What is your oil preference?

[admin]

I don't want to turn this thread into the Synthetic vs. Dino Oil debates that take place on ALL automotive forums, but I'm interested in what you guys use.  Obviously, your environmental conditions (weather climate), intended use for your car, and other items will factor into your choice.  Here's my answer:

Back east I used Synthetic Mobil 1 in every car I owned or worked on.  All of my engines (aircooled VW or American GM V8's) lasted into the 200,000 mile range and ran great.  I never burned oil, lost compression, or had any major mechanical failures.  My air temps in New York and Pennsylvania ranged from -32 below to high 90's. (Farenheit)  The multigrade 10W30 Mobil 1 was my favorite.

When I moved to the Las Vegas desert 5 years ago, I asked the guys here what they ran as their oil of choice.  I had an engine that I didn't build in my Kabrio and I didn't want to remove it.  Being on the EXTREMELY tight budget I was at the time, I really didn't feel like spending the extra $$$ on synthetic oil.  The local guys seemed to like Castrol Straight 30 & 40 weight HD (Heavy Duty oil) with a bottle of STP (which is thick as Honey) during the summer when the heat is 110+. 

Since then, when I put my 66 (the Hooptie) on the road, I had a fresh 1776 with some very nice parts that was given to me.  I wanted to take care of this virtually new engine, so I began using Mobil 1 10W30 again.

While the Mobil1 is expensive, I truly believe it is worth it!  The oil stays cleaner longer and doesn't turn black.  I've not experienced any difference in engine temps, but that's not to say that there isn't.  (I don't have any aftermarket guages.)  In my Kabrio, I have only run the Castrol 40HD and the STP in the summer time extreme temperatures.  While it does blacken faster than the Mobil1 I feel it has done a decent job of protecting my engine too.

One last word on oil...  When I was in High School shop, my teacher told me to avoid a lot of the cheap oil because it is "wax based" and will sludge up your engine.  He specifically called out Quaker State as being a bad oil.  (No that was 15+ years ago, so they might not be the same formulation any more.)

We'll get to see the inside of the Hooptie's engine (with the Mobil 1) when I pull it out and reseal the case and pushrod tubes...   

Let's here your comments on oil preferences!

Scott Faivre

[EZ Gruv]

I use only Castrol GTX 20/50..nothing else, ever.

[67SoCal]

I use what evers on sale at the parts store 

[YankeeBug]

I'm a cocktail'er.    I use STP with every oil change.   I use straight 30 weight oil with STP Oil Treatment as a suppliment.

Andre

[DoubleDrop]

Mobil 1 synthetic for trucks!  My F150 with 168,000 miles made me a believer! 

[Yoda]

I have only ever used Morris 30 oil in air cooled engines.Change it every three thousand miles weather it needs it or not. 
synthetics are for new technology engines with extended service intervals and water cooling.
but hay thats only my opinon  

[gblakeney]

10W30 Pennzoil.  I use 5W20 when building instead of assembly lube.

[Mike Villanueva]

Is it true that we can use diesel oil in our VWs? 

[admin]

Is it true that we can use diesel oil in our VWs? 

Yes we can.  That is the latest trend with guys in the High Performance segment of our hobby.  The diesel oils have high concentrations of zinc that is an anti-scuff lubricant.  From the way it was explained to me, the zinc molecules bond with the surface of the metal to create a slick surface that virtually eliminates wear.

Also an old trick that the VW guys have borrowed from General Motors (GM) is to use their EOS (Engine Oil Supplement) at break in.  EOS also has higher concentrations of zinc in it.  However, there is some that say that since most modern engines are no longer a flat tappet design, that GM has lowered the zinc level in their EOS formula since it can cause problems with catalytic converters and the newer engines feature hydraulic lifters.  There are also rumors that the EOS sold in California is different than the EOS sold in other parts of the USA due to California's strict SMOG laws.

I'm running Shell Rotella diesel oil too, but... That's in my diesel pick up truck! 


This is a generic picture I got off of the net.


Scott Faivre

[gblakeney]

Several guys on other forums recommend Rotella-T oil in the VW engine.

I may switch to it here very soon.

[Mike Villanueva]

Are there anybody in the forum who is using diesel oil in their VWs? What is your feedback? Thanks

[Mike Soliven]

My race motor get 20-50 Kendall

Stock motor 10-30 of Penzoil, Castrol... whatever works

[gblakeney]

Why so heavy in the race engine if you don't mind?

[Mike Soliven]

Why so heavy in the race engine if you don't mind?

Never got an answer for that myself. I just do what the man Pat Downs tells me to do.

[DoubleDrop]

I'll stick to my Mobil 1!