Thoughts on cheap oil?

[Dustin Jackson]

Prompted by a really expensive oil change on my fiancés car I decided to try and see how cheap of an oil change I could get for my Tahoe by doing it myself.

I used 6 quarts of Walmart SuperTech Full Synthetic 5w-30 dexos oil with an AcDelco PF63 oil filter. Total was under $40 I think.

The only concern I had was on the first startup I think I had some slight knocking while oil pressure was building, I did prefill the oil filter. Is that normal?

Other than that I haven't had any issues, but it has me wondering is running cheap oil bad? Are there any concerns that I should have? My thought process is cheap clean oil is better than old oil.

 

[Geotrash]

Prompted by a really expensive oil change on my fiancés car I decided to try and see how cheap of an oil change I could get for my Tahoe by doing it myself.

I used 6 quarts of Walmart SuperTech Full Synthetic 5w-30 dexos oil with an AcDelco PF63 oil filter. Total was under $40 I think.

The only concern I had was on the first startup I think I had some slight knocking while oil pressure was building, I did prefill the oil filter. Is that normal?

Other than that I haven't had any issues, but it has me wondering is running cheap oil bad? Are there any concerns that I should have? My thought process is cheap clean oil is better than old oil.

The Walmart full synthetic oil is all I run in my '07. It's actually good quality stuff.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

There are certification standards for motor oil, and if the Walmart brand of oil meets those standards, I would not be concerned.

 

[Geotrash]

There are certification standards for motor oil, and it the Walmart brand of oil meets those standards, I would not be concerned.

It is indeed DexOS certified.

 

[Marky Dissod]

... it has me wondering, is running cheap oil bad?

Running bad oil is bad.
I won't run 'API SM', or older oil - API SN SP or SP+.
Group4 Synthetic 0W30 or 5W30 every oil change. I'll ALLOW whatever 5W30 between oil changes (every 3500 miles).

If you hunt enough to get lucky, the cheapest is almost always bad, but the most expensive is seldom the best.
Does not only apply to oil ...

 

[mikez71]

My thought process is cheap clean oil is better than old oil.

That's how I always felt, usually problem is getting around to changing it!
Still always get Mobil1, seems priced reasonably at walmart.. Hoping Mobil 1 still good?

 

[Geotrash]

Still always get Mobil1, seems priced reasonably at walmart.. Hoping Mobil 1 still good?

I ran a '99 Isuzu Rodeo to 300K on Mobil1 (3-5k mile oil changes), which is unheard of for that engine. Most of them die (rod bearing failure) long before 200K.

 

[Art Contoni]

Another interesting thread...Always wondered about Walmart oil and when I couldn't find conventional oil for my Daughters 99 & 00 Camry's I just bought two jugs of the Full Synthetic for their next changes.

 

[iamdub]

Another interesting thread...Always wondered about Walmart oil and when I couldn't find conventional oil for my Daughters 99 & 00 Camry's I just bought two jugs of the Full Synthetic for their next changes.

It'll be perfectly fine. Just change it every 5K unless it gets really dirty before then. Those are 500K-mile cars when cared for and will rust apart before the powertrain dies.

 

[swathdiver]

Prompted by a really expensive oil change on my fiancés car I decided to try and see how cheap of an oil change I could get for my Tahoe by doing it myself.

I used 6 quarts of Walmart SuperTech Full Synthetic 5w-30 dexos oil with an AcDelco PF63 oil filter. Total was under $40 I think.

The only concern I had was on the first startup I think I had some slight knocking while oil pressure was building, I did prefill the oil filter. Is that normal?

Other than that I haven't had any issues, but it has me wondering is running cheap oil bad? Are there any concerns that I should have? My thought process is cheap clean oil is better than old oil.

If my motor rattles on start up it's not good enough for my trucks. This is why ACDelco oil is used in ours.

Most of the oils out there have viscosity numbers that are quite low. ACDelco, the old Shell Rotella Gas Truck and RedLine have the highest numbers.

 

[intheburbs]

If you really want to go down a rabbit hole, go visit Bob Is The Oil Guy

Crazy-technical forum full of oil geeks.

Bottom line - Kirkland (Costco), Super Tech (Walmart) and Amazon Basics full synthetics are all good to go.

