1993-VG30E-GXE

Wondering if this had an adverse affect on fuel economy.

It turns out I can't go with AMSOIL. Pricing too bad in Canada, so I found a possible replacement - Shell Rotella T Synthetic but it only comes in 5W-40, not 5W-30 as is 'recommended' in our service manual.

Any drawbacks to using the 5W-40? I read someone in some other car, it felt 'sluggish at times'...

BenStoked

iTrader: (7)

that seems kinda thick, especially for the current weather. have you checked on mobil1 full synth?

ve30max

iTrader: (2)

Do you have experience with Mobil1 full synthetic? I think I want to use it from now on based on a mechanic buddies recommendation. My father told me to be careful with synthetic in old engines considering the molecules themselves are smaller and more likely to escape or travel through smaller gaps the engine may have acquired over the years: while using conventional I might add.

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

the molecules are not smaller. oil is oil. synthetics are more uniform since there's less "other stuff" in them with longer hydrocarbon chains.

but Mobil 1 is just fine. been using it for years. I use it in all my daily drivers now.

BenStoked

iTrader: (7)

I, too have been running full synth for the past year or so. more available than the other brands, and my car seems to enjoy it. it still has some clarity to it when I change the oil, vs. the Valvoline dyno I was using before.

Stwodahorty

iTrader: (4)

my mechanic also told me it wont be good for the car

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

old mechanics tale left over from when it was actually true.
It used to be that there were more detergents in synthetic than regular oil.
that is no longer the case, the same detergents are used in both in order to meet the API specs.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Should be fine. 5-40 viscosity range is rather large but Rotella has the addtives to make it work. It's stout oil as it's for diesels.

I don't have a manual, but I'm pretty sure a synthetic 40 weight is just fine for a motor originally put into the 3-gen in 1989 and has roots back to 1984.5

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

don't know if I'd put it in with this weather, but I wouldn't have a problem with a 5-30 in your climate. 5-40 in summer would be okay though.

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

thats what i always thought. the previous owner of my 92 used Mobil 1 (i dont think synthetic) and i switched to Castrol synthetic a few oil changes after i got the car and there was a noticable difference

maxitech

iTrader: (7)

Even the truck?

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

Mobil 1 is a full synthetic.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

The Rotella synthetic should flow fine if the cold pours are like a gas burning synethetic. Which is should be. Running a dino 5-40 might have a problem

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

I said Daily Drivers didn't I? How often do I drive my truck?

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Mobil 1 except for it's 0w 40 is a group III dino with additives to technically call it a synthetic. Still a fine oil

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

oic. looks like my 3rd gen has always had synthetic then

1993-VG30E-GXE

Reason I brought up the Shell one is I wouldn't have to buy that expensive Comp Cams ZDDP for every oil change,as the shell already has it. The shell one doesn't meet SM, but it meets SL, SJ, SH.

Also you guys running those full synthetics, for extreme service interval, do you double it and extend the drain interval out to 7,500 Mi

I figure if I switch to synthetic it's less annoying labor to change the oil every 3,750 Mi interval like our manual says for dino....plus you don't need to buy as many filters.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Have you read any problems with cam wear here on this forums? I haven't. It's probably not a big concern with the VG motor. Although running the Rotella is a nice stout and cheap synthetic.

Why not run the 10w 30?

http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?...t5_detail.html

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

there is also a plain Mobil as well

ve30max

iTrader: (2)

I have been told that Mobil is the oldest oil maufacturer. Don't know if this is true or not, some of you guys sem to know a bit about the topic. Any thoughts?

1993-VG30E-GXE

I haven't read any, I experienced it first hand. Was it exactly because of the oil? Could be, could not be, I have no scientific proof. I'm pretty sure the yr was 2004 when the ZDDP was removed from the current oil. My LH cylinder head was on it's way out, and it was because of either the camshaft and/or lifters, so I did a major overhaul on the VG30E. Problem was solved when I put the new camshaft and new lifters back in.

The original 3rd Gen oil rating was SG, and I'm pretty sure this particular Shell Rotella T I mention has close to the same amount still in it. AMSOIL (which I was very close to getting) is out of the question, the price is way too high in Canada.

I'll read up more on the 5W-40, but Matt, i've been reading cases of people saying that they lost 5% fuel economy when going to the 40 weight, over the 30. So that's a good point on it being possible 'too thick'. Plus a couple of guys said it felt sluggish. I need to use it yr around too.

1993-VG30E-GXE

I guess if you trace it back to Standard Oil, but standard oil broke up a long time ago into separate companies (12 I think), like Halliburton, Exxon, Mobil, then Exxon & Mobil went to bed together. etc...

Standard Oil originally sold oil under the ESSO brand, which still exists in Europe and Canada, which is owned by Exxon-Mobil. Now in Canada they re-branded their ESSO motor oil with the Mobil container...dropped the ESSO. But ESSO (Imperial Oil) is still one of Canada's biggest oil companies...Exxon-Mobil being their biggest shareholder.

maxinout93

I think on my last oil change I used 10w-40 shell brand oil from pep boys. It seemed like the engine felt a little sluggish at times, and also seemed to take a little longer to start than normal.