What is a good brand of engine oil to use? I have been using Pennzoil 10w-30 but now I've been reading to stay away from it. What brand do you guys run?

 

Many good brands available. Mobil 1 synthetic has a good rating and you can usually find it on sale at one of the big box stores - about $22 for a five quart container.

 

That is absolute crap about Pennzoil. It is one of the absolute best on the market. And no, I have no brand loyalty to any particular brand.

However, you should be using 5w-30 instead of the 10w stuff. That'll help you out on startup.

 

Nothing wrong with Pennzoil IMO !

 

I can't speak to how motor oils were 30 years ago, but I do remember hearing that both Pennzoil and especially Quaker State would sludge up your engine when I was growing up.

Shell bought them both out in 2002 and the cleanest engine I ever saw ran off of regular Shell in the white bottle. Shell formulated Pennzoil and Quaker State to perform better than Shell with Pennzoil being their top tier motor oil.

Nowadays there are government regulations in place with regards to motor oil formulations and a company named PQIA tests motor oils to ensure they are what they say they are.

Anyway, that's where that probably came from, but you are good. I've used both Pennzoil and QS and I have to say that Pennzoil Platinum cleaned out what Mobil 1 left behind and I had been using Mobil 1 for about 10+ years in that particular vehicle.

 

I just put Pennzoil in on my last change and Valvoline before that. I have never considered an oil to be better or worse. I simply check that the quality rating is up to specs and put it on the bill.

 

I couldn't have said it better. Valvoline is a great oil as well. I'm a huge fan of their Maxlife transmission fluid.

As far as other brands are concerned, Chevron/Havoline is another one I like a lot. I run Havoline High Mileage in my '03 Focus.

 

Thanks for clearing that up guys. I'll continue to use Pennzoil!

 

For something like trans fluid (stays in long term) I always go with trusted brand names but as far as oil is concerned I usually get what's on sale. I always use WIX filters but oil is oil, to me, like someone else said they have regulations now along with mandatory testing on durability and friction. I've used everything from Mobil 1 to Super Tech Synthetic (walmart's brand-produced by same company that manufactures Mobil 1). I've even used master mechanic brand in my convertible, TrueValue's house brand. Never had any unusual characteristics of oil when changing or issues with motors. As long as you have the proper amount of oil and change it along with filter today's oils are all quality products, save anything that may be produced in another country and sold online. Changing the oil at X,xxx miles isn't really that big of a factor on the engine being able to run, my mother had a 94 Taurus that she kept full of oil but only had it changed once, maybe twice, a year. Had that car from new and put 250k miles on it before trading it in for a car with better mpg's, she was still getting 22mpg (highway and in town together). I wouldn't advocate doing this but as long as the engine has oil and doesn't get overheated they will last quite a while.

 

What fltdriver said, I've used Autozone HD30w the last two changes because I'm pretty sure some other oil company produces it for them and package it for Autozone. A lot of products in this country are done that way now. I also buy it because it's $2 less a quart. I don't notice any real difference in the oil. And I change mine every 10k. But I put STP oil treatment in with every change no matter what oil I use.