What oil do you use with your engine?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

Svnla

Lifer
Nov 10, 2003
17,986
1,388
126
I used to use whatever is on sale.

Now I am using Valvoline 5w30 for the last few years with my SUV.
 

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,121
777
126
Boat = Royal Purple
Truck/motor home/cars = Mobil 1 Synthetic
 

Ameesh

Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
23,686
1
0
whatever the dealer puts in there, i have no idea what brand but i believe it is a synthetic
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15W-40 Heavy Duty Diesel oil.

The best conventional oil money can buy that is readily available.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: sharkeeper
QuinSyn+ - nice sky blue colour. 10,000 hrs on the screw clock baby!
*stares patiently*

That's not an engine. :p
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: CRXican
Valvoline

avoid Penzoil at all costs
Nothing wrong with Pennzoil. They're average/above average, actually.

Avoid:

5W-30/10W-30

Quaker State Peak Performance
Quaker State Multigrade
Castrol GTX
Wal-Mart SuperTech
Mobil Drive Clean Plus

All of these oils perform about the same. There is nothing really wrong with them, they just spec lower than other readily available oils.

Surprisingly, Havoline and Valvoline's synethetics rank right up there with AMSOil and Red Line.

Just above Mobil1 SuperSyn.

However, Mobil Delvac 1300 Super is a conventional oil that specs just as good as Mobil1 SuperSyn. Of course, without some of the benefits of synthetic - like an ultra low pour point.
 

Reckoner

Lifer
Jun 11, 2004
10,851
1
81
Not to change the topic but I've only driven my car 1300 miles over the past year, should I change the oil?
 

Jeff7181

Lifer
Aug 21, 2002
18,368
11
81
I've always used natural oil, the 59 cents per quart stuff, but I think I'm going to switch to synthetic because I'll be able to go longer between oil changes, and the engine should wear less. I plan on keeping the car I have for a long time so I think it'll be worth it in the long run.
 

InlineFive

Diamond Member
Sep 20, 2003
9,599
2
0
I have a turbocharged Volvo so ideally I should be using Mobil 1. Unfortunately I can't get under the engine right now to see if it's leaking at all (110k, not original owner) before I decide. So my mechanic used 10W-30.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
Not to change the topic but I've only driven my car 1300 miles over the past year, should I change the oil?
Yes. Immediately.

Infrequent driving is harder on your oil than driving consistantly.