Changing to a different engine oil

[Samuel]

Hi all,

I have a 1998 Chevrolet Tracker convertible with a 118,000 miles. I currently use a conventional engine oil such as, Pennzoil High Mileage Vehicle 5w30.

Would I go wrong if I switch over to using Mobile 1 Extended Performance synthetic or Mobile 1 synthetic in my vehicle, both 5w30 weight?

Any comments would be greatly helpful and appreciated.

[the flying scotsman]

I've never believed any of the hype about oil. So much of it is just marketing-like the TV pharmaceutical ads, creating a need for something which never existed. Use a name brand, never anything heavier than 10/30 for OHC motors because of the many small drillings in the cylinder head carrying oil to the valve train and change it often. Maybe there is some Consumer Reports or similar study tracking 2 powertrains using conventional and synthetic oils over the course of 500,000 miles which has clearly demonstrated some superiority but I've never heard of it. It reminds me a bit of the New York Times vodka taste test a few years ago with a crew of alleged vodka experts. Smirnoff beat Gray Goose hands down. Finally, in any sort of hot environment, 5/20 seems a bit light in anything high mileage.

[Samuel]

Originally Posted by the flying scotsman

I've never believed any of the hype about oil. So much of it is just marketing-like the TV pharmaceutical ads, creating a need for something which never existed. Use a name brand, never anything heavier than 10/30 for OHC motors because of the many small drillings in the cylinder head carrying oil to the valve train and change it often. Maybe there is some Consumer Reports or similar study tracking 2 powertrains using conventional and synthetic oils over the course of 500,000 miles which has clearly demonstrated some superiority but I've never heard of it. It reminds me a bit of the New York Times vodka taste test a few years ago with a crew of alleged vodka experts. Smirnoff beat Gray Goose hands down. Finally, in any sort of hot environment, 5/20 seems a bit light in anything high mileage.

Flying Scotsman,

Thank you for your comments in reference to using a different oil type. They were really hopeful!

Samuel

[paul kellam]

A older guy came into the shop the other day he had a 1966 buick it had
just turned 300000 miles it ran great he just needed new tires. I asked him
if he was the orginal owner he said yes. I asked if it had been overhauled
he said "no" i then asked him how often he changed oil he said every 3000
miles i asked him what type of oil he used all these years he said "whatever
is on sale" good enough for me!!

[jtgh]

hype springs eternal.

use exactly what the owners manual says.
and do not run super thin oil in it , unless you live in the klondyke.or ?
not sure about 98, i dont have a manual on it and do not think it was designed for the new super thin oils, (5w and the like) ( IIRC that's 2004 or so?)

i'm sure, some one here has that data.

i run Chevron oil, it is some of the best in the world.
then i pick the correct weight for my climate.

3k is good change point on high mileage engines.
really the more blow by , the more changes, needed.

i can tell by how fast the oil turns black.


but most say, 99% is the getting out of the old oil and fresh in that counts.

Todays oils are very good.