Synthetic motor oil

13031333536175

Comments

  • armtdmarmtdm Member Posts: 2,057
    One should not mix different weights of oils. Plus by mixing the SJ and SH you have different additive packages,not sure how much diff any of this makes at 110,000

    Pure One is made by Purolator who makes the Purolator Premium Brand and the Pure One brand. Found at many chain auto stores. Mobil 1 a great filter, most expensive of the lot and also found at several chains. AC Delco Gold series is excellent and Amsoil/Hastings/Baldwin but found via dealers only.
  • viperrulzviperrulz Member Posts: 17
    I'm about to switch to Mobil 1 in my 2001 Tahoe, and am at a loss trying to decide which filter. It seems that the Pure One, Mobil 1, and the ACDelco Ultraguard Gold are good choices. I'm a little concerned about the flow of the Mobil filter. I can't find a good comparison of the Ultraguard w/ the Pure One. However, ACDelco has a chart showing flow for a bunch of filters. They don't compare filtering efficiency though.

    http://www.acdelco.com/parts/1191d.htm
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    A terrific filter.
    The only problem is its availability for the newer models.
    "Thank you for your interest in ACDelco. In regards to your inquiry, ACDelco does not manufacture an ULTRAGUARD GOLD Oil Filter for any 2000 vehicle at this time. We should have additional information, as well as a new catalog sometime this fall. We apologize for the inconvenience."
    Sure enough it's not available for my 2000 model.
  • dhughes3dhughes3 Member Posts: 56
    OK, now I have some opinions that Pure One, Mobil 1, etc are great filters, also some suggestions as to where to purchase them. No one yet has provided any info as to what makes them better or the Fram worse. Anyone out there have hard evidence (tests)? What's the difference in the filtering media?
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    Did you check the link provided in # 1600?
    Mobil 1 - at Kmart,
    Pure One - at Pep boys.
    Motorcraft (same filtering media as in Pure One) - at Walmart.
  • armtdmarmtdm Member Posts: 2,057
    Basically cheap drain back valves, fewer pleats for filtering and cheap internal consturction. Will they work if you change every 3000, you bet, primarily because there is not much to filter out for the first 3000 of an oil chnage. You will get 100,000 plus miles with Fram and the cheapest SJ rated oil on the market if you change it every 3000 miles.

    Cut one open and then cut open a Mobil 1
  • dhughes3dhughes3 Member Posts: 56
    Thanks for the tip-my eyes went right over the link without seeing it. Gee, I noticed some references to valve noise due to the Fram filter; I think I may have a clue why I've been experiencing noise. I've pretty much stuck to Fram since Consumer Reports said they were the best several years ago. Old habits die hard. I even used them after noticing on several occasions that the threads had splinters that could come off in use (I did remove them before installation). Not the first time I've been snookered by their recommendations!!
    I did use a Mobil 1 once, but had a devil of a time removing it, since it has a smooth end and the only way to get filters off on my car is to use a tool that grasps the filter on the end. Any suggestions for a wrench that will get those off?
  • glennyjaglennyja Member Posts: 8
    Silly question time. However, I have to ask.
    My vehicle is a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban.
    My oil temperature gauge has a range from 40 degrees to two hundred. Are we measuring in
    Fahrenheit or Celsius?
    My Water temperature gauge has a range over 200 degrees. I ask again, are we measuring in Fahrenheit or Celsius? Help!!
  • dhughes3dhughes3 Member Posts: 56
    Your gauge reads degrees Fahrenheit. 200 degrees F is near the boiling point of water, 212 degrees at sea level. A 50/50 mix of water and ethylene glycol boils around 258 degrees F with a 15 psi pressure cap. 200 degrees C would be 392 degrees F and your antifreeze mixture would all boil off.
  • vonnyvoncevonnyvonce Member Posts: 129
    Must be fahrenheit.
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    The best oil filter on the face of the planet is made by Lisle the part number is not on my tool so I can't give you that. Keep watching this forum. I will go to the autoparts store and get the information. It has two spring loaded jaws that are about 1/4 inch thick. The rear of the tool has a 3/8 female drive. Not many places carry this tool. K-D makes a fair remonal tool also, but not as good. Forget anything sold in KMart/Walmart/Autozone or Advance.
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    Old age setting in you know.
  • armtdmarmtdm Member Posts: 2,057
    Love to know the filter tool you speak of, I assume it is adjustable for multiple sizes. I have abouot every filter tool and size out ther but still get some filters that are tough, Moibl 1, I agree, not the easiest to get off. Also, I am a firm believer in tightening with a few extra turns of the filter wrench, this hand tighten recommendation is for the quick lube high speed places, way too many leaking filters from this practice!!!!!
  • dpwestlakedpwestlake Member Posts: 207
    I used to have a great filter wrench, it was like a loop of seat belt at the end of a steel rod. It also had a 1/2" drive hole at the end of the rod in addition to the folding handle. It would handle any size filter. If the filter was really tight it would completely crush the filter without slipping and eventually turn it.
  • stealth1969stealth1969 Member Posts: 162
    I have one like Dpwestlake mentioned. I bought it a Sears. I have yet to find a filter it would not remove.
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    come with a 1" wrench nut.

