First off, I know you are not a proponent of synthetic oils, but I also know you are well versed on the topic of oil.

Here is the situation. To put this into a context, I got my first medium size door ding today-- I am realizing the " practicality" of my truck. I use it for transportation etc. I am not a race car driver, and I am not flying an airplane so why am I running an $7-a-quart oil (Redline)???

Here is my question-- Is there any real benefit in spending the extra $3-per-quart??? I could buy Mobile 1 synthetic for over $3 less.

My desire is to switch back to the Fl-820S and Mobile 1 Synthetic oil ( 5,000 mi. change intrvl.). Will this adversly affect my rate of engine wear?

Thanks for your time and help!

Matt.

 

Oil is a subject that you will get as many opinions as people you talk to. When my dad had his shop, we would see vehicles coming in that had well over 100,000 miles on it and the owner was very negligent on his oil changes, but had very few problems. On the other hand, we would see the complete opposite owner, that would come in, who used synthetic oil and was very maticulous about the care of his vehicle, but continued to have problems and even need engine work done at a premature stage. So the bootm line is, who can figue?

As for choices of oil, it's all subjective between synthetics and dino oil. There have been many success stories for each. My contention for staying with conventional oil, is that the majority of people use this type of oil, and their success rates are very high as far as engine problems and excess wear. If synthetic oil makes a person more comfortable and lets them sleep better at night, then it may be well worth it.

 

IMHO, you should be fine. Redline and the other more exoctic synthetics can get very expensive and have a great application in high stress applications (racing), but you will be just fine with Mobil 1, if synthetics are your choice of oils. The wear difference, if any, should be negligible considering all things being equal.

 

Navi Man, I couldn't agree more with you. I think your assessment of the oil question is very accurate. I have chosen to use Mobil one in my truck but before I always used dino. I am a firm believer that clean fluids in a vehicle are a good thing but like you said in your post, I know people who never change oil and their vehicle is fine. Who can figure I do think that not doing routine maintenance will evenually catch up with you and I have much more peace of mind knowing everthing has been maintained. I also can't make a good arguement against dino oil, like you I feel whatever you feel comfortable with is fine.
Just wanted to let you know that I agree with you on this subject.

 

Just to further delay any clarity, I heard that Chrevron puts out a great rhinocerous oil. I know of several people who run only Chevron products ( techron, motor oil, tranny, etc.). Any imput?

 

Coincindentally I know a lot about Chevron. I am a sales rep for a large Chevron distributor. The base oil that is produced by Chevron comes from their Richmond facility. Several years ago they had a fire that forced them to rebuild and allowed them to bring forth new technology to refining oil. Chevron’s three-step, all-hydroprocessing scheme includes 1) ISOCRACKING (or Hydrotreating if processing solvent extracted raffinates) to increase VI 2) ISODEWAXING to reduce pour point 3) Hydrofinishing to improve stability and color. ISOCRACKING is Chevron’s proprietary hydrocracking process.

Ever here of Pennzoil Pure Base? I'm sure you have. A few years ago, Chevron started licensing the technology to other lubricant companies, with Pennzoil being one of them. Chevron has always had a premium product, and their Delo 400 15w-40 is one of the top performing heavy duty diesel engine oils on the market. Chevron has heavily promoted and marketed this oil, but has never put forth much of an effort into marketing their PCMO (Passenger Car Motor Oil) line of products. It's been one of the best kept secrets. I've been using Chevron Supreme motor oils for years and have never had an oil related problem and have had good life out of any of my engines.

For any one that is interested, I have posted a link below that discusses base oils and Chevron.

http://www.chevron.com/search.idq

 

Again, thanks for your time. I think I'll go with the mobile 1. I may go back to the 10w-30 I was using before. I have 15,000 mi. on my truck. What oil filter do you use? Part of my concern is oil breakdown toward the end of the change period. With Redline I have assurance from the company that the stuff will not break down ( for up to 10,000 mi. or 1 year). If I am going to Mobile 1 should I change the oil at 3,000 mi. or 5,000 mi.? My father runs his truck w/Mobile 1 and changes every 5,000 mi.

What do you think?

any imput appreciated.

 

I would definitely go to 5,000 mile drain intervals if I were using a synthetic, otherwise to me, it would be a waste of money. Another alternative would be to use Chevron Supreme motor oil and do lube oil analysis on each oil drain. A local Chevron distributor could hook you up with the program and should probably run about $10.00 to $15.00 a sample, which is about the cost difference between Chevron Supreme and Mobil 1 per oil change. Oil analysis will tell you much more about your engine and any wear that is happening. Just something to think about.

As for oil filters, my preffered choice is either the Purolator Pure 1 Premium Plus or the Motorcraft filter. There have been a few independent tests on some forums and these two always seem to be around the top.

The important thing is to feel comfortable with your choice as their really isn't any bad choices. Some just may be a little better than others. My feeling is, by sticking with quality, it gives you a little extra cushion if you drive in a more severe situation than usual or extend your drain interval more than usual.

 

I have decided to go with the Motorcraft filter and Mobile 1 10w30 Synthetic. I have to admit spending $7.75 per quart is a little steep for a street truck. If I had a $ 10,000. engine I might entertain the idea.
My friend's father runs Chevron Supreme "Rhino." motor oil in his Ford and has had no problems. I think his odometer reads around 90,000 miles.
I just want to have the added security of a synthetic, and the longer drain interaval.
What do you think about changing oil every 3 months? Should I worry about this if I don't exceed the 5,000 mi. (esp. with synthetic)?
Thanks,

Matt.

 

I prefer to do it by mileage, but if you consistently drive about the same miles every month and it's pretty close to 5,000 miles for 3 months, then doing it every three months would be fine. Just make sure you check your oil level on a consistent basis.

 

Cool, Thanks again for the advice!!!

 

Nice to know where you are coming from.

Chevron make some of the best conventional base stocks out there. Anyone who doesn't use a synthetic should probably take a hard look at Chevron Supreme.

Anyhow. I didn't think you were just the average motorist!!!

 

Redline is a higher performance oil, it has a higher priced base stock and better additives. I think I read somewhere that Redline is recommended for 15,000 mile drain intervals. If that is the case and you follow that, the redline is actually cheaper than mobil 1.

As far as engine wear.

If you changed both at the same interval, say 5,000 miles I doubt that you would see much engine wear. So if you are dead set on a 5,000 mile interval Go with the mobil 1.

If you would like to extend your interval out further go with the Redline.

In all actuality. I would think to much about running Mobil 1 10,000 miles. As long as its done in a fairly short amount of time. Say 8 months or less.

Last thing, by using a synthetic in general you have moved your high and low temperature engine protection up tremendously. There really is no comparison between synthetic and conventional.

 

cool, That is what I wanted to do ( increase high and low temp range). Sometimes when I am in a foul mood I hit the accelerator a little too hard. It's nice knowing that the oil I am using can compensate for the extra stress. I guess I'm rationalizing my abuse, saying it's okay to let her rip as long as I have a quality oil in the engine. In reality, I know that if I push the engine it will wear at a faster rate. My other motivation for using Redline products is that I want my truck to last as long a possible. I am in a long term relationship with my wheels. I guess, money aside, that redline is the better of the two synthetics, but the real question is: Is it worth it at 5,000 mi. intervals? Mobile
is a great oil, too.

Too may decisions, is the difference worth it in the long run???