help with oil
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,325
Likes: 1,588
From: Western NY
I really don't want to beat a dead horse in another "what brand of oil should I use" discussion. HOWEVER, against my better judgement, here goes.......
Since I retired a few years back, I picked up a part time job delivering parts for a local edition of a "big box" auto parts chain. For some reason or other, I don't remember why, we wound up with a couple of 6 packs of a particular Pennzoil Platinum, synthetic oil that we didn't normally stock.
The store manager didn't know what to do with them, as we didn't have a SKU number to either sell it or return it with. So, half jokingly, I said, "Make me an offer I can't refuse". He replied, "OK, how about $10 for both 6 packs"? That's less than a buck a quart, I jumped on it!
I now have the Pennzoil in my C-5, and not only are there no issues, it hasn't used a drop, whereas I used to have to add about a half a quart of Mobil 1, over the same period of driving.
Believe it or don't.............
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
Nit picking this to death!
But the decision to run amok and try anything that someone perceives to be better is what makes the repair business go round and round.
We all appreciate the effort to boost the economy!
Royal Purple, LLama oil, Gerbil extract, anything with a wild and graphic label should absolutely BE THE BEST! Marketing studies and huge campaigns really make the difference.
But the decision to run amok and try anything that someone perceives to be better is what makes the repair business go round and round.
We all appreciate the effort to boost the economy!
Royal Purple, LLama oil, Gerbil extract, anything with a wild and graphic label should absolutely BE THE BEST! Marketing studies and huge campaigns really make the difference.
Last edited by sfc rick; Aug 29, 2011 at 07:39 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
Changing oils is a tricky business, and heres a short story to illustrate this. Once I had a gear box(transmission) we just finished designing on a test stand and we ran a durability test under load. I had just finished running it for a short time and the oil temperature kept rising above what we considered acceptable. The solution was to lower the oil level in the transmission which then allowed the oil to cool off as it was being thrown on the transmission case inside as it traveled down the walls to pool in the bottom. More oil in the transmission didn't allow it to cool off fast enough.
This story is to tell why things are spec'd the way they are, cause LOTS of research and testing is done to help you make an informed decision, so you don't use YOUR CAR as a TEST STAND trying to see what works and what doesn't.
This story is to tell why things are spec'd the way they are, cause LOTS of research and testing is done to help you make an informed decision, so you don't use YOUR CAR as a TEST STAND trying to see what works and what doesn't.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Raiford FL.
The specs in your owner's manual say to use Mobil 1.
Why would GM spend all the time and money stamping everyone's oil caps if they wanted you to be able to switch oils?
You can't use any different brand in your LS engine. ARE YOU CRAZY?!
You'll seize that **** faster than you can say, "Goddamn, I'm an idiot!".
Why would GM spend all the time and money stamping everyone's oil caps if they wanted you to be able to switch oils?
You can't use any different brand in your LS engine. ARE YOU CRAZY?!
You'll seize that **** faster than you can say, "Goddamn, I'm an idiot!".
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 105
From: Northville Michigan
There is absolutely nothing wrong with either Mobil-1 or Royal Purple in your LS engine.
If you putz around in your Corvette, the 5W30 weight is fine.
If you live in a colder climate, 0W30 is better.
If you regularly exercise your Corvette on the street, 0W40 is better.
If you want THE BEST synthetic oils, find the ones that are made of 100% Group V base stock.
-
If you putz around in your Corvette, the 5W30 weight is fine.
If you live in a colder climate, 0W30 is better.
If you regularly exercise your Corvette on the street, 0W40 is better.
If you want THE BEST synthetic oils, find the ones that are made of 100% Group V base stock.
-
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,325
Likes: 1,588
From: Western NY
Hey, 'Horsepower TV' drained 5-6000 mile oil out of a late model Dodge Charger, replaced it with RP, and picked up 5 RWHP.....Honest, I saw it on TV!!!!!
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, TX
I was joking.
You should have been able to SEARCH or use some COMMON SENSE and figure out that, solong as viscosity and lubricity requirements are met, any oil is fine. Some oil wears better than others and other have a nicer shear additive and others do other things and some are purple, overpriced ****.
Six-and-one-half-dozen or the other.
Go visit the Bob is the Oil Guy forum if you want to get all nitpicky with your oil.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Rantoul IL
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...t-avatars.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...our-lovin.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...s-can-rap.html
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern Michigan
I've ran Valvoline 5w-30 in all my LS1 cars. (2 1998 Camaro Z28's)
Now I've switched over my 1999 c5 to Valvoline 5w-30 (not synthetic, just dino oil)
No problems
Valvoline or bust for me (all vehicles)
Now I've switched over my 1999 c5 to Valvoline 5w-30 (not synthetic, just dino oil)
No problems
Valvoline or bust for me (all vehicles)
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 2
From: Pearland, TX
and then again, what does one call a person that joins a forum for Corvettes, and primarily discusses nonsense?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...t-avatars.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...our-lovin.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...s-can-rap.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...-your-owl.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...t-avatars.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...our-lovin.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...s-can-rap.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...-your-owl.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,186
Likes: 2
From: Woodinville WA
I ran a couple back to back dyno pulls on my car and changed nothing in between and think I gained 5hp on the 2nd pull. Come to think of it, I had excessive flatulance that day; which could have altered the results. :o
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, TX
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
This really has been cover a lot. If all you do is drive your car back and forth to work with the occasional hpde in there you really don't have to put ANY thought into your oil beyond reading your owners manual. You can use any oil that meets or exceeds gm standard GM4718M which includes royal purple, mobil 1, amsoil and many other forum favorites. Just find the best deal you can find on top tier oil and be done with it. Like I said, if you drive your car he way 99% of forum members do you will not notice a difference. I've run them all and have noticed absolutely no difference...
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,325
Likes: 1,588
From: Western NY
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 196
Likes: 1
From: ct
This really has been cover a lot. If all you do is drive your car back and forth to work with the occasional hpde in there you really don't have to put ANY thought into your oil beyond reading your owners manual. You can use any oil that meets or exceeds gm standard GM4718M which includes royal purple, mobil 1, amsoil and many other forum favorites. Just find the best deal you can find on top tier oil and be done with it. Like I said, if you drive your car he way 99% of forum members do you will not notice a difference. I've run them all and have noticed absolutely no difference...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
Not sure what version of owners manuals you guys must have but mine just says that i should be using GM4718M. The manual doesnt say anything about Mobil as far as I can find so maybe that page is missing.
page 7-19
The engine requires a special
Engine Oil meeting GM Standard
GM4718M. Oils meeting this
Standard may be identified as
synthetic, and should also be
identified with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified
For Gasoline Engines starburst
symbol. However, not all
Synthetic API oils with the
Starburst symbol will meet this
GM Standard. You should look
for and use only an oil that meets
GM Standard GM4718M. For the
proper viscosity, see “Engine Oil”
in the Index.
page 7-19
The engine requires a special
Engine Oil meeting GM Standard
GM4718M. Oils meeting this
Standard may be identified as
synthetic, and should also be
identified with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified
For Gasoline Engines starburst
symbol. However, not all
Synthetic API oils with the
Starburst symbol will meet this
GM Standard. You should look
for and use only an oil that meets
GM Standard GM4718M. For the
proper viscosity, see “Engine Oil”
in the Index.
