oil
 

Just a question, let me know what you think, thanks:

My 94 has almost 107K miles. I've had the car for 14 months and have regularly gotten the oil changed every 3 months or less. I've been using the regular Penzoil 10W-30. Is there a better kind of oil I should use? Should I use oil that is special for higher mileage cars? I figure it wouldn't hurt, but I change my oil regularly anyway. Just wondering what anyone else thought. Thanks :)

Many members rely on Mobil 1 or other synthetics. I prefer Valvaline synthetics or blends. Most of this is just personal preference. The key is to change it every 3,000 Mi or thee months--whichever is first.

As for the mileage of your car, 107k isn't that old for these engines as they are build with low friction parts such as roller rockers, thinner rings, roller lifters, etc. If you are concerned, however, it wouldn't hurt to start using Maxlife or some other oil specifically designed for 'older' engines. Anything you can do to reduce wear on your internals will help keep your baby running 250K++.

Hope this helps out.

BTW, you may hear people bashing Penzoil. I have never used it so I cannot say with any certainty whether it is good or bad, however, it must meet federal standards just as all motor oils must. I would certainly stay away from recycled motor oil (save that for your lawn mower if you are buying it), otherwise I think you are going to find the minimum federal standards and up in oil quality. I try to stay with companies that have a good reputation.

I'll bash penzoil! You like your car, I can tell, so don't put the cheapest stuff in it that you can find. Penzoil is the bottom of the barrel, so to speak. I use valvoline synthetic blend, cuz the pure synthetics are a bit spendy. Like SESC said, it's personal preference. Just stay away from the low-end stuff.

Hey fellas!
I've got 175+ on my bonnie and have been using Castrol GTX 10W30 for about two years. Just wondering where that brand stands on your list from good to bad. Personally I've had good luck with it but I'm going to change my oil this weekend, and was wondering if 175+ is a good time to spend the money on synthetic oil made for higher mileage cars. SSOOO, my question is, if you guys had to choose between staying with Castrol (if it aint broke don't fix it), or go to a more specialized blend, what would you do :?:

I don't recomend synthetic , is says in the owners manuel not to use it ! Go for the higher milage oil!

Ok, now, let's see if there is any back up proof for all the Pennz not oil bashing going on around here. Since I am one of the old farts around here, I must say that I have been using Pennzoil and good filters(your choice) for the last 15 years or so, in everything from Nissan, Honda, GM (various). I have had some other things go wrong with all these fine engineered automobiles, but NEVER have I had a oil related problem. I just wanted to add my opinion (we know what they say about those) and see if anyone had data for all this bashing going on, if not, you just keep over paying for your synthetics and I'll keep my extra $$ in the bank........................ :roll:

I do recomend a certain additive ! It's called Z-MAX . In my days in aviation studies I learned of a liquid called lyncyte or something like that I don't remember but I do know that Z-MAX has it . It only has maybe 3% but it's the only one that contains it . We used 100% to treat the plane engines after 3000 hours of service . It restore the metals strenth and it's not publisized by any one cause if you had a never breaking engine ther would not be any car sales or other additives . If you can find this liquid in it's 100% form you would have to do an engine over haul But I bet your cylinders would last forever > But I think it's a fed offense to buy it in 100% form the most cibilian can buy is 3%

Ok, MR.3800 :lol: , I will do a little test for you. I have noticed the the oil gets pretty black in my B'ville, but not so bad in my Accord. I just thought it was the difference between the cars. I will try the Halvoline in my next oil change to see if it does not get as dark as the Pennzoil. Have you ever ran anything like a motor flush through your engines. My father in law swears he will run kerosene thru his after they turn 100,000 to flush out any gunk inside the motor. He swears it helps..........like you I prefer to run the Gm Delco filter in my B'ville and the Honda filter in my Accord...........no rice jokes OK?

thanks, Dylansdad

Dylansdad,

You should run an engine flush through your car before changing to another brand. If the oils have brand specific additives, they may react with the new oil's additives and produce sludge. I don't recommend doing many engine flushes as the additive they use to "flush" is meant to break down the oil and deposits within your engine. This produces wear. But once won't hurt too bad. This will also give you a better "test" as the sludge from the old oil won't darken your Havoline.

Kerosene? I wouldn't do it. It may be the same thing they sell in the "Flushes", but why take a chance. Go with a marketed product made specifically for that application.

I, too, have had good experiences with Havoline. I use that in my Lincoln and Valvoline in my Pontiac. Both are very good oils.

I never tried the STP engine flush, but I did try the STP complete fuel system cleaner, and got 40-45 more miles to the tank!! I couldn't believe it. I did it a few months after I bought it because I figured the person who had it before me didn't take the best care of it. It helped a lot, though I still only get usually 265-70 miles a tank. Does that sound bad to anyone else, because it sounds bad to me. My friend has a 94 SE and he gets about 340 miles to the tank. Mine has to do with my stop and go driving/commute to college/work, but I'm due for another STP fuel system cleaner in 100 miles, and will change my oil (maybe with Valvoline, due to a lot of replies) at the same time and see if I get any improvement.