Which type of engine oil is best?

[digital rules]

I use & recommend Mobil 1. Great bang for the buck, especially in the 5 quart jug.

Anyone remember this commercial from the 80's?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beyNfMAQRlA

[cowmeat]

I've done some research and I agree with that. Definitely avoid Royal Purple, I remember it doing very poorly on a couple particular tests. Here's a white paper that might be way TMI, but interesting:
AMSOIL Performance Testing Archives

Amsoil was the only one that did very well on every test.

I can only hope the motor oil scores as high as the gear oil! I actually read through the entire 24 pages. I'm going to stick with Amsoil in mine.

[SilverCrown9701]

The only thing that concerns me is if synthetic oil is too thin and would set off the oil pressure warning light. I don't know if synthetic oil would leak...?

[RiceCake]

Originally Posted by SilverCrown9701

The only thing that concerns me is if synthetic oil is too thin and would set off the oil pressure warning light. I don't know if synthetic oil would leak...?

0W-30, 5W-30, 10W-40, 15W-40, 20W-50, these are the weights of the oil.

In other words a synthetic 5W-30 and a conventional 5W-30 are the same weight of oil.

The only thing is, comparatively, a 0W-30 for instance is thinner when cold then a 5W-30, and both are thinner when cold then a 10W-30.

All three oils are perfectly thick enough at operating temperature and will not leak, burn, or anything more then one another.


You're falling into that trap that seems to be perpetuated by bad grandfatherly logic that somehow a synthetic causes leaks. Trust me with engine oil there's a lot of ignorance on the facts of things.

[ME_Andy]

I've decided to make Castrol Magnatec my new oil of choice. Its main selling point is that it clings to metal after the engine shuts down, so it protects the car better on startup. And we all know that >50% of wear occurs on startup. Plus, it's cheap! for a full synthetic. $5/qt from Amazon plus free shipping.

I do wonder if the start-up protection is just a marketing line and if there's any truth to it. However, there are some reviews here that talk about it climbing the dipstick in a unique way. So maybe there's something to it.

Castrol Magnatec Reviews - ProductReview.com.au

I know it's decent, at least, because it's Dexos certified. That means it can be used in any GM engine, including turbo'd and supercharged Vette engines. And the FAQ:

Frequently asked questions about Castrol Magnatec | Castrol Magnatec

Eventually I'll get a used oil analysis done, and then I'll know for sure.

[Xist]

They magnetized oil?

They contracted that out to unicorns, right?

[markweatherill]

Originally Posted by ME_Andy

And we all know that >50% of wear occurs on startup.

I read somewhere that this refers not only to frictional wear due to lack of lubrication, but to acidic blowby etc from cold starting. But every oil and oil additive maker quotes this as something their product cures.

Oh, and doesn't all oil cling to metal to some degree?

[oldtamiyaphile]

Originally Posted by Xist

They magnetized oil?

They contracted that out to unicorns, right?

It's no corral candidate. I use it in my very seldom driven Jeep and even after sitting for a month there's no tappet noise on start up. Previously it was really noisy on start up even if it only stood for a week.

I don't think they claim their oil is magnetic, they claim 'molecular bonds' or something. At any rate, it works for me

[user removed]

My grandfather was a state trooper during prohibition, after having an oil change done on his 39 Ford police car, they forgot to put in any oil and apparently he forgot to check the gauge. It took 40 miles for the engine to lock up.

On ancient tech oil

On the residue that was left

On a V8 engine that only had 3 main bearings (current ones have 5)

regards
mech

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

My grandfather was a state trooper during prohibition, after having an oil change done on his 39 Ford police car, they forgot to put in any oil and apparently he forgot to check the gauge. It took 40 miles for the engine to lock up.

On ancient tech oil

On the residue that was left

On a V8 engine that only had 3 main bearings (current ones have 5)

regards
mech

LOL! That's pretty funny. Wouldn't you be able to hear it if your engine didn't have oil though?