Can any of the advantages of advanced synthetics be obtained by mixiing.

e.g. say Motorcraft with synalec (RP) or monolec?

 

Sure, you can make your own synthetic blend, not sure I would do that particular one, but if you don't go crazy with the OCI it won't hurt. Guys routinely put a bottle of Synergyn or Redline in an oil change for a good feeling. You probably wont get the full advantage of the synthetic and MC/Conoco oils seem to be plenty fine on their own.

 

From what I read mixing your own blend is not advised, Unless you are a Chemist I would be willing think the oil companies do a good job. Now if your a Chemist with a petrolum background, then please tell me.

 

i see no point in doing it.

 

IMO, as we have no idea how a given lubricant is formulated & how receptive it is of a given additive, or how close it is to the saturation point of any given additive, it just isn't wise to mix lubricants, nor to pour in aftermarket additives, as they may not be compatable with, mix with, or may upset the synergistic balance that exists in the lubricants being toyed with.

 

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You probably will get some benefit and it is possibly more cost effective than buying a syn, but like the guys said, you aren't a chemist.

There is some discussion that mixing oil brands can have some minor negative effects due to incompatibilities in the additive packages. Most oil packages are synergistic, "the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts" . Different additives can work against each other. When you mix brands you are mixing unknown additive packages.

Probably no real damage, but you don't know and none of the oil companies will guarantee the results.

If you are doing this because you are cheap(nothing wrong with that), then I would just buy a good quality dino oil. Many of the new dino oils are very close to syn in capabilities. I have read that Delo, Rotella and Chevron Supreme are excellent dino oils with very near syn performance and I believe they cost less than a blend.

I just use syn and don't worry about it. I am cheap but syn is my religion.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

Those worried about mixing engine oils should not have that much concern, on most manufacturer's bottles it states right on the bottle, "Compatible with All types of motor oil". Where you run into problems is with differents types of lubricants, like mixing GL4 and GL5 gear lubes or using a GL5 where a GL4 is called for. Engine oils are similar enough that there will be no additive clash or fallout, and they are far from saturation points in formulation. Can you beat the chemists in formulation? Not likely. Can you blend a higher percentage syn blend than is found OTC? most certainly, at a higher cost sometimes.

 

Well for those of us who are cheap, one of the best ways to get a deal on oil is on closeouts. Often, these are just a result of marketing or packaging changes, but usually, there's a limited or odd quantity available.

So if I put a couple quarts (@ $2 ea) of 5w30 Pennzoil (Pre-"Platinum") Synthetic, in with my (~$2 ea) 5w30 Motorcraft Synthetic Blend, is it likely to be a plus, a minus, neutral, or indeterminate? I think it's a plus, at least in winter in Chicago.

I guess I would be reluctant to use more than 2 brands and the "synergy" thing does bother me. I wonder if anyone could elaborate or substantiate that.

 

Mixing is fun! Go for it!

 

My wife bought a case of Shell 5W30 (SL) for 99 cents A/R in Schucks. It may have been some package deal since she also got 3 Fram filters.... but they're for her Scion.

 

What happens when 2 different viscosities are used? Does a motor combine the 2 oils to make one grade, or do they remain separate through the whole interval?

 

It'll likely mix, but I'd only do it with the same brand oil, so the VI improvers will likely be compatible.

 

I just have 1 question.WHY? There are Synthetic Blend out there.

 

Stick with the same viscosity 5w30 with 5w30 etc. I would stay with the same brand of oil. 5w30 Mobil 5000 with the last quart of your oil change, 5w30 Mobil 1. This scenario will not harm a thing. The engine has no idea where the dino oil ends, and the quart of synthetic begins. It will mix. It's not going to seperate, like oil and vinegar in your salad. If you need the heavier oil, for a worn or loose engine, then use the thicker oil, with a reduction in your fuel mileage. Even in a worn engine, the thicker oil will use more gasoline. There is no getting around it. Also, if you or anyone, lives in an area of the USA or Canada, with frigid, freezing temps, I feel you must use a quality synthetic oil. Up to 10w30. There is something wrong, if, for the winter, people complain about the added cost of 4-5 quarts of dino oil, to 4-5 quarts of full synthetic, is nearly laughable to me? A one time expense from Novemeber to April? Please. All I am saying is, with my truck, van, or wife's car. At zero degrees outside, I'd want 5 quarts of synthetic oil, in my oil pan, for a cold start in the morning. C'mon now? Dino oil will work, but never anything above 10w30, in the snow belt. Ed