In Ray’s current (1.14.25) Dear Car Talk column, he advises the reader to use a more expensive full synthetic engine oil, rather than a less expensive synthetic blend. No dispute. But this got me to wondering, if you have a fixed budget (i.e. X dollars per year to allot to engine oil tasks), is it better to use a more expensive better grade oil, or to use a less expensive oil, but replace it & the filter more frequently?
Use whatever the owners manual calls for.
In Maine they change oil whenever the muffler falls off. Full synthetic and filter every six months if you drive 9000 miles a year.
Tester
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Reminds me of using higher octane gas to improve performance when 89 octane is specified.
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I change the oil in my cars every 6 months or 6000 miles, whichever comes first, with full synthetic. Part of the reason is I feel that’s cheap insurance for the engine…but another reason is the 5W-20 doesn’t seem to be available in regular dino.
Personally I think regardless of what kind of oil you use, getting the oil changed on a regular basis is the key. It’s amazing how many drivers can’t get that right.
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I’m not sure if people in Boston really care about their cars but I guess as long as the oil meets specs, it’s fine. I just don’t understand paying $40,000 plus for a car and then worrying about an extra $20 for maintenance. I use Mobil 1 and change at 5000. Suit yourself.
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You mean gas??
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It is better to use the specified oil and change it at least as much as the maker recommends. No need to balance better/cheaper oil choice, use a name brand that meets spec, plus a name brand filter, and 99% of the time the engine will not suffer an oil-related issue in its lifetime.
Most available oils today are SP rated. It will be the specified oil for all new vehicles and will exceed the requirements for older vehicles. If you are on a budget, find the cheapest.
Follow the manufacturers recommended OCI (oil change interval) and your engine will have a long happy life, IF you also follow all the other PM (preventative maintenance) requirements, coolant, filters, plugs etc.
Huh? who in Boston do you know that ever made that statement?
The boys from Boston said cheap oil is fine.
Friends of yours? Citation needed. The cheap oil guy is in Minnesota.
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I think that the reference to the “boys from Boston” from @bing was probably just something that Tom & Ray (the boys from Boston) said at some point. I believe the point was just that if the oil is API/SAE certified then the “brand name” on the bottle doesn’t matter.
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The topic in the Car Talk column was: Synthetic oil or cheaper synthetic blend.
Ray’s comments:
Here’s my guess: Most engines call for synthetic oil now. It’s clearly superior to the dinosaur-based stuff we’ve used since shortly after the wheel was invented. Synthetic oil lubricates better and lasts about twice as long. And most companies that manufacture – and, more importantly, have to warranty – engines, insist you use it.
But it is a bit more expensive than conventional oil. So, in order to sell something at a lower price-point for, what’s the term? Cheapskates! They came up with this concept of “synthetic blend,” which is a mixture of dinosaur oil and synthetic oil.
So, I’d absolutely recommend sticking to a full-synthetic oil, Ron. I mean you wouldn’t buy partially pasteurized milk, right? Or partially galvanized steel? So don’t buy slightly synthetic oil.
Most Toyota and Lexus vehicles during the last 15 years use synthetic oil, but if an alternative oil is used, the oil must be change twice as often.
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I thought he meant the deep fryer oil used by the Wahlbergs.