    http://www.knfilters.com/oilfilter.htm
  • dpwestlakedpwestlake Member Posts: 207
    Hastings filters used to have that. Unfortunately if the filter is really tight the nut just twists off.
  • viperrulzviperrulz Member Posts: 17
    Any of you all found a good place to purchase Mobil 1 online? I'm struggling looking for a place.
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    They (Lisle) come in two different sizes. One is for the smaller filters and the other for the larger size. It's spring loaded and just slides on. Great for those filters you can't even see. I'll get the part numbers when I get back to the parts place. But if you get anywhere, you'll know it when you see it. BTW it does not operate in the tighten direction like the K-D. But it does remove filters easier. Filters usually fall off from fright when they see the tool.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    If you do your own oil changes and don't put the filter on with a tool, you should be able to get the old one off with your hand.
  • dpwestlakedpwestlake Member Posts: 207
    Don't most filters have "HAND TIGHTEN ONLY" printed on them?
  • glennyjaglennyja Member Posts: 8
    I'm trying to find a retailer of Redline products (synthetic oil, Fuel system cleaner, etc...) in
    the San Joe, California. Any ideas?
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    yeah, most filters do say that, but you need to tell the machine or guy at the factory about it because it seems like they put them on with an impact wrench and superglue for gasket lube. That is the ONLY time you should need a wrench, for the first oil change, after that you should be able to remove them with your hand. About the filter leaks from hand tightening---Never Ever happened to me, and believe it or not, filters can leak if you put them on TOO TIGHT.
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    C.P.W. - San Jose, CA - 408-243-9800

    http://www.redlineoil.com/dealers.htm
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    Here is the link. The tool# is 63600.


    http://www.lislecorp.com/tools/catalog/filters/index.htm I paid $8 for the tool.
    It takes some time for the pictures of the wrench to load.


    Newcar31 in theory if you put the filter on hand tight it should be able to be removed by hand. But that's only theory. It doesn't always hold true. Especially those put on and the gasket lubricated with conventional oil. Those lubricated with syn come off easier. All of them require more effort to get off than origionally put on.

  • taasstaass Member Posts: 40
    Yes! Hand tight has always worked well for me. Occasionally I'll get a filter that is a bit tough to get off. Generally a leather work glove and CONSTANT APPLIED FORCE (very important) does the trick. The impact technique doesn't work well unless the gasket is rock solid hard from age. Typically if you applie constant force the filter will slowly begin to turn. All but the most stubborn filters have come loose this way for me.

