Questions about oil change

[PoorManQ45]

I am about to do an oil change on a '04 Caviliar(fist oil change). I think the book calls for 10w-30 motor oil. I have a few questions that I can't figure out. This stuff applies to my Q45,also, that's why it's in infiniti section.

I have a few choices of oils.

First of all, should I go with synthetic or dino oil?

Second, what weight should I use? 10w-30, 10w-40, 5w-40, 5w-50, 15w-30, 15w-40, 15w-50, 30w, 40w, or 50w. I am in Florida, so the temperature ranges from 25~100F.

My brand choices are Mobile 1, Supertech, or Pennzoil.In synthetic form, they cost:Mobile 1- $3.38 qtSupertech - $2.87 qtPennzoil - $4.48 qt

If I go with regular oil, they are all under $2 qt.

Is it ok to mix different weights, ie. 3qt 10w30 with 1 qt 5w-50? Would mixing weights cause any problems?

Do you guys have any other suggestions for brands that are under $4 qt?

[szh]

PMQ, did you do a search for posts with Fred's name (palmerwmd) on it? There are a lot of posts on motor oils. Almost all your questions are answered there. Also, in most of the above, the question is way too general (look at your list for oil specs, for example) for a specific answer - there are pros and cons for each one and it would take too long for individual answers.

Z

[Jesda]

A search for "PalmerWMD" and this page http://www.q45.org/oil.html should get you started.

If youre running dino juice, its best to do a clean-up since synthetic oils contain fewer detergents. By clean-up, I mean idling with ATF, a Bilstein or Envirolution machine flush, Seafoam, etc.

I use Mobil 1 5W-40 for its versatility and availability. Mobil 1 10W30 was too light and caused excessive clattering on startup. AMSOIL and Valvoline make some good ones too. Fred's well-written old posts say which is best for what conditions.

-Jesda

[PoorManQ45]

If youre running dino juice, its best to do a clean-up since synthetic oils contain fewer detergents. By clean-up, I mean idling with ATF, a Bilstein or Envirolution machine flush, Seafoam, etc.

Is it neccessary for me to do this on a brand new engine? It only has ~5000 miles on it. I don't think there should much build up, if any. I figure that I may as well switch to synthetic oil.

So, I have decided to use synthetic oil, now I just need to figure out what weight to run. Here is a narrowed down list of my choices:

10w-30, 5w-40, 5w-50, 15w-50

I'm leaning a little bit towards either the 5w-40 or 5w-50. These to weights have a wide range of operating temperatures.

[JoshIsSciFi]

Its all about the 0w-40!!!!!!! Mobil 1 SuperSyn baby! My Q loves it Well... at the moment it loves nothing.... doesn't have the energy to love.... but... yanno... lol

[1992Q45A]

How about 15w-40?

http://www.autosupermart.com/s...4Uddg

[PalmerWMD]

14w-x is too thick for start up in a NA engine, especially outside of summer.

For a small GM engine in moderate climate a 10w-30 is a good grade for winter.

If you wanna spend teh $$ for syn try Castrol Syntec 0w-30 (a thick 30 weight during rujnning but good cold start capablities also).Or Mobil1 0w-40 year around.

If looking for an inexpensive oil the Chevron Supreme 10w-30 will be an oustanding choice in FL winter.

Fred..

[szh]

How about 15w-40?

http://www.autosupermart.com/s...4Uddg

You mean 15W-50, I think ... I have never seen 15W-40. Okay for turbo-charged engines and warmer climates (where it never gets near freezing.)

I prefer Mobil 1 0W-40 as a result - even though I live in the SF Bay Area.

Z
Modified by szhosain at 3:29 PM 10/11/2004

[1992Q45A]

Whoops, you're right SZ

What oil recommend for my ride

31k Miles

Arizona heat

Aggressive driving

Money no object

[PalmerWMD]

Money no object, hard driving in summer heat and absolute best in naturally aspirated engine?

Redline 10w-40 in summerRedline 5w-40 or Mobil1 0w-40 in winter.

Fred..

[1992Q45A]

Thanks, I was thinking redline, but don't seem to hear them mentioned much on this board. Only their Auto transmission fluid is mentioned in high regards.

Redline oil and mobil 1 filter?

[PalmerWMD]

Thanks, I was thinking redline, but don't seem to hear them mentioned much on this board. Only their Auto transmission fluid is mentioned in high regards.

Redline oil and mobil 1 filter?

One reason I never mention it is cuz I only recommend off-the-shelf oils.

To my knowledge Redline 10w-40 is the only premium syn that can supply a spread that far w/o using any VII's.Not too shabby.

How much is it better than M1 0w-40?Hard to tell, if the extra stability will show up, even during harder use and tehrefore is it worth the extra $$?But you did say, money no object and hard driving in hot weather and its hard to find something better.

In a VH45de I limit myself to off-the-shelf and use M1 0-w40 year around in VH45de or the new german Syntec.

Fred..

[1992Q45A]

How about the VQ35 :P

[PoorManQ45]

What do you think about Royal Purple? I've heard that they're supposed to be on par with Redline stuff.

[JT_MONEY_2004]

It only has ~5000 miles on it... I figure that I may as well switch to synthetic oil.

