simple oil question
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simple oil question
what is the best engine oil and filter in your opinion that can be purchased at wal mart, tired of paying 60 bucks for a oil change when i can have a full shop on my air force base to use and only cost 2.50 to use there lift and all tools. thanks guys.
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It would help if we knew what kind of engine you had. Considering $60, probably a PSD.
For a PSD, I'd recommend Mobil 1 Truck & SUV 5W40 synthetic. I'm seeing 1MPG improvement right now. Of course, you'll need 3 5-quart jugs, which will cost you $60 for the oil. However, the fuel economy improvement may make it pay for itself.
For the oil filter, if you're not going to order online, you can get Motorcraft filters from Walmart.
For a PSD, I'd recommend Mobil 1 Truck & SUV 5W40 synthetic. I'm seeing 1MPG improvement right now. Of course, you'll need 3 5-quart jugs, which will cost you $60 for the oil. However, the fuel economy improvement may make it pay for itself.
For the oil filter, if you're not going to order online, you can get Motorcraft filters from Walmart.
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From: SC
If it is a PSD, then Rotella 15w 40 and a Motorcraft fuel and oil filter. There is not enough proof for me that synthetic is worth the extra cost. If you feel like paying the extra bucks just to say "I running synthetic", then go for it. My neighbor owns 4 tractor trailer rigs and runs Rotella 15w40 and has more than 500,000 miles or better on each rig. Now that is proof enough for me.
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From: NJ ... the garbage state
should be able to get motorcraft oil at walmart. i would be weary of walmart techs, seen a lot of bad stories on here, but of course i dont trust anyone else unless i have to.
if you dont get at least 500,000 out of a big rig, you lost money, should be able to push towards 750k+ ... so its sort of a bad comparison, but rotella is very good. for synthetics capabilites, look to amsoil. they will go 500,000 before a complete oil change a special filter and oil testing.
if you dont get at least 500,000 out of a big rig, you lost money, should be able to push towards 750k+ ... so its sort of a bad comparison, but rotella is very good. for synthetics capabilites, look to amsoil. they will go 500,000 before a complete oil change a special filter and oil testing.
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From: NJ ... the garbage state
yea, i didnt mean "bad" comparison, just that 500,000 is a lot more common in rigs and tow trucks then pickups, primarily due to milage driven in shorter periods of time (a lot more then 12-15,000 a year)
my brothers old tow rig (international with a 190 hp tri-4 aka 7.3 powertroke) had about 700,000 on it, and they primarily used rotella, and i am sure half the time it didnt get changed on proper interval, so the mileage comparison is accurate to the same motor. heck, that truck might still be running somewhere!!
my brothers old tow rig (international with a 190 hp tri-4 aka 7.3 powertroke) had about 700,000 on it, and they primarily used rotella, and i am sure half the time it didnt get changed on proper interval, so the mileage comparison is accurate to the same motor. heck, that truck might still be running somewhere!!
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Ahh, the synthetic vs. non-syn arguments. Regardless of the additional lubrication properties, I saw a 1MPG increase in fuel mileage (from 13 to 14MPG). I also do 5K oil changes.
Comparison:
5000mi. / 13MPG = 384.6gal * $2.499/gal. = $961.11
5000mi. / 14MPG = 357.1gal * $2.499/gal. = $892.39
$68.72 difference.
The syn oil costs me about $40 more per oil change. So, per oil change period, I save almost $30 and I get a happier engine at cold start and all the lubrication benefits of a synthetic. To me, this just makes sense.
I wouldn't go anywhere near Amsoil. I'm sure I'll stir up a hornet's nest here, but only one Amsoil product, a non-synthetic, is API-certified for PSDs. The synthetics supposedly "meet API certification", but Amsoil doesn't spend the money to have the official certification performed. That's why you don't see the API seal on their bottles.
Comparison:
5000mi. / 13MPG = 384.6gal * $2.499/gal. = $961.11
5000mi. / 14MPG = 357.1gal * $2.499/gal. = $892.39
$68.72 difference.
The syn oil costs me about $40 more per oil change. So, per oil change period, I save almost $30 and I get a happier engine at cold start and all the lubrication benefits of a synthetic. To me, this just makes sense.
I wouldn't go anywhere near Amsoil. I'm sure I'll stir up a hornet's nest here, but only one Amsoil product, a non-synthetic, is API-certified for PSDs. The synthetics supposedly "meet API certification", but Amsoil doesn't spend the money to have the official certification performed. That's why you don't see the API seal on their bottles.
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From: Northern Utah
tvsjr, I agree with your M1 recommedation in combination with the observed 1 mpg improvement and calculations. It makes (dollars &) sense for my 6.0 PSD to use Mobil1 synthetic oil...
Now, factor in the potential difference between 3,000 mile conventional oil change intervals vs 5,000 mile synthetic oil change intervals and the $ savings are even bigger
Now, factor in the potential difference between 3,000 mile conventional oil change intervals vs 5,000 mile synthetic oil change intervals and the $ savings are even bigger
Last edited by utahtom; Aug 22, 2005 at 02:31 PM.
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From: Central WA USA
I've been using Rotella for the past 75K but have recently changed to Chevron Delo 400. Price is same or less than Rotella and I can get it at Costco or Wallyworld. As for filters I use Fleetguard filters, the motorcraft filters just feel thin and cheap, I get them online. I do 5k oil change intervals though the oil analyisis place tells me I could easily go 7k. I'll do that as soon as my warrantee is up. From what I have read Delo 400 now has Moly in its additive package which would help reduce friction, plus from what I can tell, my 7.3 seems to run better with it.
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From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by skipperw
If you are useing Mobil 1. Go to Pep Boys and buy their calendar for $1.00. It has coupons that have Mobil 1, buy 3 and get 3 free. Also other good coupons. I bought 10 calenders. 
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Mobil 1 is no better than any other SAE rated oil for a 3-5 K use.
Think about it. X company sells a 12 inch ruler. Y company sells a 12 inch ruler. X company claims that their inches are better inches. You get more inches with X company. DuH???
Oil is the same. A 5W 20 oil is a 5 W 20 oil whether it is made of ceramic, teflon or bubble gum. That is why there is a 5W 20 rating by SAE. If it was less viscous it would be 1W 3 or some other rating.
Inches are Inches, SAE ratings are SAE ratings.
Think about it. X company sells a 12 inch ruler. Y company sells a 12 inch ruler. X company claims that their inches are better inches. You get more inches with X company. DuH???
Oil is the same. A 5W 20 oil is a 5 W 20 oil whether it is made of ceramic, teflon or bubble gum. That is why there is a 5W 20 rating by SAE. If it was less viscous it would be 1W 3 or some other rating.
Inches are Inches, SAE ratings are SAE ratings.
Last edited by palindromelol; Aug 24, 2005 at 12:19 PM.
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From: NJ ... the garbage state
the thermal breakdown limit (for one example) is definatly very different between synthetics and conventionals, so saying that they are the same is completly inaccurate. The 5w 20 rating is just with respect to their viscosity at temperature - viscosity is simply a measure of resistance to flow, often compared to how "thick or thin" something is. Just because they flow at the same rate doesnt mean they provide the same level of protection or heat capacity.
Now what you may be trying to imply is that so long as it meets SAE ratings its a good oil, and will do the job, that is correct, but it doesnt mean something else cant be better.
also, if oil is oil, how does bubble gum,ceramic, or teflon then become oil?
Now what you may be trying to imply is that so long as it meets SAE ratings its a good oil, and will do the job, that is correct, but it doesnt mean something else cant be better.
also, if oil is oil, how does bubble gum,ceramic, or teflon then become oil?