Motor Oil Questions anyone?

[thecritic]

 

[mugs]

My sister thinks she has to use olive oil in her car, because it has a high performance engine. I tell her canola oil works fine in my Civic, so it should be fine for her car. Who is right?

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: mugs
My sister thinks she has to use olive oil in her car, because it has a high performance engine. I tell her canola oil works fine in my Civic, so it should be fine for her car. Who is right?

I think any rapeseed-based oil should be fine in that environment. Canola is good in a pinch - but breaks down over time. DO NOT USE olive oil! It will corrode your muffler bearings.

 

[thecritic]

Good joke. I wouldn?t use either one. Snake oil should be okay. j/k


What kind of high performance car is it anyway?

I?d run Mobil 1 in most high performance cars anyway for 5K, and then have it analyzed to see if it?s the best oil for the application.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: wanmichael
What kind of high performance car is it anyway?

I don't have a sister. Free bump. I use AMSOIL because it's the only synthetic 5W-20 I've been able to find.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: wanmichael
What kind of high performance car is it anyway?

I don't have a sister. Free bump. I use AMSOIL because it's the only synthetic 5W-20 I've been able to find.

Mobil1 has 5w20

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Oils/Mobil_1_5W-20.aspx

 

[thecritic]

Mugs,
The Amsoil XL-7500 5W-20 is actually a Group III based synthetic, which is really a petroleum base. It is not a full synthetic, instead a synthetic blend marketed as a full-synthetic product.

The Mobil 1 0W-20 is a much better choice. Its fully compatible in applications requiring 5W-20, since it flows better upon startup. Recently, Mobil 1 introduced a 5W-20 for those who are concerned about any warranty related problems. It should be avaliable soon, if not already. Even if you did use Mobil 1 0W-20, you shouldn't have a problem, except for convincing your dealer to put it in for you if you don't change your own oil.

 

[Caminetto]

OK I have used Castrol syntec 5w50 for years in my SUV. What is a good alternative synthetic and what grade for all weather conditions here in Ohio.

 

[zixxer]

my motorcycle has a wet clutch... some SWEAR by the hype from motorcycle-specific oils..... is it actually better, or will ANY non-energy conserving oil work fine?

 

[thecritic]

Make/Model of your SUV?
Driving Conditions?
Past Maintenance History?
What is your current interval with Syntec 5/50?
Amount of Mileage yearly?

 

[thecritic]

Originally posted by: armatron
my motorcycle has a wet clutch... some SWEAR by the hype from motorcycle-specific oils..... is it actually better, or will ANY non-energy conserving oil work fine?

Sorry, not familiar with motorcycles at all. I don't want to provide incorrect advise that may result in damage to the motorcycle.

 

[mdcrab]

IF you use a synthetic motor oil should you change the oil filter twice as often as the oil?
If you change the oil every 10k mi, should you change the filter every 5k mi?

I have a new Honda Accord v-6 and am thinking about using Mobil 1. Manufacturer recommends 5w-30, but should I use 0w-20?

mdcrab

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: wanmichael

Originally posted by: armatron
my motorcycle has a wet clutch... some SWEAR by the hype from motorcycle-specific oils..... is it actually better, or will ANY non-energy conserving oil work fine?

Sorry, not familiar with motorcycles at all. I don't want to provide incorrect advise that may result in damage to the motorcycle.

okay I have a nissan 200sx (1998) with 99k miles on it. I've ran mobil 1 10w30 for like 50k miles now... is it time to switch to the mobil 1 high milage synthetic?


It hasn't been driven hard nor easy granda-like. I've always changed the oil after 3k miles... even though I know I can wait 5k+ with the full syn.

 

[Caminetto]

Originally posted by: wanmichael
Make/Model of your SUV?
Driving Conditions?
Past Maintenance History?
What is your current interval with Syntec 5/50?
Amount of Mileage yearly?

1994 Nissan Pathfinder used for big load shopping and weekend trips to cabin under all kinds of conditions and weather - though very little freeway driving. Only putting about 5000 miles a year on it and oil is changed every 6 months.

 

[thecritic]

Originally posted by: mdcrab
IF you use a synthetic motor oil should you change the oil filter twice as often as the oil?
If you change the oil every 10k mi, should you change the filter every 5k mi?

I have a new Honda Accord v-6 and am thinking about using Mobil 1. Manufacturer recommends 5w-30, but should I use 0w-20?

mdcrab

Last time, I checked, Honda recommends 5W/20 in all Honda engines 2002-Newer. I would not run a synthetic oil for 10K without having it analyzed and getting a TBN reading. Just because it is synthetic does not mean that it'll last the full 10,000 miles. Yes, changing the filter at 5K and topping off is a good idea, but may not be necessary depending on the oil and the driving conditions. Mobil 1 0W-20 would be fine if Honda calls for 5W-20, but Mobil 1 is phasing 0W-20 out and replacing it with 5W-20.