Whenever my local Walmart has the 5w30 jugs in stock, I neckbeard at least 4 or 5.

 

[Art Contoni]

The 99 is just about to turn over 300K - Been a great cheap car for her. Was just concerned with starting oil consumption if I went to synth.

 

[OR VietVet]

I have seen Mobil 1 sell for less money than Amazon Basics full synthetic oil.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

If my motor rattles on start up it's not good enough for my trucks. This is why ACDelco oil is used in ours.

Most of the oils out there have viscosity numbers that are quite low. ACDelco, the old Shell Rotella Gas Truck and RedLine have the highest numbers.

I only heard the rattling on the first start after the oil change but maybe it was one of my kids scooter or something. Since the oil change I've remote started with my head in the wheel well both cold and hot starts and no more sounds of concern, just the first time after changing the oil.

Looks like you can get quite a bit of kirkland oil for $75 so I might go that route in the future if its all good

 

[Dustin Jackson]

The 99 is just about to turn over 300K - Been a great cheap car for her. Was just concerned with starting oil consumption if I went to synth.

As far as I know it's ok to move from conventional to full synthetic but you don't want to go the other way around. I have a buddy with a 67 impala and he is adamant about strictly using "dinosaur juice" (conventional) oil in the motor.

 

[waveryd]

I had a 1996 Chevy Suburban that I bought in 1998 with very low mileage. I serviced the vehicle myself and owned it for 20 years. I traded it to a friend of mine with 600,000 miles on it and the engine runs perfectly and uses/leaks less than a quart of oil in 4000 mi. That vehicle never had anything in it except Walmart oil and Walmart oil filters. There are two basic types of oil: clean oil and dirty oil. If you change it frequently clean oil, regardless of brand, is excellent insurance for longevity.

 

[the 18th letter]

I had a 1996 Chevy Suburban that I bought in 1998 with very low mileage. I serviced the vehicle myself and owned it for 20 years. I traded it to a friend of mine with 600,000 miles on it and the engine runs perfectly and uses/leaks less than a quart of oil in 4000 mi. That vehicle never had anything in it except Walmart oil and Walmart oil filters. There are two basic types of oil: clean oil and dirty oil. If you change it frequently clean oil, regardless of brand, is excellent insurance for longevity.

My 99 with 153k has used primarily (occasionally I’ll catch a sale on a brand name that’s better than WM prices) Walmart oil with no issues. Doing the 1st change in the 15 this week and will go with Walmart again. I wonder the oil brands make watered down versions of their own product for Walmart like Tide does?

 

[blackelky]

Prompted by a really expensive oil change on my fiancés car I decided to try and see how cheap of an oil change I could get for my Tahoe by doing it myself.

I used 6 quarts of Walmart SuperTech Full Synthetic 5w-30 dexos oil with an AcDelco PF63 oil filter. Total was under $40 I think.

The only concern I had was on the first startup I think I had some slight knocking while oil pressure was building, I did prefill the oil filter. Is that normal?

Other than that I haven't had any issues, but it has me wondering is running cheap oil bad? Are there any concerns that I should have? My thought process is cheap clean oil is better than old oil.

Idk my dealer has coupons for 60$ for 6 quarts synthetic and tire rotation. I'd check your dealer's website for coupons. Used to change the oil in all my cars until i found most of the time it's cheaper for them to do it with the coupons.

 

[Sparksalot]

Prompted by a really expensive oil change on my fiancés car I decided to try and see how cheap of an oil change I could get for my Tahoe by doing it myself.

I used 6 quarts of Walmart SuperTech Full Synthetic 5w-30 dexos oil with an AcDelco PF63 oil filter. Total was under $40 I think.

The only concern I had was on the first startup I think I had some slight knocking while oil pressure was building, I did prefill the oil filter. Is that normal?

Other than that I haven't had any issues, but it has me wondering is running cheap oil bad? Are there any concerns that I should have? My thought process is cheap clean oil is better than old oil.

I had images of this fine grade SA stuff. Of course you gotta be old as the rocks to remember it.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Just an update for you guys.

The Walmart oil was great, I got about 4 thousand miles in it and I could have run it a lot longer.

I got a good deal on a bunch of Costco Kirkland oil and I am currently running that.

I think as long as the cheap oil is Dexos certified you’ll be good to go and make sure to use a good oil filter.