    Of course there are circumstances such as mounting location and the careless lube guy that torqued down the filter to 100 ft-lbs. The most extreme I was ever forced to get was with a filter on a 1977 Chevy Silverado. The truck had been used only a dozen times a year, so I had gone two years without changing the oil (gasp!). I tried for two hours to get this filter off. Band wrenches, cap wrenches, "the screwdriver." I only managed to tear up the casing and get oil on myself. Finally, I stuck the end-cap filter wrench to the filter and drilled three small holes through the wrench cap and the filter casing. Three self-tapping screws and a bit of elbow grease and it finally broke free. Just a story.
  • armtdmarmtdm Member Posts: 2,057
    Great site, I thought I had about every filter tool but they have a few new ones. How do you purchase though, no where on line to do so, so where do you find the products?
  • dpwestlakedpwestlake Member Posts: 207
    Most auto part stores have a rack of Lisle tools, usually one of those spinning racks.
  • dhughes3dhughes3 Member Posts: 56
    Why use a filter wrench to remove the filter??
    Reason 1: (probably the best one)
    You are supposed to change oil with the engine hot. I need the skin on my hands.
    Reason 2:
    Some filters stick, regardless of installation technique.
    Reason 3:
    You go ahead and hand tighten according to directions if you want to. I prefer an extra 1/8 turn either with a wrench or a really strong hand twist, ignoring the directions, to assure I won't get a leak later; thus I'll need a wrench to remove the filter. Also, although they advise to tighten an additional 3/4 turn after the gasket contacts the surface, many aren't marked so that 3/4 turn is easy to judge. Even if they are, it is a matter of feel to tell when the gasket has made contact.
    Reason 4:
    Not all filters are in an accessible place where you can get leverage with your hand.

    If all the mfrs used the sandpaper-like coating on the end like Fram does, wrenches might not be necessary. Unfortunately, some filters, like the Mobil 1, are round, slick, and don't lend themselves to getting a good grip.
  • haspelbeinhaspelbein Member Posts: 227
    Excuse me if this question has been brought up before, but I'm looking for the right grade of Mobil 1 for a '96 (3.2L I6) MB E320. I live in northern California, and the temperatures are moderate. I've always used 10w30 Mobil 1, but I don't see that grade being listed in Mercedes' latest recommendations. However, I haven't found the specs for ealier model years.

    Any input would be appreciated,
    Thanks,
    Martin
  • armtdmarmtdm Member Posts: 2,057
    Totally agree on using a wrench for a turn or two. Too many people I know have to go back due to a filter leak from hand jobs!
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    I can see why you would need a wrench if the filter is in a place where you cannot get leverage. As far as the filter being hot, I use a rag over my hand, it works fine, never burned myself, and yes it was at operating temp. I don't even own a filter wrench, I guess on my car (and most cars), you don't need one. By the way, I work at Jiffy Lube and have been working there for 4 years while I was in college. I don't start my "real" job till October so I still work there. In the 4 years that I have been there, and thousands upon thousands of cars that I have worked on, I have never had a customer come back with a leaking oil filter. (O.K., once a guy came back because his filter had a pinhole in it that leaked very slowly---because a new guy used a band wrench to tighten the filter) We don't use wrenches to tighten down filters (unless its a big diesel engine) and in fact we are told not to because of the reason I mentioned above.
  • phild_masonphild_mason Member Posts: 99
    Anyone have any info on Quaker State Sythetic? My local K-mart is clearing it out. I think someone made a mistake, but qts are $1 and I have bought some and have it in my 99 Accord Cpe and 00 Acura 3.5RL using Honda filters. I plan on running it about 6 or 7k and 6 months.
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Why would anybody disregard the instructions for installing a filter? Overtightening a filter is more likely to cause leaks than tightening the proper amount. Overtightening can cause the gasket to "bunch up" and not seal as well. Filter manufacturers don't just reccomend a certain amount of tightening for giggles, there is a reason behind it. Why do people think more is better?

