Springtime Oil Delima

[Christopher J. Bunsey]

The Buzzards have returned to Cleveland (Hinkley) and I want to change my oil for summer. I would like to know from the experts which type, viscosity, and brand you feel are best. Also for the oil filter. I may drive it 600 miles a year. I have seen a lot of hype on semi synthetics, but I dont know if the early 70s C3 can use that. I have good old 10w-40 in their now. What about oil additives? Are they worth anything?

As always Thanks!

[Wayne K.]

Re: Springtime Oil Delima

Chrisiopher,

I use Shell Rotella T 10w40 which is one brand that has been recommended here for our older motors due to the better additive package. I use AC oil filters. I'm sure others will have more input.

Wayne

[Duke W.]

Re: Springtime Oil Dilemma

Brand is not important. Use a 15W-40 API service category CI-4 or CJ-4. These are otherwise known as "HD diesel engine oils" and have a richer additive package than current API SM oils for currently manufactured spark ignition engines, which place a limit on the ZDDP anti-wear addtive concentration.

Suggest you search the archives as this subject has been discussed in great detail.

If you store your car during the winter, you should change the oil prior to storage. Since the time clock doesn't run on fresh oil in the crankcase, you can drive the car for the entire season beginning in the spring, then change the oil and filter prior to the next winter storage.

Supplemental additives are not necessary with the above specified oil.

Stick with brand name oil filters, but avoid Fram. AC, Wix, and Purolator are okay.

Duke

[Terry F.]

Re: Springtime Oil Delima

It is the wear package and detergent package that is most important in the oil. Viscosity is important with the ambient temperature where the car is being started and driven. The most critical time is at start up and you want flowability. At operating temperature you want protection with viscosity that meets the needs of your engine and driving. My humble opinion. There are people on this board that forget more in a day about this stuff than I know. So, this is just a summary. In general, it is recommended to use a motor oil that has a nice amount of ZDDP in it (key component to the wear package). This is being phased out of automobile oils. But, you can find it in Diesel engine motor oils that are rated for both cars and trucks. I would look for a viscosity that is 10w40, 10w30. Those are my favoites for whatever reason. API rating of (I forget) I believe it is CL-4?? Now they have CL-4 plus?? I maily use shell rotella or similar. Terry

[Clem Z.]

ALWAYS change your oil and filter before

winter storage because the old oil contains water,acid and other things that can eat away at your bearing.after changing the oil and filter start the engine to push the clean fresh oil thru the engine.

[Donald B.]

Fram Filters

Duke,

I follow your advise about oil religiously. Curious why you don't like Fram filters. I've used them in my Toyota daily drivers for ever and never had a problem. And, if it matters, Consumer Reports has always rated Fram the highest.

Also, do you ever go to Donut Derelicts?

Thanks

[Duke W.]

Re: Fram Filters

There is a web site where the author dissected many available filters and commented on their construction materials and quality. The Frams were the poorest of all he evaluated. The level of detail is such that I think the data is worth considering.

I don't recall the URL, but you should find it quickly with a Google search. This site has been referenced on many auto blogs.

I have never heard of "Donut Delelicts".

Duke

[Paul B.]

Re: Duke, yes but...

...saw at WallyMart the "new" Shell Rotella 15W-40 Oil is only rated "CJ-4", NOT CI-4 anymore. Also saw on another site the zinc of this "new" formula is down on ppm. Any comment or further knowledge? Always take your advice on the oil. Chevron Delo 400 still has the "CI-4" rating though.

[Duke W.]

Re: Duke, yes but...

There is some reduction of ZDDP in CJ-4, but it still has more than SM.

The ZDDP reduction in CJ-4 is due to the use of catalysts on 2007 on-highway HD diesel engines.

CI-4 will continue to be offered as off-road diesels that still use high-sulpher fuel is still a market, but CI-4 distribution may become spotty. You may have have to purchase CI-4 at truck parts outlets rather than auto parts outlets and big box stores, like Walmart. Also, don't be "afraid" to use house brands of CI-4. These house brands just contract with majors to package their CI-4 products in private label jugs.

If you have problem finding CI-4, I don't see any harm in using CJ-4, and there is no need to buy a "lifetime" supply of CI-4. Oil has a long shelf life, but there is some separation. I've seen ten year old oil bottles than have a dark sludge at the bottom. This could be additive dropout, and I would not recommend using such old oil, other than for a small topoff.

Duke

[Duke W.]

Re: Duke, yes but... PS

In a "perfect world" I would continue to use CI-4 in my non-calyast cars and CJ-4 in my catalyst cars. Given that CI-4 should continue to be available for some years to come (though not necessarily convenient to buy), I may be able to do this.

Duke

[Gary Schisler]

Is this the filter study?

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

I keep it around and have read it carefully.

[Duke W.]

Yes, that's it. *NM*

[Tom R.]

Re: Yes, that's it.

I just learned more about oil types, brands and formulas than I wanted to know...but probably need to know.

[Terry M.]

Re: Yes, that's it.

Then there is www.bobistheoilguy.com
There is a section on oil and air filters as well as sections on all sorts of lubrication issues.

[Joe L.]

Re: Fram Filters

Duke-----

Unfortunately, many AC-Delco oil filters, including the PF-1218 and PF-454, now have the same "internal design features" of the Fram product. These AC-Delco filters are no longer manufactured by DELPHI, but are manufactured by Champion Labs.

My recommendation now: WIX; the "last bastion" of quality internal construction and filtering media in popularly priced oil filter.