Gig'Em891
New member
I've been pondering what oil and filter to use as I begin with the first of many oil changes to come in my "new" 2001 4TR Limited 4x2 V-6, 101K mi., and after hearing SO many different opinions in this and other forums, and from local auto parts dealers, and from hours of independent research online, I've come to the following conclusions, which while they may not be absolute, are good enough for me to finally be able to make a decision in the matter:
1. A good quality oil filter, changed regularly if not sooner, is probably more important to the protection of engine damage related to oil failure than the differences between any particular brand of oil used, as long as the proper weight grade is used for that particular engine and its environmental application. If contaminants in the oil are the main problem to be addressed in protecting the engine, and not necessarily oil "breakdown", which does not actually occur, then removing these contaminants from the oil properly and efficiently will serve to protect the engine far more than the possible benefits derived from the use of any particular oil would serve to benefit the engine. As many have noted previously, while they may be getting by "just fine", with high miles achieved on their T4R's using your basic, bottom-dollar filter (FRAM), an upgrade in this area, i.e., a truly better filter such as NAPA Gold, Wix, etc., will substantially improve your engine's ability to protect itself.
2. The differences and benefits of using synthetic oil over conventional oil are more relevant to the environmental application of any particular engine and the length of time you prefer to go between oil changes than any substantial, empirical gain to be had by most other measures. In other words, the increased flow and stability characteristics of synthetic oil over conventional oil in severe high and low temperatures is a definite benefit to be realized, within those severe environments, and the use of synthetics in any environment which could be categorized as "severe", such as extreme cold or heat, could be a major benefit for your engine.
3. Certain aspects of higher-mileage (above 100K) engines may in fact benefit from particular oils and their additives which serve to protect them better than just any 'ole oil on the market, benefits which taken together may be a better choice for use in them than the general, beneficial characteristics which synthetics may provide with its regular use. Not to rag on synthetics, but they are not the end-all cure for all which can and does ill our engines. Benefits? Yes . Holy Grail? No. When you consider that 'the vast majority of engines in service today around the world use conventional oil' (from the Oil Bible), and the results of the CAFE standard's increasing requirements to lower the phosphorous content in our modern oil to protect our catalytic converters, as compared to oil manufactured prior to the 1990's, which serves to help the oil do its job better to remove harmful contaminants and therefore better protect our engines, additives may in fact be something to consider in certain vehicular applications and situations. I'm just sayin. Is the advertising and sale of oil additives, and "high-mileage" application oils a fraud being perpetrated by their respective companies on we suckers, merely for profit? No. Are additives a "cure-all" for an engine's pre-existing ills, which will guarantee noticeable savings and increased operational longevity? No. It all depends on the application. What works for one, may not work for another. Is the proliferation of oil types and brands on the market confusing? You bet. Is it worth our while to consider specific factors to narrow the field when making our determination and final choice? Absolutely. Have you bought a tube of toothpaste at the supermarket lately? Don't get me started......:ybrick: But, this is America, and we're all about freedom of choice, so go figure. No, really, GO FIGURE.....then CHOOSE. I mean, I don't want to be particularly anal about EVERYTHING out there, but I don't want to be a sheep, either. Do your research, and be confident in your decision. If money is tight, or you just don't want to waste it, then do your best, but don't just wing it haphazardly on a whim.
So to sum up, when making a determination about what type or brand of oil and/or oil filter to use in your particular vehicle, you should first examine the environment and daily use characteristics within which you will be operating your engine (HOT/COLD/MODERATE), the particular age of your engine, and select an oil which at least purports to show benefits of their use in those environments as a starting point. I strongly believe that this is an undisputable, scientific fact of consideration to be assessed and made, which can undoubtedly provide inherent benefits which will, on average, show results with improved performance and engine life in general, over time.
And, of course, use a good oil filter and change it regularly, if not more than regularly. Who's to say that using a good, mid-level oil, and spending the extra savings from not using an expensive brand of oil, on a second oil filter to be changed out halfway between oil changes wouldn't provide a greater benefit overall, than would the use of a more expensive, super-duper type or brand of oil? Hmmmm..........
And don't be a hater: I do apologize if I've offended anyone who reads this, which was not my intent. This is of course only my opinion of the facts relative to motor oil selection and use, based on my own research which dates back to say..... last week. I'm not a scientist, and I don't have any connections with any vending capacities of any oil, filter, or additive company out there. I'm just a regular guy like many of you out there, who is trying to make a proper decision about the best way to protect my vehicle, and if there ARE factors to consider in this attempt, then I definitely want to consider them.
eace:
*So, I'm goin' with Valvoline MaxLife 5W-30 for High Mileage applications, a K&N filter, and 8 oz. of Rislone Engine Treatment (the 16oz variety in the yellow, plastic container) for added friction modifiers and increased oil stability. I was a pretty die-hard Mobil 1 fan, and recently considered and switched to Royal Purple in my Accord with 150K mi., but now I think that was an overtly expensive effort, and possibly mistaken use, and will now be switching both the Accord, and definitely our T4R, to the above arrangement. If I notice any excess oil loss thru blow-by burning or Heaven help me leaking, I'll switch to 10W-30, due to the moderately warm climate we have here in Texas. It may not help very much in the big scheme of things, but it definitely won't hurt.
