What is the best brand of motor oil?

[shp4man]

A loaded question for sure, but I just heard some dude seriously trashing Pennzoil. Is Penz that bad in your opinion? I remember Quaker State had some issues a few years ago.
When I buy oil, I usually go for a gas station brand like Exxon or Chevron figuring it's cheaper and just as good- what do you think?

[Byteme]

A loaded question for sure, but I just heard some dude seriously trashing Pennzoil. Is Penz that bad in your opinion? I remember Quaker State had some issues a few years ago.
When I buy oil, I usually go for a gas station brand like Exxon or Chevron figuring it's cheaper and just as good- what do you think?

I only used Castrol in the jaguar.

The other cars, I use Pennzoil or Quaker State or Motorcraft synthetic blend.

Never used it but I heard good things about Walmart's store brand.  If I were driving an older car that I didn't plan on keeping forever I'd use it in a heartbeat.

[Soup DeVille]

There's some current controversy about modern zinc-free motor oil and high performance flat-tappet cams. I'm not entirely convinced, but the only oil I use in the Caddy ( or will use I guess since the engine has run all of about 10 minutes in its lifespan) is Valvoline VR-1 ( an off-highway only oil).

Other than that, I doubt it matters.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Motorcraft synthetic blend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or Supertech.

I don't know why, but Penzzoil smells just AwFUL. Therefore,'I never use it. Yes, the smell matters
to me.

[Soup DeVille]

Motorcraft synthetic blend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or Supertech.

I don't know why, but Penzzoil smells just AwFUL. Therefore,'I never use it. Yes, the smell matters
to me.

Are you wearing it as cologne?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Are you wearing it as cologne?

Sometimes, and not intentionally.

[280Z Turbo]

A black satin one, in 32DD

[MexicoCityM3]

I have only used OEM Castrol so far, no problems. But I do have a gallon or two of LiquiMoly that I will try next.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

All my vehicles get Castrol.

[Rupert]

I usually just go for any major brand, but Mobil 1 is my default "best".

[Cookie Monster]

Castrol

[2o6]

In the main forum I keep reading the title as "What is the best bra?" 

[93JC]

In the main forum I keep reading the title as "What is the best bra?" 

A black satin one, in 32DD

[shp4man]

[S204STi]

I use Subaru's branded synthetic.  A buck more than the Valvoline I was using, and it has eliminated that annoying cold-start piston slap that Subaru's have had historically, mine included.

[93JC]

I had no idea people were "brand loyal" when it came to motor oil. I've used Mobil, Quaker State, Castrol, Valvoline, Pennzoil and a couple of the gas station brands (Petro-Canada and Esso) when I was in need and didn't have the time to find a store that carried a selection. I don't use anything more expensive than that (I'm thinking Amsoil and Royal Purple when I say this) because I don't think it's worth it, and I don't use anything cheaper than that because I question the quality of the discount ("Wal-Mart") stuff.


Do you guys buy gasoline from particular stations too? I go for whatever's least expensive and have had Esso, Shell, Husky, Co-op, Chevron (in BC), Safeway, Exxon (in Montana) and Mohawk. I've been buying Safeway gas because it's 5¢/L cheaper than most. I've even bought gas from independent stations in little podunk towns.

[Rupert]

Depends on the car. Explorer, I'm not so picky about. I'll fill up pretty much anywhere. 944 gets major brand gas if I can help it (Shell and Chevron are my preferred for no good reason).

[mzziaz]

I buy the pricier types of the cheaper brands, ie. cheap synthetic.

The head gasket on my Scorpio blew after I filled it with 5w-50 so now I try to find the correct viscosities too.

[r0tor]

The absolute best is Mobil1 synthetic... If you really need that level of protection is another story

[S204STi]

The absolute best is Mobil1 synthetic... If you really need that level of protection is another story

That's highly debatable, for that matter.  Lots of folks who obsess over this sort of thing tend to shy away from Mobil 1, at least in recent history.  Haven't checked to see if they improved in the last couple of years.

For the majority of buyers, go with what the owner's manual recommends and you'll be good.  Or basically, anything with the API Sunburst symbol and an SM rating is going to protect your engine just fine.  If you want extra protection an oil rated for diesel use wouldn't hurt.

[Raza]

I usually just go for any major brand, but Mobil 1 is my default "best".

Yeah, that's what I go for as well. 

[hotrodalex]

Do you guys buy gasoline from particular stations too? I go for whatever's least expensive and have had Esso, Shell, Husky, Co-op, Chevron (in BC), Safeway, Exxon (in Montana) and Mohawk. I've been buying Safeway gas because it's 5?/L cheaper than most. I've even bought gas from independent stations in little podunk towns.

Shell, because we have a Shell credit card that has a discount. Although I think that will be changing soon, so technically I could fill up anywhere. I'd prefer Shell or BP, though. Just seems like they have better quality gas.

[280Z Turbo]

The Focus gets Motorcraft synthetic blend 5W-20. The racecars get Mobil 1 10W-40 High Mileage. The Z gets Mobil 1 10W-30 High Mileage.

Those are my preferences.

[MexicoCityM3]

Pemex.

[shp4man]

Pemex.

Ya. Do you have any choices?

[r0tor]

That's highly debatable, for that matter.  Lots of folks who obsess over this sort of thing tend to shy away from Mobil 1, at least in recent history.  Haven't checked to see if they improved in the last couple of years.

For the majority of buyers, go with what the owner's manual recommends and you'll be good.  Or basically, anything with the API Sunburst symbol and an SM rating is going to protect your engine just fine.  If you want extra protection an oil rated for diesel use wouldn't hurt.

I was in their labs... It really is that damn good

[El Barto]

I put Mobil 1 in the Saab.

[MrH]

Mobil 1 here.

[Mustangfan2003]

I got Royal Purple in my Mustang

[93JC]

The head gasket on my Scorpio blew after I filled it with 5w-50 so now I try to find the correct viscosities too.