomotives, how can I trust his info on cars? Hmmmm.

 

[JohnnyO]

More area of filter media is better. A 5 qt. jug of Mobil 1 at Wally-Mart is $23 and a Motorcraft filter is $3.97, and I change it myself in far less time than it takes me to wait at a shop.
If you have wrong information on oil, how can I trust your info on oil?

How many UOA's have you gotten? How many filters have you cut open?

FWIW, in my wife's car I use Motorcraft 5w-20 because the UOA's I got comparing it to Mobil 1 were nearly identical in that particular application. Ergo, no point in spending extra on synthetic. I'm on my third 4.0 SOHC Ford truck and the UOA's with syn are simply better (with one exception).

But saying full synthetic will give you a free tank of fuel (with the savings) over Dino oil (that your car was designed for) is crap.

I didn't say that. My exact word was "infinitesimal". I'll take all the mpg help I can get.

 

[Scotty J.]

She said babe :bsnicker:

 

[spankmeplz]

The Autolite filters showing up at Wal-Mart are relabeled Frams. Just use Motorcraft.

More area of filter media is better. A 5 qt. jug of Mobil 1 at Wally-Mart is $23 and a Motorcraft filter is $3.97, and I change it myself in far less time than it takes me to wait at a shop.

First off, you are saying Autolite is fooling walmart shoppers by sneaking their oil filters on the shelf with fram labels? I find that hard to believe. I find it even harder to believe fram would allow that to happen.

As for my comments, find one wrong thing I said. Your comment about changing oil and assuming that I go to a shop is pretty sexist. I change my own oil, it's not that hard.

And, you do not trust walmart for a filter, but it's ok to buy oil from them. How do you know it is not simply recycled oil, or pure Dino oil? Or do you have your oil tested before and after you use it. I do not see your logic.

Have you really cut these oil filters open before and after using them? Pics or it didn't happen.

I had a Subaru wagon that had 384k miles on it. I would still be driving it if it were not for some mouthbreather rearending me, totalling the car. I changed oil with Dino, used a new filter every time, and the only oil problem I ever had was a front seal that leaked a little bit, and an oil pan rusted out, requiring me to replace it. I never had the oil tested. Change it on time with the proper oil and 200k out of any decent engine without bearing failure should be the norm.

 

[Project_Sparta]

Woe, all right kiddies j/k

I have never used synthetic, although I always wanted to , its just to expensive for me
I always use frams, My dad always used fram, so I never seen otherwise.

Just use the half syn half dino problem solved lol.