legacyak Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 I am curious to know if all synthetic oils are basically the same. Are there only marginal differences between leading synthetic brands? I probably know the answer to this, but is generic full synthetic oil pretty much the same as a brand name synthetic such as (10W30 Quaker State, Pennzoil, Castrol, Mobile1, etc.)? If not, what synthetic oil is the best for price? I personally think oil is important enough to not go cheap on, but what is the most cost effective synthetic? Thanks all my fellow happy Subaru lovers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnW Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Did you try searching this one? I hate to open this can of worms again (synthetic oil debates). Theres also TONS of google searches that would probably compare some. IMO Penn, quaker, etc aren't meant for a Subaru. Mobil1 and Valvoline are the best IMO. Amsoil and other not so major oil company oils seem to really have some quality and backing around here too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legacyak Posted October 24, 2006 Author Share Posted October 24, 2006 Why aren't Pennzoil and Quaker state oils meant for a subaru? I've lately been using Pennzoil Platinum 10W30 and it's been good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vic/se Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Why aren't Pennzoil and Quaker state oils meant for a subaru? I've lately been using Pennzoil Platinum 10W30 and it's been good. I use Mobil1 or Castrol synt. whichever is cheaper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 this gets asked all the time, use the search button and read yourself asleep.... I've lately been using Pennzoil Platinum 10W30 and it's been good. he's not saying using those oils will immediately incinerate every car they are used in. there's lots of debate and little quantitative useful information to the average car owner. yes there are differences, but the bottom line seems to be that the net results of those differences don't amount to anything substantial/functional in the real world (my oppinion). in other words...you're much more likely to have water pump, alternator, suspension, driveshaft, transmission or some other problem before the fact that you used "X" oil ruins your engine or keeps you from making it to 200,000 or 300,000 miles. change your blah blah blah synthetic oil on time and subaru's make 200,000 miles no problem, period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine73 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 The basestocks in synthetic oils of course are either group IV (PAO) and/or group V (ester), and some companies will say group III is synthetic although is actually made from petroleum. There are different quality levels of basestocks. The additive pack is critical also as you need quality AW anti-wear and other additives (antioxidants, etc.) and there are many types available to the oil blender, some are cheap and some cost more. If you look at the specs on various oils, you will see many differences between the pour point, flash point, TBN, viscosity at various temperatures, HT/HS, etc., all of which must be weighed determining on the application. Often, the blenders buy the additive packs from places like Lubrizol, who then suggests a basestock to use with it to meet the target specifications such as API-Swhatever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LanceGillette Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Here in Fairbanks Alaska it can get very cold (-50 F or colder) and I don't have a garage so I use the Mobile 1. Car starts pretty good after it has been plugged in for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jib Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 I use Mobil1 or Castrol synt. whichever is cheaper Mobil 1 is a full synthetic, Castrol Syntec is a synthetic blend. They are two entirely different oils and not comparable. Personally, I only use full synthetics. Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vic/se Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Mobil 1 is a full synthetic, Castrol Syntec is a synthetic blend. They are two entirely different oils and not comparable Sorry jack but you're wrong on these one. Castrol syntec is a full synthetic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine73 Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Wasn't this the issue that whole law suit was about? I think Castrol said group III basestocks are synthetic, someone suing them said no they're not synthetic because they're a highly refined petroleum product, but I don't remember the outcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drquasievil Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 I think that if you change the oil every 3K miles, then Syntetic does not pay for itself. However, If you have multiple cars and tend to forget to change the oil on a regular basis, then Syntetic can save you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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