What oil do you use and why?

[RTexasF]

Yes. I realize a UOA is not the end all to how well an oil performs but it`s a darn good indicator. Penz Plat is outperforming the vast majority of the others in that respect and I`m an M1 user.

[kpounds]

Here`s a quote I read on BITOG and was echoed by another. I`ve been reading that site so long my head`s spinning! Many really liked Pennzoil regular oil, saying it had improved alot as of late. Lots of Amsoil, Mobil 1 and synthetic fans there too.



"Buy the best priced oil you can get that has API SM on it, game over."



API Motor Oil Service Classifications

[itb76]

Maybe I`m misunderstanding something over at BITOG, but I thought the SM standard requires lower levels of anti-wear additives to protect catalytic converters compared to SL? My primary concern is engine wear, as my lower mileage car has 175K on it and sees 6000 rpm regularly.

[Setec Astronomy]

Here`s a quote I read on BITOG and was echoed by another. I`ve been reading that site so long my head`s spinning!



"Buy the best priced oil you can get that has API SM on it, game over."

Yeah, that place makes my head hurt, too.

Maybe I`m misunderstanding something over at BITOG, but I thought the SM standard requires lower levels of anti-wear additives to protect catalytic converters compared to SL?

I haven`t been at BITOG much lately (see above), but last I read, the issue is that SM required lower levels of traditional anti-wear additives, the jury was still out as to whether the alternative anti-wear additives work as well.

[kpounds]

Maybe I`m misunderstanding something over at BITOG, but I thought the SM standard requires lower levels of anti-wear additives to protect catalytic converters compared to SL?

It could be sir, I`m not an expert at this. I wouldn`t change anything if you`re seriously concerned about engine wear. I`d probably post at BITOG and ask what oil they`d recommend.

[itb76]

Yeah, that place makes my head hurt, too.

It could be sir, I`m not an expert at this. I wouldn`t change anything if you`re seriously concerned about engine wear. I`d probably post at BITOG and ask what oil they`d recommend.

Tried that and got a lot of different answers. There is an overabundence of information there. That`s preferable to not enough, but can be quite confusing. Since I broke a timing chain last August, and found scuffed bearings and varnish in the engine using an SM oil (M1 0W40, which is recommended by VW) for 50K leading up to that, I do want to change something. For now I`m thinking M1 5W40 TDT, maybe changing to GC for winter. I`ll let oil analysis be my guide, and let others run SM until the jury reaches a verdict.

[Rol777]

If price is no object Amsoil and Royal Purple, good stuff.

[JonP]

If price is no object Amsoil and Royal Purple, good stuff.

As far as I`m concerned for my vehicles, price is no object when it comes to keeping them running strong and looking great. I never go cheap when it comes to maintaining my vehicles.

[imported_mburnickas]

Take BITOG data with a house size grain of salt..Too much pimping of products.



But, I will take my 12,000 mile drains using Amsoil 0w-20 and my mint UOA`s..I tried others and not even close in TAN, TBN, wears and OXD/NOX...

[DAC17]

Pennzoil Platinum or Mobil 1, whichever happens to be lower-priced at Wally World. Both will do the job for just about any driving conditions.

[getcha]

I use Mobil 1 because I like to pay full synthetic price for an oil that`s not really really a full synthetic anymore.

Rofl. Me too. Just noticed this thread.



Mobil 1 contemplating the switch to Amsoil. Thinking about Eneos too..

[Asad_A203]

Castrol Syntec 0W-30 in winter and 5W-30 in summer. I am not sure why I use Castrol; no other better oils available locally I guess.

[wfedwar]

German Castrol synthetic 0W-30. Best oil available OTC in North America.

[Infraggable Kru]

royal purple for my baby



i gained 1-2mpg !

[Spali32]

I use Amsoil full-synthetic oils. Use Amsoil in all my cars in the past 8 years. They were the #1 Full Synthetic oil to come out first and still going strong.