Generic oil ??
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 63
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Generic oil ??
This has probably already been asked, but.... Who makes the auto part's store's oil, such as O'Reilley, Napa and so on, I have a 98 ranger that i have alway's used Penzoil 5w30 in, but with the rising price of oil, ( 3.09 a quart the last time i did an oil change ) I am considering changing brand's. Does anyone have any thought's on this subject ?? Thank's
Billy
Billy
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 819
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From: Northern Maine
I too use Penzoil and agree that it is very costly,(even at Walmart) but I still consider regular oil changes with quality oil to be the most cost effective maintenance that one can do. I try cut costs by avoiding unnecessary driving by consolidating trips, drive at reasonable speeds and keep my Ranger tuned up to increase gas mileage but I don't feel that cutting costs by swapping to a cheaper brand of oil is really saving money in the long run.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Lynchburg, VA
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Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
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From: on da beach
Originally Posted by Ford_Six
I run mostly Supertech oil, or Castrol.
Lots of generic oil is made by the parent company of Valvoline, Ashland Oil.
Lots of generic oil is made by the parent company of Valvoline, Ashland Oil.
I use Castrol in all my trucks except the 07 Explorer = Motorcraft senblend from Walmart and my 88 Mazda gets Cheap 30 weight from Checker, but I may switch to a cheap Walmart brand on next change - The OEM filter is 11.00 - OUCH!
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 133
Likes: 1
From: Lake Elmo, Minnesota
Price of motor oil
Rather than thinking that an expensive motor oil is a better motor oil, I read the fine print on the container to verify that the oil's specifications satisfy my engine's requirements. The American Petrolium Institute (API) has developed standards/specifications that must be met or exceded by motor oil manufacturers.
Check the "S" designations, I.E.,...SF, SG, SJ, SL....etc., to see if you're getting something in the costly oil that you are not getting in the less expensive oil.
I have yet to find any appreciative value in an expensive motor oil.
Check the "S" designations, I.E.,...SF, SG, SJ, SL....etc., to see if you're getting something in the costly oil that you are not getting in the less expensive oil.
I have yet to find any appreciative value in an expensive motor oil.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 566
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Originally Posted by BuffmanLT1
Supertech from walmart is a decent oil. just watch for oil to go on sale. I've gotten mobil clean 5000 before for $8.99. 5 quarts and an STP filter. 
As for the Wally World brand oil, Ive heard its pretty good stuff.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 367
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Originally Posted by rgp
Rather than thinking that an expensive motor oil is a better motor oil, I read the fine print on the container to verify that the oil's specifications satisfy my engine's requirements. The American Petrolium Institute (API) has developed standards/specifications that must be met or exceded by motor oil manufacturers.
Check the "S" designations, I.E.,...SF, SG, SJ, SL....etc., to see if you're getting something in the costly oil that you are not getting in the less expensive oil.
I have yet to find any appreciative value in an expensive motor oil.
Check the "S" designations, I.E.,...SF, SG, SJ, SL....etc., to see if you're getting something in the costly oil that you are not getting in the less expensive oil.
I have yet to find any appreciative value in an expensive motor oil.
IF you change your oil every 3000 miles, no real need to buy any "expensive" motor oil. But for people who beat on their cars, want Extended OCIs, or want the lowest wear possible is where the more expensive oils come into play.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,147
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I run mobil 1, it was allready high, so price isn't an issue. The oil is the life's blood of a truck, not the place to srimp. I'm a big beliver in synthetic fluids, less heat and wear, better mpg and they don't have to be changed as often.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 133
Likes: 1
From: Lake Elmo, Minnesota
Contaminated motor oil
My understanding of motor oil is that it does not wear out. As long as it includes the appropriate API certs it suffices. We change our motor oil because it gets contaminated. As soon as an engine is put into service, moving parts that are seperated by a film of oil shed microscopic sized particles that become suspended in the oil. Carbon contaminants from the combustion chamber also end up suspended in the oil. Sulfids, H2O, and hydrocarbons (acids) also end up suspended in the oil. None of these resident suspensions are of any value to an internal combustion engine. That is why we need to change the oil at specific periods. The frequency of oil changes, time or miles, is a function of how we operate our engines. The API certs are of more value to a oil purchase decision than the price of the oil.