You guys have any oil preferences? 

by "AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
Published 03/25/2017 at 21:57

Tags: Mods ; Mobil1 ; Miata
STARS: 0

I switched from the mobil 1 5w-30 full synthetic I’ve used since buying the car to 0w-40 after a very skilled autox driver recommended it to get rid of my lifter tick. Did the trick, so I’m sticking with it. Earlier today I was looking on forums and saw people bashing Mobil, and proclaiming Castrol as “the oil” all other oils look up to. FWIW, this was on a BMW forum. Then on a Corvette forum, they were calling out Castrol as junk. Then there was a rant against royal purple, and finally a dude proclaiming 5w-20 as the only oil that he’s ever used in 40 years, so it’s good enough for anybody by God! Somehow I stumbled upon a Polaris slingshot forum, where they were all using 0w-50 (the price was painful) or 5w-50 and changing their oil like every 600 miles.... Anyways.... Anyone have some input? Whether it’s brands, weight, whatever. Don’t care if it’s strictly anecdotal, or backed by years of research. Oil is on the mind!

Replies (56)

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
03/25/2017 at 22:02, STARS: 3

I use mobile 1 in the weight recommended by the auto manufacturer and have never had any issues.

"wafflesnfalafel" (wafflesnfalafel1)
03/25/2017 at 22:03, STARS: 0

Right now I’m sold on the generic NAPA full synth. My little Mazda loves it - noticeable difference over dinosaur juice. Using stock/recommended 5-20. Putting the same in my wife’s subie at stock/recommended 0-20. And if you pick it up on sale you can get it for less than $4 a quart.

"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
03/25/2017 at 22:04, STARS: 0

as long as it has a motorcycle rating on it and its 10-w40, I’m fine with it.

the BMW does get synthetic bike oil though.

"benjrblant" (benjblant)
03/25/2017 at 22:04, STARS: 2

You should read Bob is the Oil Guy. More info on oils than you could ever want to know.

"cluelessk" (cluelessk)
03/25/2017 at 22:04, STARS: 1

If it meets gm4718m spec I run it.

Pick up whatever synthetic that’s on sale at the time.

"Clown Shoe Pilot" (csp)
03/25/2017 at 22:04, STARS: 1

I’m a fan of Mobil 1 if it’s in the right viscosity for the car I’m working on. For my M Coupe (which needs 10w60) I use Liqui-Moly.

"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
03/25/2017 at 22:06, STARS: 1

I’m a big fan of Liqui-Moly. It’s what we used at the speed shop I used to work at and I saw it keep a lot of high performance and high mileage cars headache free.

"My X-type is too a real Jaguar" (TomSlick)
03/25/2017 at 22:06, STARS: 1

When I had my Saturn it was 30 weight and Motor Honey.

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
03/25/2017 at 22:08, STARS: 1

Didn’t seem to work as well for me, but I drive pretty aggressively about 50% of the time, and do daily donuts/drifting in an abandoned warehouse right under the fuel cutoff in first and second so.... Oh and 300k miles on the engine

"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
03/25/2017 at 22:09, STARS: 1

Mobil 1 5w-30 in the 5th gen. The other two Preludes get high mileage oil because their engines are older and slower.

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
03/25/2017 at 22:10, STARS: 0

Hmm, I’ll keep that in mind. I always seem to snag the mobil1 0w40 on sale for about $5 per quart, but saving is saving. More money for go fast parts!

"aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe" (emaxxbl)
03/25/2017 at 22:11, STARS: 1

I use valvoline 20-50 in both of my cars because they’re old and valvoline has the highest ZDDP oils I can buy locally.

"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
03/25/2017 at 22:12, STARS: 1

I use synthetic blend Valvoline “MaxLife” in whatever weight the car calls for. (Currently, that happens to be 5W-30 in both vehicles.)

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
03/25/2017 at 22:13, STARS: 0

I know next to nothing about bikes, but I’m thinking about picking up a cheap ujm (or whatever the Japanese universal bike thing is called) or scooter when I turbo/engine swap the yata. What’s a general oil change interval like?

"404 - User No Longer Available" (toni-cipriani)
03/25/2017 at 22:14, STARS: 1

Whatever is on sale that meets the spec and is synthetic.

I’m stocked up on Pennzoil Platinum 5W30 for Kristin (GM 6094M), Castrol Edge 0W40 A3/B3 for Valka (BMW LL-01). Pennzoil stuff was dirt cheap, $18/5L after rebates.

"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
03/25/2017 at 22:17, STARS: 1

BMW/ MINI recommend castrol in their manual. It probably is due to some business arrangement. Hence, I buy castrol.

Anyone who sponsors racing is good in my book. If you care about serving high performance than you care about quality IMO.

When I finally go buy oil for the trans am I am going to see if I can’t find amsoil anywhere, since they make oil specifically for classic cars.

