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Old Feb 14, 2015 | 09:04 AM
  #1  
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Mixing Oils

Sorry if this has been covered but a search didn't pull up anything.

I'm picking up my 99 F250 in about 24 hours and to prep for the trip I bought a gallon of T5 15w 40 Rotella. The catch is that I have no idea what oil is currently in her. Will I mess things up by putting Rotella in with say, Valvoline or some non synthetic currently in there? Just topping it off to get her home.
I'd hate to mix the two and create some molasses chain reaction lol.

Should I pick up some no-name diesel oil instead? Temps will be 65F to about 20F along the trip.


Thanks in advance.
 
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Old Feb 14, 2015 | 09:16 AM
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your fine with any oil meeting your engines specs.just change out to your favorite brand when you get a chance.
 
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Old Feb 14, 2015 | 12:43 PM
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Agreed.
All oils are for the most part "compatable".
Here is the answer to that same question from Amsoil's web site.
Yes. AMSOIL synthetic motor oils are compatible with other conventional and synthetic motor oils. Mixing AMSOIL motor oils with other oils, however, will shorten the oil’s life expectancy and reduce the performance benefits. AMSOIL does not support extended drain intervals where oils have been mixed. Mixing other oils with AMSOIL motor oils may also void the AMSOIL limited warranty.
 
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Old Feb 14, 2015 | 03:08 PM
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spamsoil makes all kinds of outrageous claims, and just about all of them are false.
mixing synthetic with regular oil will not hurt anything for short term usage, you can even buy a synthetic blend of half synthetic and half regular oil. .
 
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Old Feb 14, 2015 | 06:36 PM
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Thanks guys. That's what I was hoping for.

(gulp) here goes nothing! I'll let you all know how it goes (with plenty of pictures) on Monday night or Tuesday!
 
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Old Feb 14, 2015 | 10:09 PM
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That's what I said.
I don't see what in Amsoil's answer is outrageous or false. You will get the same answer from any oil company you ask.
Since some folks seem to have a problem with Amsoil, here is the answer from CITGO.
Myth: You can’t mix brands of motor oil.
Fact: Mixing brands is not the best practice because the additive systems in each may be different and when mixed may not function as efficiently as desired. However, no serious problems will occur if you must add a different brand of equivalent quality between oil changes.
 

Last edited by HD Rider; Feb 14, 2015 at 10:33 PM. Reason: Addition information
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Old Feb 15, 2015 | 07:19 AM
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Until you change the oil a bunch of times with the same oil, it's going to be mixed. Between the HPOP, oil cooler and heads, there's the better part of a gallon still in the motor after the pan has been drained. If oils really couldn't be mixed, you could never change brands without flushing the oil system.

OP, you're fine. Run it, and enjoy the drive home.

Mark
 
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Old Feb 15, 2015 | 09:44 AM
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In general, follow SAE info, I am not a brand guy.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2015 | 09:45 AM
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It typically takes 3 complete oil changes to "effectively" accomplish a switch-over from one brand, type, or viscosity range to another. Even then, there will still be a slight residual of the oil from the "original" brand, type, or viscosity range.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2015 | 05:36 PM
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Originally Posted by tjc transport
spamsoil makes all kinds of outrageous claims, and just about all of them are false.
mixing synthetic with regular oil will not hurt anything for short term usage, you can even buy a synthetic blend of half synthetic and half regular oil. .
Due to your statement, I read about Amsoil. They do publish their results.

I am curious as to why nobody challenges their claims if "just about all of them are false"? Is it due to the cost of running the tests to refute their results and thus the claims? If not this, then what else could there be?

Are you or is anyone on this forum familiar with any lawsuits for false claims or damaged equipment due to the extended drain intervals?
 
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Old Feb 16, 2015 | 05:41 PM
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amsoil just recently started offering samples of SOME of their products for testing and certification.
a lot of their products say they "meet industry requirements" or something like that.
but it is amsoil that says that, not the oil industry.
i do not trust any company that has a "trust us, we will never steer you wrong" mentality.

i knew a car dealer that drank the amsoil koolade for years.
he finally got wise and walked away from them, not not before he had to put 3 engines in his own personal car that he bought new, and lost 3 engines due to poor oil quality within 60,000 moles.
two with spun bearings, and the last one lost a cam due to the bad oil.
the first engine was replaced under warranty, the other two were on his dime when they tested the oil and it did not meet specifications.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2015 | 06:00 PM
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Sounds like a 2500 I had that never had Amsoil in it. Did the guy put the correct oil in it? Seems like he could have cashed in on their limited warranty...or hired an attorney.

Their stuff is expensive and I don't see them advertised much.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2015 | 09:44 PM
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I have been using Amsoil since 1984. The engine in my 79 Chevy finally wore out last year but I have no idea how many miles were on it because the odometer wore out 12 years ago. My lawn mower (also on Amsoil) is also over twenty years old and still cutting the grass just fine. My two Harleys with modified engines are both high mileage bikes with no problems.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2015 | 11:24 PM
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Just a quick update - Me and the kiddo made it back fine and dandy. The truck only drank 1/2 gallon of Rotella 15w40 the entire 15ish hour trip @ 60-65 MPH. Brake fluid, well that's another story.
 
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Old Feb 17, 2015 | 06:18 AM
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Super! Happy to know the trip was mostly uneventful. Now the fun begins.....
 
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