    For that matter, why listen to the reccomendation for how much oil to add - if 4 quarts is reccomended why not add five - after all more is better. ;^)
  • armtdmarmtdm Member Posts: 2,057
    Experience says that adding the extra quart of oil will cause foaming and possible damage whereas tightening a filter has never caused me a failure but a loose filter that could actually fall off or leak profusely could cost me an engine. Guess the guys at the factory never read the instructions either or perhaps too drunk to read them. Original factory OEM filter always takes an arm wrestling champ to remove! Probably the same ones that torqued my oil pan bolts to specs and at 750 miles on a new car oil was gushing out via the pan gasket. Co worker jsut paid $25 for an oil change and a month later another $15 at another place to tighten the same filter. A money saving event!
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    I just found that sight myself, looking for the number of the filter. I believe you will need to search out the tool at one of the local speed/car parts shops.

    And in the interest of overdisecting the filter tightening. Although I haven't done thousands of changes, probably only a couple hundred. I only ever had one leak-don't know why. I never tighten more than one turn. I always put a permanent magic marker or two on the filter so that I can accurately gage the 3/4 to one turn. Always use a clean filter to feel over the sealing area of the housing just before screwing filter on. I supposed I need a wrench for removal because my arm/wrist strength is not too swift.
  • mrdetailermrdetailer Member Posts: 1,118
    I switched my 1991 Subaru to QS Synthetic last December. To say the least it has been wonderful. The oil looked new at 3,500 miles. At 5,000 it now has a slight honey color. I'll always change it at 6,000 just for safety. I used to use 1.5 quarts every 3,000 miles, at 5,000 miles I put in a pint, and it still doesn't need it. It starts up quicker in the cold, and runs smoother when hot.

    I had the car inspected today. My high speed CO2 was 0.00, the Idle CO2 was 0.04. The the Ultra clean California Standard is 0.05. The hydrocarbon level was 21 at 50 MPH, and 62 at idle. The inspector said that most NEW cars aren't that clean.

    I have NEVER had readings so good on this 10 year car.

    I wish I was in your area to buy it at the price you mentioned.
  • palfito01palfito01 Member Posts: 10
    Due too the fact, that my 2001 Ford Excursion needs 5W-20, I just purchased the only synthetic 5W-20 on the market(Amsoil).

    I have never purchased an Amsoil product so I am anxious to see what kind of results I am going to get-if any.

    Has anyone on this board use Amsoil 5W-20?
  • phild_masonphild_mason Member Posts: 99
    You might try a local Kmart. I know that they are trying to reduce the number of brands they carry nationally and are clearing out some inventory to make way for faster moving stuff.

    What I did was take one qt to the scanners they have throughout the store and check the price there. I kept doing this over a couple weeks and it was always $1. I am almost ashamed to admit but I have bought about 30 qts. I figured synth would be fine sitting around a garage for that much savings. BTW-the cases are not cheap, just single bottles, so you may have to clean off the shelf and open some boxes.
  • john319john319 Member Posts: 37
    Shame on you, I own Kmart stocks. Hehehe
  • dhughes3dhughes3 Member Posts: 56
    Didn't mean to start an argument here.
    Consider that if they weren't needed, no wrenches would be sold. I've been working on cars for 50 years, so I know what works for me. Although I've never had a filter leak due to hand tightening I have known more than one person who has. (I may have misled in my first message; I DO hand tighten IF I have can get at the filter well enough to see and feel what I'm doing, not always the case), In most cases, however, I prefer the insurance of just a little more torque on the filter. Problem is, some people think a little extra nudge with a wrench means crank it down. I've certainly had that experience on the rare occasion when I've had to have an oil change done for me, in one case having to chisel the filter off. If you're thinking of that kind of wrench usage, I can understand your trepidation.
    This is probably the only installation procedure where I go beyond the recommendation. I hope you guys always torque your lug nuts, manifold bolts, thermostat housing bolts, etc according to specs. If you are a stickler for this and have much experience, you will admit there are many times the specs can't be applied because you can't get a torque wrench in the space provided.
  • brorjacebrorjace Member Posts: 588
    I don't believe in using a filter wrench when putting an oil filter ON. I was told when I learned that if I couldn't get the oil filter on tight enough by hand, to ask my mom or sister to help me. >;^)

    I've had a filter loosen up slightly on me twice but that's easily fixed with another tightening-check by hand. No big deal.