"415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)" (415s30)
03/25/2017 at 22:19, STARS: 0

I do use full synthetic in my 2006 Honda, I work so much I need the longer intervals, but I think it warms up faster in the winter too. I run Mobile 1 in the Z, Delo in the diesel.

"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
03/25/2017 at 22:20, STARS: 3

I do mine every 3-4K miles.

the most important thing is to USE BIKE OIL.

car oils and bike vary WILDLY in the additives that they use. almost all car oils have friction modifiers that help reduce friction. in 99% of bikes, because the clutch is oil cooled, this will ruin your clutch plates and you’ll be replacing them every other oil change (not that its particularly hard to do, but a set of clutch plates is ~$150)

so use the right oil

"CAR_IS_MI" (car-is-mi)
03/25/2017 at 22:21, STARS: 1

5W-20

Kidding

10W-30

"e36Jeff now drives a ZHP" (e36jeff)
03/25/2017 at 22:21, STARS: 1

I use the exact oil you are holding in your photo. It used to meet BMW’s LL-01 certification, but I just found out today it no longer meets the certification.

The main reason I use it is that it meets the requirements and is pretty inexpensive, which is important since I do 120 miles/day and need frequent oil changes. Before I was running through oil like crazy I used Motul 8100 Xcess, which is an ester-base oil that also carries LL-01 certification(and is 5W-40). From what I understand, ester-based oils do a little better job of ‘sticking’ to the engines internals after engine shutdown and cut down a little bit on wear and tear from startups, but it costs me $80+ for each oil change. If I ever manage to cut down on my mileage, I’ll go back to Motul.

"Captain of the Enterprise" (justanotherdayinparadise)
03/25/2017 at 22:22, STARS: 1

I usually run Mobil 1 full synthetic with the manufacturer spec oil weight on my Corolla. Its what we used when I was on our FSAE team and my research showed it was pretty good. I used penzoil from natural gas one time because it was on sale and didn’t notice a difference but that was on my Crown Vic.

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
03/25/2017 at 22:23, STARS: 2

I use Shell Rotella T6. Technically it’s considered diesel oil but a lot of folks with BMWs like mine get good results from it, and by results I mean they sent samples into a lab for testing and the lab said it looked really good.

"gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut)
03/25/2017 at 22:24, STARS: 0

Mobil 1 or Penn synthetic in DD. I stick with whatever the grade in the manual says

brad Penn in 914 for the higher zinc for the flat tappet valves.

"unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins)" (unclevanos)
03/25/2017 at 22:24, STARS: 1

The BMW gets 15w40 rotella conventional. Sucks in the 15F weather I used to get but prevents noisy lifters and is the recommended forum oil for the m60/m62. Great for the high temps that engine produces. The wrangler gets any 10w30 conventional I can find for cheap.

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
03/25/2017 at 22:25, STARS: 0

When I had the M3 it got Mobil 1 Synthetic 5W-30 always, Mobil 1 because BMW recommended it and 5W-30 because BMW didn’t really specify a weight to use so I went with that after some research.

The S10 gets Castrol Edge Syntec 5W-30 because Castrol is what the pumps at work have and the cap and manual say 5W-30.

"Alfalfa" (alfalfa-romeo)
03/25/2017 at 22:28, STARS: 1

I feel like some people are much too invested in their oil. I say if it’s working well in your car, stick with it. I use O’Reilly store brand in our Hyundai. Castrol in the Volvo.

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
03/25/2017 at 22:29, STARS: 0

I’m pretty nice to my car only rev it out once a month or so.

"Decay buys too many beaters" (decay)
03/25/2017 at 22:36, STARS: 2

Rotella t6 done

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
03/25/2017 at 22:37, STARS: 0

Huh, I always thought BMW’s performance line-up took super pricey oils like 5w-60, etc.

"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
03/25/2017 at 22:38, STARS: 0

Penrite 20w-60

"TheD0k_2many toys 2little time" (thed0ck)
03/25/2017 at 22:38, STARS: 0

powerstroke gets rotella

miata gets conventional quaker state changed every 3k

rx7 dunno. prob shaffers cause thats what we run at the shop

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
03/25/2017 at 22:39, STARS: 0

Apparently it’s used by a lot of Miata guys too... Might just try that and save a few bucks next time

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
03/25/2017 at 22:40, STARS: 2

7w-15

"Orange Exige" (OrangeExige)
03/25/2017 at 22:41, STARS: 0

I used Rotella on my motorcycle... I’ve never heard it used on non-diesels before now though...

"Orange Exige" (OrangeExige)
03/25/2017 at 22:41, STARS: 0

I used Rotella on my motorcycle... I’ve never heard it used on non-diesels before now though...