1. A good quality oil filter, changed regularly if not sooner, is probably more important to the protection of engine damage related to oil failure than the differences between any particular brand of oil used, as long as the proper weight grade is used for that particular engine and its environmental application. If contaminants in the oil are the main problem to be addressed in protecting the engine, and not necessarily oil "breakdown", which does not actually occur, then removing these contaminants from the oil properly and efficiently will serve to protect the engine far more than the possible benefits derived from the use of any particular oil would serve to benefit the engine. As many have noted previously, while they may be getting by "just fine", with high miles achieved on their T4R's using your basic, bottom-dollar filter (FRAM), an upgrade in this area, i.e., a truly better filter such as NAPA Gold, Wix, etc., will substantially improve your engine's ability to protect itself.
2. The differences and benefits of using synthetic oil over conventional oil are more relevant to the environmental application of any particular engine and the length of time you prefer to go between oil changes than any substantial, empirical gain to be had by most other measures. In other words, the increased flow and stability characteristics of synthetic oil over conventional oil in severe high and low temperatures is a definite benefit to be realized, within those severe environments, and the use of synthetics in any environment which could be categorized as "severe", such as extreme cold or heat, could be a major benefit for your engine.
3. Certain aspects of higher-mileage (above 100K) engines may in fact benefit from particular oils and their additives which serve to protect them better than just any 'ole oil on the market, benefits which taken together may be a better choice for use in them than the general, beneficial characteristics which synthetics may provide with its regular use. Not to rag on synthetics, but they are not the end-all cure for all which can and does ill our engines. Benefits? Yes . Holy Grail? No. When you consider that 'the vast majority of engines in service today around the world use conventional oil' (from the Oil Bible), and the results of the CAFE standard's increasing requirements to lower the phosphorous content in our modern oil to protect our catalytic converters, as compared to oil manufactured prior to the 1990's, which serves to help the oil do its job better to remove harmful contaminants and therefore better protect our engines, additives may in fact be something to consider in certain vehicular applications and situations. I'm just sayin. Is the advertising and sale of oil additives, and "high-mileage" application oils a fraud being perpetrated by their respective companies on we suckers, merely for profit? No. Are additives a "cure-all" for an engine's pre-existing ills, which will guarantee noticeable savings and increased operational longevity? No. It all depends on the application. What works for one, may not work for another. Is the proliferation of oil types and brands on the market confusing? You bet. Is it worth our while to consider specific factors to narrow the field when making our determination and final choice? Absolutely. Have you bought a tube of toothpaste at the supermarket lately? Don't get me started......:ybrick: But, this is America, and we're all about freedom of choice, so go figure. No, really, GO FIGURE.....then CHOOSE. I mean, I don't want to be particularly anal about EVERYTHING out there, but I don't want to be a sheep, either. Do your research, and be confident in your decision. If money is tight, or you just don't want to waste it, then do your best, but don't just wing it haphazardly on a whim.
So to sum up, when making a determination about what type or brand of oil and/or oil filter to use in your particular vehicle, you should first examine the environment and daily use characteristics within which you will be operating your engine (HOT/COLD/MODERATE), the particular age of your engine, and select an oil which at least purports to show benefits of their use in those environments as a starting point. I strongly believe that this is an undisputable, scientific fact of consideration to be assessed and made, which can undoubtedly provide inherent benefits which will, on average, show results with improved performance and engine life in general, over time.
And, of course, use a good oil filter and change it regularly, if not more than regularly. Who's to say that using a good, mid-level oil, and spending the extra savings from not using an expensive brand of oil, on a second oil filter to be changed out halfway between oil changes wouldn't provide a greater benefit overall, than would the use of a more expensive, super-duper type or brand of oil? Hmmmm..........
And don't be a hater: I do apologize if I've offended anyone who reads this, which was not my intent. This is of course only my opinion of the facts relative to motor oil selection and use, based on my own research which dates back to say..... last week. I'm not a scientist, and I don't have any connections with any vending capacities of any oil, filter, or additive company out there. I'm just a regular guy like many of you out there, who is trying to make a proper decision about the best way to protect my vehicle, and if there ARE factors to consider in this attempt, then I definitely want to consider them.
eace:*So, I'm goin' with Valvoline MaxLife 5W-30 for High Mileage applications, a K&N filter, and 8 oz. of Rislone Engine Treatment (the 16oz variety in the yellow, plastic container) for added friction modifiers and increased oil stability. I was a pretty die-hard Mobil 1 fan, and recently considered and switched to Royal Purple in my Accord with 150K mi., but now I think that was an overtly expensive effort, and possibly mistaken use, and will now be switching both the Accord, and definitely our T4R, to the above arrangement. If I notice any excess oil loss thru blow-by burning or Heaven help me leaking, I'll switch to 10W-30, due to the moderately warm climate we have here in Texas. It may not help very much in the big scheme of things, but it definitely won't hurt.
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