BTW, Try Blackstone Labs for analysis.

 

[OS]

do either mobil 1 0w-20 or 5w-20 use viscosity improvers?

 

[thecritic]

Originally posted by: Caminetto

Originally posted by: wanmichael
Make/Model of your SUV?
Driving Conditions?
Past Maintenance History?
What is your current interval with Syntec 5/50?
Amount of Mileage yearly?

1994 Nissan Pathfinder used for big load shopping and weekend trips to cabin under all kinds of conditions and weather - though very little freeway driving. Only putting about 5000 miles a year on it and oil is changed every 6 months.

Once a year with Mobil 1 5W-30 and oversized Purolator filter should be fine. Any oil should be able to last 5,000 miles unless there is a mechanical problem. It'd be great if you could take it on a highway trip once in a while to burn off some fuel that may have accumulated in the oil because of the short trips. Consider getting it analyzed by Blackstone.

 

[thecritic]

Originally posted by: wanmichael

Originally posted by: Caminetto

Originally posted by: wanmichael
Make/Model of your SUV?
Driving Conditions?
Past Maintenance History?
What is your current interval with Syntec 5/50?
Amount of Mileage yearly?

1994 Nissan Pathfinder used for big load shopping and weekend trips to cabin under all kinds of conditions and weather - though very little freeway driving. Only putting about 5000 miles a year on it and oil is changed every 6 months.

Once a year with Mobil 1 5W-30 and oversized Purolator filter should be fine. Any oil should be able to last 5,000 miles unless there is a mechanical problem. It'd be great if you could take it on a highway trip once in a while to burn off some fuel that may have accumulated in the oil because of the short trips. Consider getting it analyzed by Blackstone.

Forgot, Mobil 0W-40 would also be a good choice. It is a thin 40wt, but tends to shear down to a high 30wt.

 

[thecritic]

Originally posted by: armatron

Originally posted by: wanmichael

Originally posted by: armatron
my motorcycle has a wet clutch... some SWEAR by the hype from motorcycle-specific oils..... is it actually better, or will ANY non-energy conserving oil work fine?

Sorry, not familiar with motorcycles at all. I don't want to provide incorrect advise that may result in damage to the motorcycle.

okay I have a nissan 200sx (1998) with 99k miles on it. I've ran mobil 1 10w30 for like 50k miles now... is it time to switch to the mobil 1 high milage synthetic?


It hasn't been driven hard nor easy granda-like. I've always changed the oil after 3k miles... even though I know I can wait 5k+ with the full syn.

Mobil 1 should last for 5-6K in most applications. Analyze it to confirm. Mobil does not offer a high mileage synthetic. They instead offer a high mileage motor oil, which is "suppose" to have seal conditioners. But, high mileage oils tend to hold their viscosity a bit better.

I'd stick with Mobil 1. There is no need to switch a conventional motor oil when Mobil 1 synthetic is giving you much better protection than any conventional motor oil.

 

[aic]

I buy any major oil. shell, exxon, pennzoil, quaker, valvoline. I always use 5w-30 and I usually go 4-6 months and 3-5,000 miles. never used synthetic. My honda has 127,000 miles and a compression test came back good. oil is oil is what consumer reports said. I don't think they tested synthetic back then, years ago.

 

[Eli]

Hello, friend.

Nice to see other oil people around.

 

[thecritic]

Originally posted by: aic
I buy any major oil. shell, exxon, pennzoil, quaker, valvoline. I always use 5w-30 and I usually go 4-6 months and 3-5,000 miles. never used synthetic. My honda has 127,000 miles and a compression test came back good. oil is oil is what consumer reports said. I don't think they tested synthetic back then, years ago.

Careful. Not all conventional oils are equal. Some have much better additive packs than others. Good petroleum oils which have turned back excellent Used Oil Analysis Reports include:

Pennzoil
Chevron
Havoline
Motorcraft
Exxon Superflo
Mobil? (New formulas, awaiting analysis reports)

Questionable Quality:
Valvoline (weak additive pack)
Quaker State (weak additive pack)

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: OS
do either mobil 1 0w-20 or 5w-20 use viscosity improvers?

 

[thecritic]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: OS
do either mobil 1 0w-20 or 5w-20 use viscosity improvers?

Sorry, almost forgot. M1 5/20 or 0/20 does contain some type of Viscosity improver, since they decrease the rate at which oil changes viscosity with temperatures. Modern day viscosity improvers should not "burn up" and clog the rings like they did in the past.

 

[OS]

Also is it true that synthetic oil has a lower coefficient of friction, and if so, how much better?