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
03/25/2017 at 22:41, STARS: 0

I’ve heard a lot of praise over on Miata.net and miataroadster

"Orange Exige" (OrangeExige)
03/25/2017 at 22:43, STARS: 1

I think every year would be a pretty safe standard. Unless you do a TON of riding, change the oil at the beginning of riding season, then ride, then put it in storage, then change the oil at the start of next season right out of storage.

I didn’t ride for super long, but that was the strategy I used and would have continued using.

"Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To" (murdersofa)
03/25/2017 at 22:43, STARS: 0

Rotella t6. End all be all for me.

"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
03/25/2017 at 22:46, STARS: 1

I use Valvoline. Because my dad used it and how can you even tell differences in oil performance? Oil analysis just tells you the state of the engine. IMO frequent oil changes are more important than the oil itself.

I don’t use generic brands. I’m sure they’re fine, but I’ll pay a few bucks more for the extra additives. But if it came to cheap oil regularly or fancy oil stretched out. I’d choose the cheap oil.

"Matt Brown" (superfastmatt)
03/25/2017 at 22:47, STARS: 1

I found an engineering paper a while back that had actual testing and data. I don’t remember the specifics, but the basic takeaway was that any synthetic was much better than any conventional, and within those categories they were about the same in terms of protecting against wear and friction.

That said, auto manufacturers do all their testing with their recommended fluids, so I’d stick with that unless you have another reason.

Also, a while back I switched to 0-w40 in my minivan for the same reason as you, and it also got rid of the lifter noise, so that seems like a valid reason!

"Orange Exige" (OrangeExige)
03/25/2017 at 22:50, STARS: 0

I used 0W-40 Castrol (Castrol is recommended by my plastic intercooler cover!) twice when I got my Mini (higher mileage) then went back to the recommended 0W-30 weight when Pennzoil started their synthetic rebates. Just did my oil last week and put in 0W-30 high mileage (Pennzoil again) and will probably continue that way so long as they continue their ridiculous(ly good) rebates. Hopefully the high mileage oil will help the oil leaks a bit so I’ll keep my eye on that.

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
03/25/2017 at 22:51, STARS: 1

Hmm. 3rd Miata owner to recommend the diesel oil. Might try it in a few thousand miles

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
03/25/2017 at 22:52, STARS: 0

Newer stuff does, I had an E36 M3 (or the gussied up 328i as half the internet call it) and it never called for any unicorn oil nor did anyone on the forums outside of a couple people say to run it.

"Decay buys too many beaters" (decay)
03/25/2017 at 23:02, STARS: 0

I use it in everything that needs 40 weight. All the bikes, the Miata,and the E39.

"WRXasaurus" (wrxasaurus)
03/25/2017 at 23:42, STARS: 0

It’s also a top suggestion for WRX, most 4 wheelers and utvs, and pretty much everything. It has great wear properties.

"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
03/25/2017 at 23:54, STARS: 0

I used Pennzoil Ultra Platinum (5w-30) last, I got it because it was on sale for 30% off.

"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
03/26/2017 at 00:07, STARS: 0

I use the recommended BMW stuff in my wife’s car because warranty and Rotella T6 in everything else from my Jeep to my ‘66 GMC.

"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
03/26/2017 at 00:08, STARS: 0

I first heard about it when I had an SV650. Now I use it in everything but my BMW because it is still under warranty.

"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
03/26/2017 at 00:22, STARS: 1

I’ve used Rotella T6 in all my bikes. You want to look for the JASO MA cert on any oil you pit in an old Japanese bike. Newer bikes should have the JASO MA2 or JASO MB for bikes that don’t mix engine and tranny oil. I do changes every 2k miles on old air cooled bikes, especially if I ring them out. Honda recommends them every 1,500 miles for the old 450.

"Amoore100" (amoore100)
03/26/2017 at 01:14, STARS: 0

Whatever the recommended rating is that’s sold at Costco. 5W-30 for the Volvos (Chevron, I think it is?) and 5W-20 for the Honda (Mobile Synthetic since it gets driven hard and drinks oil like a pig.)

"Frenchlicker" (frenchlicker)
03/26/2017 at 01:32, STARS: 0

I learned on forums that Jeep XJ’s don’t like pennzoil and they appear to like diesel oil when they have high miles.

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
03/26/2017 at 09:01, STARS: 1

It’s popular among the turbo I6 BMW crowd.

"Whistler" (whist13r)
03/26/2017 at 10:02, STARS: 1

Red Line - pick your flavor. Group V for the win, without question. I personally run 10w60 in 2 vehicles and 0w40 and 10w40 in the other 2. Using 8k change interval with filter replacements every 4k.

"AM3R, lost another burner" (am3r17)
03/26/2017 at 15:46, STARS: 0

Did you notice any changes after swapping to rotella?

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
03/26/2017 at 16:14, STARS: 0

My go-to for transmission and differential fluid, might have to try em for engine oil too

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
03/26/2017 at 17:10, STARS: 0

My motor is new as of last summer and I had it filled with Rotella from the start, so can’t really say.