Lets see some opinions on the best motor oil out there. Regular or synthetic? What oil filters and what brands?
Just FYI the current API service level is SN not SM.1STyEEpOWNER has it right. SM-rated conventional oils, even generic ones, are so good these days - meeting the toughest standards in the world - that there is really no reason to spend the extra money on synthetics unless......
You want a longer oil change interval (OCI).
You live somewhere very cold and want the superior cold flow characteristics of synthetic.
You operate your vehicle under TRUE severe-duty service, where you need to minimize shearing and breakdown under truly nasty conditions.
Let's face it, the engines will far outlast the rest of the vehicle anyway. Putting in the expensive stuff feels good, but it doesn't buy us anything.
Filters are another story. Buy the best you can find. NAPA Gold are the best I've used, which are made by WIX. Good stuff. Avoid poorly constructed filters that come in an orange canister.
There is no real "best" oil. You can't go wrong following the car mfg's specifications( i.e. weight and ratings )for your vehicle. Use a quality name brand oil that meets all of the mfg spec's and change it within the mfg's time/mileage limits and you will be fine.Lets see some opinions on the best motor oil out there. Regular or synthetic? What oil filters and what brands?
Not being a tool here but why are you waiting to go to 5W30 until after your 3/36 warranty expires when you are already running the wrong weight in the 0W30? May as well do it now if you prefer 5W30 because 0W30 is going to cause you just as many headaches as 5W will if you have any internal engine issues.I went w/ M1 0W-30.
M1 AFE 0W-20 Viscosity @ 100ÂşC, 8.7 cSt
M1 AEF 0W-30 Viscosity @ 100ÂşC, 10.9 cSt.
A 20 weight oil can go up to 9.5 cSt @ 100ÂşC.
I use a NAPA 7060 filter.
M1 0W-30 and a NAPA 7060 have been used at 2K, 6K, 12K, 18K and 24K. I think that once I am out from under the 36/36 warranty coverage, I will shift to M1 EP in 5W-30 and change at 12K intervals. I need to find a filter that will go 12K.
It really depends on the internals of your engine as to whether or not the new SM/SN oils are actually superior. Older vehicles with flat tappets have seen some cam lobe wear issues due to the reduction in ZDDP in SM+ oils. Newer vehicles it is not an issue for the most part but they aren't always better is my point.Thanks for the heads-up NHPatriot - the new SN spec slipped by me. It is only getting better; every new letter denotes a fairly significant improvement over the previous one.
One of the biggest advantages of these modern oils is the tremendous shear strength. That's what has allowed manufacturers to start spec-ing 5w-20 and still be confident in the protection level in pretty much all conditions. This kind of film and shear strength just wasn't possible in the oils of just a few designations past. It also eeks them out an MPG or two for the ever-present mileage game between the consumers and CAFE regs.
There's really no reason to mess with viscosity changes, it's just not necessary. These oils are extremely good.