Let's talk about oil

**Rivmage** · 08-12-2011

Hi all,

I just got my Grand Prix. It's a '98 with 140k miles. I was wondering what oil and filter combo uses and recommends.

I was thinking of going with Mobil 1 High Mileage 10W-30 and I wasn't sure on what filter.

Thank you,
Scott

**JoRoW99** · 08-12-2011

I just got the same oil in a 5qrt jug with a mobil 1 filter for $33. cant go wrong with synthetic.

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 08-12-2011

if you ask me, run what ever you want, its your money.

I run valvoline 10w-30 and a napa gold filter, and change every 2k miles, which takes me 4 months to drive that far. Thats a 23 dollar oil change for me over a 40ish dollar one with synthetic crap.

**JoRoW99** · 08-12-2011

well run the car to 6k with synthetic. I do.

**Rivmage** · 08-12-2011

Originally Posted by Fivefingerdeathpunch

if you ask me, run what ever you want, its your money.

I will but, I know some makes run better with certain oils over others.

Scott

**BlackGT97** · 08-12-2011

i usually just buy autozone brand. its the same thing and costs alot less.
some might disagree about the quality, but i dont drive real hard anyway.

most important thing is changing it every 3k-3.5k (4k is the hightest ill ever go and thats for country driving)

fram oil filter

**JoRoW99** · 08-12-2011

3k is a myth and a waste, even more so with synthetic.

**FordMan77** · 08-12-2011

I run conventional Valvoline in both my 00 GT and my 95 Bonne, and use either a Wix or Delco filter. I won't even run a Fram on my JD walkbehind. Had too many issues with those in the past (oil pressure dropping out, filters coming apart internally, etc.).

I run semi-syn in my Vic per Ford specs w/ a Motorcraft filter.

The GT has 232K on it, the Bonnie has 196K on it, and the Vic has 106K on it. Not one of them has had an issue related to oiling.

I drove my 84 Vic to 400K+ miles on the stock 302 before I had to put her in the garage due to frame rot and that motor still has decent oil pressure even with the miles on it.

I change mine every 3.5 to 4K for the Pontiacs, and every 5 for the Vic. I drive a lot so the 2 Pontiacs will see an oil change about every 2 months.

**Taz Magister** · 08-12-2011

the main thing is just make sure you change it and check the level everynow and then. Some oils are better than others but it's not a night and day difference. Even tho I only run k&n filters and full synthetic I can't really say that my car is better than another because of that alone

**brandonl2000** · 08-12-2011

Originally Posted by JoRoW99

3k is a myth and a waste, even more so with synthetic.

idk that i agree or disagree...i just know that around 3k miles, my oil gets pretty dark, and i don't like dark oil rolling around in my engine.

Originally Posted by FordMan77

I run conventional Valvoline in both my 00 GT and my 95 Bonne, and use either a Wix or Delco filter. I won't even run a Fram on my JD walkbehind. Had too many issues with those in the past (oil pressure dropping out, filters coming apart internally, etc.).

^^ THIS. I run the conventional valvoline as well and use wix or delco filters and have never had a problem.

But, the MAIN thing is is that it HAS oil. I'm actually considering switching to Mobil 1 synthetic, but I'm so on the fence. I know that the "synthetic causes oil leak" bit is a myth, but I have extremely bad luck and if it can happen to my car, it usually does.

Look here for more answers, you can read for days. Motor Oil 101 - Bob is the Oil Guy

**JoRoW99** · 08-12-2011

Change your valve cover gaskets if you havent, i think mine leaked a tiny bit there before my swap. Another good thing is to install an oil pressure gauge, since the low oil dummy light only comes on if its below like 5psi. And if the sensor gets broken or disconnected, the light stays off so youll never know if your engine is about to blow up from no oil.

**brandonl2000** · 08-12-2011

Yup, if you haven't done the LIM gaskets, I would just go ahead and get all of the top end gaskets and re-do them and knock it out all at once and you should be good to go for the life of the car if you get the metal gaskets.

And JoRoW, correct me if I'm wrong, but you change out that oil pressure sensor with the new oil gauge's sensor behind the oil filter housing while there is NO oil in the car right?

**NOVAZ27** · 08-12-2011

My take on what oil/filter combo to use is as follows. If the engine uses oil by either burning or leakage using a DINO oil of your choice will suffice. If the engine does not burn or leak oil then a Synthetic oil would be the best choice. My personal choice on Synthetic oil is MOBIL 1 since I have had very good results using it over the years. As far as OIL FILTERS are concerned I would stay with a name brand filter. Most oil filters are designed to last as long as the vehicle oil change interval. Changing oil interval IMO is when using DINO oil 3-4k mi. with a filter change. Synthetic oil is 6-7k mi. with a stand alone filter change at the 3k mark. At the stand alone oil filter change I add several oz. of Marvel Mystery oil to the filter along with the Synthetic oil of choice used to top off filter. This has worked for me over the years.

HOPE THIS $0.02 WORTH HELPS

**JoRoW99** · 08-12-2011

Originally Posted by brandonl2000

And JoRoW, correct me if I'm wrong, but you change out that oil pressure sensor with the new oil gauge's sensor behind the oil filter housing while there is NO oil in the car right?

I did it during my top swap when there was no oil in it, yes. I would assume oil would come out.

**SlowNA06** · 08-12-2011

The oil matters less than the filter. If it bugs you to pay more than $5 on a filter, I still recommend something like Fram Xtended Guard and save money with Walmart Supertech Synthetic.

**matt5112** · 08-12-2011

Originally Posted by JoRoW99

3k is a myth and a waste, even more so with synthetic.

Not if its all short trips and the oil spends most of its time cold.

Summer: 10W30 synthetic or castrol 0W30 made in germany.

Winter: 0W30 synthetic or 0W20 Synthetic.

**JoRoW99** · 08-12-2011

Originally Posted by SlowNA06

The oil matters less than the filter.

This.

**Jakegday** · 08-12-2011

Originally Posted by JoRoW99

3k is a myth and a waste, even more so with synthetic.

no, its not a myth, it was a fact..... back in the 1970's!! oil has improved GREATLY since then, and, believe it or not, so have engines!

in regards to the dark oil, it gets dark because its doing its job, which is keeping your engine clean. if you change your oil based on its color your an idiot.

you wont catch me changing (wasting) my oil an inch before 5000 miles. and AT LEAST 7500 with synthetic. i have done several UOAs (used oil analysis, where you send your used oil to a lab to be examined) to prove this is more then safe on my car.

if you REALLY wanna learn ALOT about motor oils, spend some time in the forums at bobistheoilguy.com