    It was good to see that Lisle site. They make EXCELLENT, useful tools and like most of you, I was introduced to them via their first-class oil filter wrenches. If you are looking for a particular type of tool and you see that Lisle makes one, THAT's the one you want! Plenty of independent jobbers carry these on spinner racks (as previously noted). I have a few K-D tools (like end-cap wrenches) that work well but Lisle are my fave.

    Yes, Quaker-State synthetic is really good stuff. It's PAO so it's in the same league as Mobil 1 and Valvoline Synpower. At $1 per quart, it's an absolute STEAL. Even the "blend" is a good deal at that price.

    --- Bror Jace
  • meca2meca2 Member Posts: 284
    Amsoil is one of the best oils on the market. There foam air filters and oil filters
    are tops also.
  • viperrulzviperrulz Member Posts: 17
    I'm about to start using Mobil1 in my Tahoe and am wondering if I should use 5w30 or 10w30. Mobil states the following:

    "Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic Formula 5W-30 and Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic Formula 10W-30 can be used anywhere an SAE 0W-30, 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40, 5W, 10W, 20W, 20 or 30 grade viscosity is recommended"

    My owner's manual says 5w is recommended, but 10w can be used. Will the 10w30 give better protection? We do almost 100% city driving.
  • rayfbairdrayfbaird Member Posts: 183
    It takes more additives to make a larger spectrum 5W-30. More subject to breakdown. However, when the weather is below freezing 5W-30 is much easier to start. I use 5W30during my 3 coldese months, then 10W20 for the rest of the year.
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    As rayfbaird suggested 10W is probably more stable. I live in Pa and use the 10W in all my vehicles all year round. I'm not sure you will notice the difference between the 5W and 10W. I think the 10W gives a little more protection-just an opinion though.
  • gslevegsleve Member Posts: 183
    I concur with adc100 these designations were mostly written for mineral oil synthetics are not affected in the same manner if you look at the bottles both will flow at around -60 below zero

    Therefore not much enhancement from 5w to 10w both wll protect in the winter months
  • spyderredspyderred Member Posts: 138
  • spyderredspyderred Member Posts: 138
    Hello everyone,

    I have a concern. I just bought a '98 BMW 528i with 24,000 miles. It has been maintained at a BMW dealer and they have been using 15W40 oil (not synthetic). I took it my BMW dealer (which is different than the one that has performed all the service on it) for several different things including an inspection II, and to my surprise they had used 5W30 Synthetic oil. The car is 3 1/2 years and I am concerned that this was done by mistake. I talked briefly with the service advisor and he mentioned that synthetic is much better for the engine. I could go somewhere between 12,000 to 15,000 miles or until the light indicators comes on before the next oil change. I thought once you use regular oil you shouldn't switch to synthetics unless something was done (i.e. flush?). Especially after 3 1/2 years and 24,000 miles. Do I have anything to be concerned about?

    Please help, any advice or input is much appreciated.

    Thanks,

    Spyderred
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    You can get a lot more insight and varying opinions and factual information by reading previous posts. In general many will agree that flushes are not necessary and can be potentially harmful. Syn will clean up the system gradually. Syn oils potentially exhibit more seepage through small leak paths in engines than regular oils, but its not really a big concern. I have maintained many vehicles with syn and have had zero problems. Since the syn will clean up your engine you might want to change more frequently for the first couple of changes. Say 4 or 5 K. In short-no problem.
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