No choice of engine oils

Arkay

The main thing is that the oils used are the correct viscosity rating (15W-40 or what ever) and the compliance to at least the letters that show what specification (CD or SF etc depending on whether diesel or petrol), as per your handbook.

If a dealer does that, your engine will not suffer. Do it yourselfers have fun debating the enhancements beyond that, and that's really about how much more value you get above the minimum and whether it is worth the extra cost.

As for why the oil companies advertise - that's like asking why you keep getting phone calls from polite people living overseas offering all sorts of wonderful benefits. A curse upon them all!! Just read the ads on ExplorOz - they at least are finely targeted and may be of interest.

But - provided you have got minimum specification oils put in your car by dealers who have stamped your book your car and resale will be fine.

Max

I am lucky the dealer who services my Toyota uses the same Castrol oil I would use anyhow. The dealer must use the correct oil so no big deal. But take your point, perhaps the oil companies are trying to convince the dealers as well..?? LOL

I hated the Mobil One they use in my Merc, it's too thin and after 5000km's the engine get's noisy on start up but not while the oil is new. I would prefer a slightly thicker oil but didn't have a choice unless I did it myself.

The subject of OILS can go on forever, ask various engine builders on the use of synthetic oil vs mineral during break in periods, or semi-synthetic etc etc, it's a topic for a long night with quite a few beers.

What's your favourite OIL..??

I can agree with most of your post, but how do you come to the the conclusion - "Which can't be good for it."

I've used Valvoline Super Diesel, Penzoill Long Life, Castrol RX Super in my current 4wd and I don't know what was used before 50,000kms on it. I can't see how my engine would be in better condition now if I had only used 1 of those brands.

I'm no expert at all on this, but all the oils I use are suitable for my car and are of a good quality.

So my question is, how bad could it be to use different brands of good quality motor oil for different oil changes? Specifically, can I expect my engine wear to increase, or my turbo bearings' life to shorten? By how much?

Pete

I have always used Penrite oil in my 2 pajeros over the last 20 years.
Oil is a personel thing.
But my mechanic has changed oil brands about 5 times, and the dealers where using something different again when they were under warranty.

So when I get the occasional service done by my mechanic, I just have a couple of bottles of my penrite in the car for them to use. Was the same with the dealer.
Checked it with them first that they would be happy to use my oil, and they said OK.
Otherwise they wouldn't have got my business.
Of course the real pessimists would say they just put my oil in thier own car or drain and use what they want :o)

Hi Arky,

For the last 25 years my vehicles have been serviced by Holden dealers.

I have always supplied my own engine oil. They have never opposed this practice and been very positive about it.

I have now a Nissan and the dealer I have contacted is happy for me to provide my oil. Be sure of course that it is of the correct grade and viscosity as recommended by the manufacturer.

Thanks for the interest and replies forumites. It seems that rather than oils 'aint being oils, in fact oils are just that - oils. Agree though that it important that you consistently use the right basis oil i.e. viscosity rating, petrol / diesel approved, etc.