Yes, another motor oil thread

[Seerlah]

The winter time is aproaching, and I want to change my oil to a different brand. But do not know which one to go with. Yes, I searched numerous threads and am somewhat determined on getting the Amsoil European Blend 5w40. Does this seem like the better route?

I am currently running Royal Purple 5w30 and am not too impressed. I think my car ran better with Valvoline Synpower 5w30. But maybe it's just me. What would you guys recommend and what do you guys use? And would you suggest another type of Amsoil other than the European Blend?

Thanks!

[JaVa]

i ran roya lpurple 5w40 for awhile but it got expensive so i have been running amsoil euro 5w40 for awhile now and it seems good to me. redline is also very good but $$$$

[dougyfresh]

I run Total/Elf Quartz INEO MC3 5w30 all year 'round with a 5,000mile oil & filter change interval.

[SuperStuff]

It's going to be expensive no matter what brand synthetic you use because you really need to change the oil as often as dino oil (3000-5000 miles). Be careful some labeled as synthetics are not created equal.

I run a 2.8L engine so I use dino and change every 3500. Oil pick-up screen on the 2.8L is not a problem as much as the 1.8T engine.

[blmlozz]

unless it gets near freezing in your area I would say stick with a 5w40 weight.. it only gets into the 50s usualy where I live so I just keep using 5w-40 since the 1.8T is a hot running engine anyway.

I buy total quartz energy 9000 (re-branded elf since they don't make it anymore) 5w40..
I prefer to use the stuff that would have been put in the car if it were home in germany (or close to it) since they usualy change oil far less then we do in america and it's designed more to be changed like that, which translates into a better overall quality oil.

I used to use amsoil, but there's just something not right about them.. if you're too cheap to buy an API license then mabye your too cheap to do some other things, and from the oil analysis on them they're not any better than any other synthetic.

In either case there's really only a couple "off the shelf" brands to avoid;
royal purple
Q torque/Horsepower
and walmart/napa brand..
first, unless

If I were to walk into walmart I'd be eyeballing pennzoil platinum or castrol syntec..valvoliene is good too.

Pennzoil makes the napa/walmart brands, but it's more of a dino oil than closer to their platinum stuff.
Q is just re-branded quaker state, which is shi* and is only endorsed by ferrari because shell and ferrari have joint agreements, and shell just bought quaker state.. so it's kind of like endorsing your own product.
royal purple is good in some applications, but not for the 1.8T.. and it has pretty high shearing..

mobil 1 is still *okay* but it wouldn't be my first pick, unless it's the 15w50 stuff.. which is acutaly pretty good for track/racing if you're on a budget.. but it's too thick for anything less than a BT and their regular stuff is just inferior compared to pennzoil or castrol, it's not by much, and to be honest the difference between the good oils never is, but when you have the choice between them and the cost is within $1 of each other it just makes sense to chose some over others.

[Seerlah]

Elf is my other consideration as the price is rather fair. If I recall correctly, they actually now shelf Quartz at Walmart . That is where I picked up the Royal Purple. But I found a deal for 3 quartz of the Amsoil European blend for $25. It seems a good deal, but I would need to order more as that is not enough oil. I was thinking to get 3 orders, so that would have me good for 2 oil changes. But I think that is rather pricey for just 2 oil changes (8.6 quarts needed for 2 oil changes and I would be getting 9 quarts). That is one of the reasons for this thread to see if it is really worth the extra dough.

And to Dougyfresh, I came across a thread where you posted about the autohausaz deal for the Elf. Good stuff!

unless it gets near freezing in your area I would say stick with a 5w40 weight.. it only gets into the 50s usualy where I live so I just keep using 5w-40 since the 1.8T is a hot running engine anyway.

I live in NY, and the winters can be very harsh. The Amsoil European Engine Oil only comes in 5w40, so that is a no go for the winter over here? If that is the case, I will look into the Amsoil 5w30, unless you recommend a different vicosity. Maybe 0w30 full synthetic?

[oldblu]

I use Pentosin 5-40.

ECS Tuning, Oil

[CO AVANT]

Motul 300V 5W40 for me...

[le91688]

so does 0w40 = good in winter?
and 5w40 = good weather?

I live in PA, and its about to get cold, so i need to figure out what to get

[CO AVANT]

yes 0W40 is perfect for winter. 0W40 is even fine for summer, but I personally use 5W40 in summer.

[Seerlah]

So what exactly is the better visocity for the winter? I can reach temp that are -10*F. From what I read so far, 0w40 and 5w30 is perfect for winters. Is this accurate? Then run 0w30 or 5w40 in the summers?

[CO AVANT]

I know Mike and others have ran 30 weight in the summer, but it's just too light for me up at high elevation. I have to run 40 weight in the summer with the heat and power my car puts out... 0W30 or 5w30 is fine for winter anywhere. Lighter the oil, the easier the engine cranks (spins) when it's cold out. "W" stands for winter in the first # not weight like most people think. Second # is the viscosity at operating temps.

[Seerlah]

I am just going to use 5w30 in the winter and 5w40 in the summer and call it a day. I used 5w30 this summer with no issues at seal level.

[CO AVANT]

^^^ That is a good choice. Most at sea level will not have any issues running 30 in the summer. Elevation sucks...

[dougyfresh]

Yeah. I've got a ton of that oil sitting in my basement. Stocked up just in case the price went up and shipping was free.

[Maverick]

lol, I am surprised to see Doug and Jordan to be here.
Doug, what oil do you have in your basement?