Thread: Motor Oil Brands

This is kind of a silly thread and poll but hey, it is car related.
I was wondering what brand of motor oil people use in their car and why its thier favorite if you care to share.

I personally use and prefer Valvoline. I use the 10w40 Durablend. Its a good oil.

I may put Peak in next time since its the new motor oil for the IRL and its Danica's sponsor.

While working for an auto parts store I used to get alot of oil questions. I decided to do my research. Cost/Performance/Avail. were my criteria. Mobil 1 (for reasons I don't care to spend 3 hours writing a report on) won out. You can get it all over, it's reasonable in price and the closest higher competition had minimal advantage. I also use Mobil 1 grease, trans fluid, and gear oil.

Also, Wix oil filters won in the same research.

Now when it comes to oil filters, there is only one brand as far as Im concerned.... FRAM

I don't find there to be a difference large enough between all the various brands to need to stick to one. I tend to just whichever of the major brands (Valvoline, Pennziol, Mobil, Castrol, etc) is one sale at Canadian Tire when I need to change the oil.

I have several bottles of Castrol at home right now because I'm going to change the oil in my Bimmer when I get home in April.

1) Brands like Kendall, motorcraft, etc. are really just the cheaper marketed SUB-BRANDS of bigger companies. Motorcraft is a Ford branded oil but I highly doubt Ford makes it. Just like Pennzoil and QuakerState. They are both Pennzoil owned and are most likley the exact same oil. Many brands have several lines of oil that they market (contract?) the rights to. Walmart branded oil is made by one of the big guys under a special deal.

2) I have seen with my own 2 eyes many types of real world test with different oils (Bearing load tests etc) and I can tell you that there is a HUGE difference between Synthetic and Conventional BUT within those categories, there is not much. You have to look at the API ratings.

3) There is also a HUGE difference in filters. I have seen the test sheets on micron filtration density vs. flowrate vs. cost. You can take 3 different brands of filter and cut them open and instantly see that some have FAR more filter than others BUT that can also reduce the amount of flowing oil which is just as bad. (no oil = no good) The $5 Wix has a better flow and a slightly less dense filtration (like 5 microns) than the $12 Mobil 1 (a human hair is like 20 microns) While Fram is good for $2 more you get a significantly better filter. HOWEVER, Wix is not as widely distributed even though it is the NASCAR official filter.

Originally Posted by JoStream

I use Mobil 1, but shouldn't Shell be on the list?

I guess that would fall under other.