[ithos]

What is the best brand of motor oil and what type? Do the benefits warrant the higher costs.

Mobile 1, Pennzoil Platinum, and Amsoil seem to get the most recommendations.

I chose Pennzoil Platinum since it is made from natural gas and the claim is that it results in fewer impurities. Had Take5 change my oil.

And FWIW, they have a 15 YEARS OR 500,000 MILE PROTECTION GUARANTEE.

No automotive shop around here uses it so you have to buy it from Walmart(Much cheaper than the competition)

[Toymeister]

"Bob is the oil guy" is a forum that discusses this topic extensively. Often with lab results. There you will get far more intelligent observations, vice simple opinions, based on facts than you will here.

Bob is the oil guy

[Bill14564]

I used standard Pennzoil until the vehicle called for synthetic and then I switched to Mobile 1. I drove 200K miles on two vehicles and nearly 100K on a few more with no oil-related problems. Can't say what is best but that worked for me.

[MrFlorida]

I use Mobile 1, but I think any brand name synthetic oils will do.

[Michael G.]

Originally Posted by MrFlorida

I use Mobile 1, but I think any brand name synthetic oils will do.

I use full synthetic Mobil1 also and always wondered looking at many full
synthetic oils prices, is there really a difference between synthetic oils that
sell for $3.50 a quart over oil that sell for over $8.00 a quart?

[Tvflguy]

Without a doubt. Amsoil. It’s one of the very few Fully synthetic oils available. Great protection. Google their site.

We have only used Amsoil in our MB for many years. Tremendous warranty. We get our fluid changes at Accurso Auto near WM on 466.

[tophcfa]

I have been using Amsoil for many many years because it’s the best in my opinion. However, I recently began using Royal Purple because the price of Amsoil has become outrageous (my 50 HP Kubota tractor takes almost 3 gallons of motor oil). Royal Purple is a very high quality synthetic oil at about the third of the price of Amsoil. A poor quality oil filter negates the advantages of a good synthetic oil, so don’t try to save a few dollars on the filter, I use WIX XP filters. I will continue to use Amsoil small engine oil on the golf carts since they only take a quart each oil change.

[Altavia]

From Car and Driver

Top-Rated Synthetic Oils for Protecting Your Car's Engine

[ithos]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

"Bob is the oil guy" is a forum that discusses this topic extensively. Often with lab results. There you will get far more intelligent observations, vice simple opinions, based on facts than you will here.

Bob is the oil guy

Thank You. I was searching for a dedicated site like this. Lots of different opinions. Just like TOV!

[TEXJK]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

"Bob is the oil guy" is a forum that discusses this topic extensively. Often with lab results. There you will get far more intelligent observations, vice simple opinions, based on facts than you will here.

Bob is the oil guy

Yes he has great info I was surprised how low Mobil one was on the best synthetic lists going buy the shear numbers Penn Plat one of highest in the category good oil

[Rwirish]

Mobil 1.

[Janie123]

Originally Posted by ithos

What is the best brand of motor oil and what type? Do the benefits warrant the higher costs.

Mobile 1, Pennzoil Platinum, and Amsoil seem to get the most recommendations.

I chose Pennzoil Platinum since it is made from natural gas and the claim is that it results in fewer impurities. Had Take5 change my oil.

And FWIW, they have a 15 YEARS OR 500,000 MILE PROTECTION GUARANTEE.

No automotive shop around here uses it so you have to buy it from Walmart(Much cheaper than the competition)

Pennzoil Platinum is now used by BMW racing as it’s their latest oil and the natural gas use is great for lesser impurities.

[Malsua]

Originally Posted by TEXJK

I was surprised how low Mobil one was on the best synthetic lists

Ask all the Subaru WRX guys who spun a main bearing if they are surprised that Mobil One performed poorly.

Amsoil _IS_ the best overall synthetic oil.

That said, unless you're really pushing an engine very hard, any synthetic oil is just fine.

As to golf carts and other splash lubricated engines, regular oil often performs better because the oil is stickier rather than slippery. It sticks to friction surfaces rather than "sheeting".

In engines with an oil pump synthetic is better generally except in some cases on propane fueled engines. Synthetics can cause coking when in the presence of the blowby products from propane combustion. In those cases, you should run an oil specifically designed for propane engines.

[tuccillo]

Most likely a classic example of not understanding statistics. Most Subaru WRXs that have spun bearing were probably using Mobil 1 because Mobil 1 is probably used in more Subaru WRXs than any other oil. A reputable reference with real data to support your claim would be nice otherwise it is just conjecture.

Originally Posted by Malsua

Ask all the Subaru WRX guys who spun a main bearing if they are surprised that Mobil One performed poorly.

Amsoil _IS_ the best overall synthetic oil.

That said, unless you're really pushing an engine very hard, any synthetic oil is just fine.

As to golf carts and other splash lubricated engines, regular oil often performs better because the oil is stickier rather than slippery. It sticks to friction surfaces rather than "sheeting".

In engines with an oil pump synthetic is better generally except in some cases on propane fueled engines. Synthetics can cause coking when in the presence of the blowby products from propane combustion. In those cases, you should run an oil specifically designed for propane engines.

[tuccillo]

I doubt you will find any data to support any significant differences between synthetic oils in real world applications. Use an oil that meets the API, Delvac, or other specific manufacturer standard (such as Porsche has) and meets the viscosity range recommended by the manufacturer (such as 0W-20). In many cases, this will be a synthetic only. Change the oil according to the "severe use" recommendation since most people's driving falls under the "severe use" category. If you really want to try to fine tune your change interval then have a used oil analysis done. Blackstone Labs is one such company that can advise you on the health of your oil.

Originally Posted by Michael G.

I use full synthetic Mobil1 also and always wondered looking at many full
synthetic oils prices, is there really a difference between synthetic oils that
sell for $3.50 a quart over oil that sell for over $8.00 a quart?