Did anyone raise a brow about switching this engine to synthetic sooo soon. I've been under the impression 10k was the breaking-in mileage before switching over to syn. hmm

[dareo]

15W 40 is a diesel engine formula, i would not recommend running it in any gasolone engine.

Where are you getting Mobil 1 for 3.38 a quart? and a 5w30, 10w30, 0w40 Mobil1 will be quite good in a cavalier, you can pretty much take your pick based on how hard the car will be driven.

[PoorManQ45]

Where are you getting Mobil 1 for $3.38 a quart?

My favorite store. Walmart. They sell 1qt containers for $3.38 a qt. But they sell a 5qt container for ~$20. Who would buy the 5qt container? I guess some people can't add

[PoorManQ45]

Did anyone raise a brow about switching this engine to synthetic sooo soon. I've been under the impression 10k was the breaking-in mileage before switching over to syn. hmm

Here's an article by Road & Track about Breaking in Engine on Synthetic

http://theoildrop.server101.co...00382

[PalmerWMD]

What do you think about Royal Purple? I've heard that they're supposed to be on par with Redline stuff.

I dont know enough about them, their marketing seems more flim flam than AMSOIL and their website doesnt give a lot of info so I generally dont recommend them.

Also I never seen any UOA's (used oil ananlyses) from them.

Fred..

[PalmerWMD]

15W 40 is a diesel engine formula, i would not recommend running it in any gasolone engine.

These days it commonly is but ti used to be a gasiline grade as well, and you can still get some if you look hard enough, actually these days most diesel oils also meet gas specs.

There used to be a Mobil1 15w-40 gas oil.The tightedr spread allowed more stable oils.

Fred..

[Q451990]

My favorite store. Walmart. They sell 1qt containers for $3.38 a qt. But they sell a 5qt container for ~$20. Who would buy the 5qt container? I guess some people can't add

If they're selling it for $3.38/qt, stock up - it's a mistake! M1 quarts are typically about $5/qt, with the 5qt jugs being the better value. I'm planning a trip to the Wally World later today, so I'll see how it's priced in Columbia...

Heath

[szh]

My favorite store. Walmart. They sell 1qt containers for $3.38 a qt. But they sell a 5qt container for ~$20. Who would buy the 5qt container? I guess some people can't add

Not all Walmarts have Mobil 1 (the full synthetic). According to the manager at one that I went to: "only the ones with the service bays tend to keep more oil selections like Mobil 1." Of course, he did not have the service bay at his store, so the selection was more limited: "people coming in to the store are not willing to buy expensive oils." These quotes are not exact, but approximate the wording he used.

Also, the price at another Walmart was $4.99/quart for Mobil 1 0W-40. Are you sure it was labeled at $3.38 at your store? If so, get a bunch of it and enjoy the unexpected price break!

Z

[DAEDALUS]

The local Sam's Club here stocks the 6-qt cases at $23.6x, same as the local Costco. 10W-30 and (I think) 0W-30. I noticed the Vegas Costco has a heavier grade available too.

[szh]

Cool! I will have to check out the local Costco. I did not know they stocked Mobil 1. Of course, I am looking for 0W-40, so that may be the real issue!

Z

[QE86]

Also, the price at another Walmart was $4.99/quart for Mobil 1 0W-40. Are you sure it was labeled at $3.38 at your store? If so, get a bunch of it and enjoy the unexpected price break!

Z

$4.99 a qt in Walmart??

I am not 100% positive about this but the price I used to buy from Walmart is $4.xx (20 or 30) but not $4.99 for sure

[szh]

$4.99 a qt in Walmart??

I am not 100% positive about this but the price I used to buy from Walmart is $4.xx (20 or 30) but not $4.99 for sure

Hmmm ... I am pretty sure that I saw it for that amount at one of the Walmart stores I went to. I might be misremembering though ... in any case, for sure it was not $3.38!

Z

[JoshIsSciFi]

I had to buy my Mobil1 0w-40 at Advance, because even though wally world is God's gift to WV, they didn't have it, had plenty of the others, but not 0w-40. So I bought the 6-qt box of it and an extra, with Purolator PureOne filter, all for $40....

[AZhitman]

Wasn't Mobil 1 you saw for $3.88. Perhaps Mobil dnio juice.

I have a better idea: Take an OEM or Mobil1 filter, and go get your six and a half quarts of Mobil 1 ($35 if purchased seperately) PLUS the labor PLUS all other fluids checked for ONLY $30 at WallyWorld while you enjoy a hot dog and a soda.

Best-kept maintenance money-saver in town. So much so that I am on a strict 3K mile oil change interval with all 3 of our cars.

[DAEDALUS]

The local Sam's Club here stocks the 6-qt cases at $23.6x, same as the local Costco. 10W-30 and (I think) 0W-30. I noticed the Vegas Costco has a heavier grade available too.

Scratch that. Went by Costco today. Prices today are $23.33 for the 5W-30 and $23.99 for the 10W-30. 0W-40 will be an unlikely find in a bay area Costco!

[Q451990]

Checked at Wal-Mart while I was there for a new set of Silverstars (Ouch) and the M1 was something like $4.30/qt (maybe $4.28?)... The 5Qt Jug was $19.xx so a small savings.

I'll have to check Sams to see if they have anything...

Heath