What oil you use?

38769 Views 47 Replies 18 Participants Last post by 2011LT2, Jul 7, 2011

airgumby

Discussion Starter · Jun 20, 2011

I'm curious what's the best oil to use for a 2011 Equinox V6 model? When I had my Saturn VUE and I always used Mobil 1 synthetic. Any specific oil brand or full synthetic you guys use/recommend?

1 - 20 of 48 Posts

dwendt44

· #2 · Jun 20, 2011

If you are happy with Mobil-1 oils, stay with them.
the Dexos spec is a blend, so most any full synthetic oil is a step up from there.

Note that Mobil-1 oils seem to show high iron on oil analysis. No one knows why exactly.
I'm about to shift to Pennzoil Platinum myself, cost reasons mostly.

airgumby

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 20, 2011

Interesting... Maybe I'll check out the Pennzoil like yourself if a high iron is showing up in the Mobil... Thanks for your feedback

rbarrios

· #4 · Jun 20, 2011

Yup-- Mobil 1 5W-30 shows high iron in the 3.6L DI engines in the Traverse, Acadia, Enclave, Outlook.
I personnally use regular Dino- Valvoline 5W-30 in my Traverse. with 5000 mile oil changes- my Used oil analysis- are WAYYYYY better than Mobil 1 UOA Ive seen. WAYYY lower Iron numbers too.

Many owners of the vehicles mentioned above- have started using Penzz Plat. after seeing so many bad UOA with Mobil 1.

If youre in COLD winter areas- Penn Plat will be for you.
If you live in places like the west coast-- (like me)- then regular Valvoline may be for you.

In my case- I do 5000 mile oil changes. It makes no sense to buy and use Mobil 1 or another expensive Synthetic-- when I KNOW from my Used oil analysis- that my $2.40 per quart Valvoline is doing extremely well for me at 5000 mile intervals.

So what im trying to say is--- use an oil and then get several Used oil analysis. Then make an informed decision on your oil- your driving style- and your weather conditions.

I have posted my UOA on BITOG

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dishdude

· #5 · Jun 20, 2011

Can't go wrong with -

Pennzoil Platinum
Quaker State Ultimate Durability
Mobil 1

All 3 are Dexos licensed and readily available quality oils.

43sbest

· #6 · Jun 21, 2011

rbarrios said:
Yup-- Mobil 1 5W-30 shows high iron in the 3.6L DI engines in the Traverse, Acadia, Enclave, Outlook.
I personnally use regular Dino- Valvoline 5W-30 in my Traverse. with 5000 mile oil changes- my Used oil analysis- are WAYYYYY better than Mobil 1 UOA Ive seen. WAYYY lower Iron numbers too.

Many owners of the vehicles mentioned above- have started using Penzz Plat. after seeing so many bad UOA with Mobil 1.

If youre in COLD winter areas- Penn Plat will be for you.
If you live in places like the west coast-- (like me)- then regular Valvoline may be for you.

In my case- I do 5000 mile oil changes. It makes no sense to buy and use Mobil 1 or another expensive Synthetic-- when I KNOW from my Used oil analysis- that my $2.40 per quart Valvoline is doing extremely well for me at 5000 mile intervals.

So what im trying to say is--- use an oil and then get several Used oil analysis. Then make an informed decision on your oil- your driving style- and your weather conditions.

I have posted my UOA on BITOG

To each his own!
Sorry but I have to dissagree with you on Mobil 1 and agree with dishdude; any of those would be good.

"Mobil 1 is a very popular synthetic oil; in fact, its website advertises it as, "the world's leading synthetic motor oil." Mobil 1 is a bit pricey, but not quite as much as brands like Amsoil. Most car manufacturers use Mobil 1 in their factories, according to Bestcovery.com, which ranked Mobil 1 third on its top three list. In API test results, listed at Smartsynthetics.com, Mobil 1 was head-to-head with Amsoil in almost every category. Mobil 1 will provide superior protection for your vehicle's motor, as well as excellent fuel efficiency. Based on a quick web price comparison, a quart of Mobil 1 runs around $8.00, midway between Pennzoil Platinum and Amsoil."

http://www.bestcovery.com/best-synthetic-oil

RNOX

· #7 · Jun 21, 2011

43sbest said:
To each his own!
Sorry but I have to dissagree with you on Mobil 1 and agree with dishdude; any of those would be good.

"Mobil 1 is a very popular synthetic oil; in fact, its website advertises it as, "the world's leading synthetic motor oil." Mobil 1 is a bit pricey, but not quite as much as brands like Amsoil. Most car manufacturers use Mobil 1 in their factories, according to Bestcovery.com, which ranked Mobil 1 third on its top three list. In API test results, listed at Smartsynthetics.com, Mobil 1 was head-to-head with Amsoil in almost every category. Mobil 1 will provide superior protection for your vehicle's motor, as well as excellent fuel efficiency. Based on a quick web price comparison, a quart of Mobil 1 runs around $8.00, midway between Pennzoil Platinum and Amsoil."

http://www.bestcovery.com/best-synthetic-oil

Your quoteing from a web site that is basically an advertisment. I do however own a lot of XOM stock so PLEASE buy Mobil 1 :thumb:

2011LT2

· #8 · Jun 21, 2011

Is there need to change the oil every 5000 miles, or is that when the system said it was time?

I may try Rotella T5 synthetic blend if Wal-Mart or someone carries it in the right multi-weight

airgumby

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 21, 2011

I did use Mobil 1 on my Saturn 2004 VUE AWD V6. I used it to trade in for the Equinox. I had 198,000 miles on it. Never had a oil leak. The only thing I did get with the engine was a surge when staying at a constant speed in the tachometer. The Saturn placed said it was a build up of carbon... I don't think it was that. Anyway, I went straight to a high-end oil because I really think spending the extra cash on oil is/was a good investment for myself. I think I'll try the Penzoil Platinum...

What oil filter do you guys use? I used Mobil 1 everything on the Saturn. Is there a specific oil filter that is top notch? Or really recommended?

dishdude

· #10 · Jun 21, 2011

Wix or Purolator for oil filters on the V6, for the 4 cyl I would go with AC Delco as it is made by Hengst, the same company that build the housing it sits in.

43sbest

· #11 · Jun 21, 2011

RNOX said:
Your quoteing from a web site that is basically an advertisment. I do however own a lot of XOM stock so PLEASE buy Mobil 1 :thumb:

Please be my guest and post a link to a review/test of oils that indicates Mobil 1 is not one of the best. I guess all the car makers that use it as a factory fill don't know anything about oil.

Apparently the vast majority of people that voted in the "what oil are you going to use" pole picked the wrong one also because Mobil 1 is the winner by a wide margin.

Exxon stock is not a favorite of mine; I'm more into IBM, MCD, FDO and a few others for the last couple of years.

My suggestion to all is to use whatever oil you want---------it's your vehicle.

43sbest

· #12 · Jun 21, 2011

dishdude said:
Wix or Purolator for oil filters on the V6, for the 4 cyl I would go with AC Delco as it is made by Hengst, the same company that build the housing it sits in.

I believe the Delco filter is actually made by Champion Labs.; they also make the Mobile 1 filter.
Champion Labs
1-800-882-0890

dishdude

· #13 · Jun 21, 2011

43sbest said:
I believe the Delco filter is actually made by Champion Labs.; they also make the Mobile 1 filter.
Champion Labs
1-800-882-0890

For the V6 spin on filters, you would be correct. For the I-4, it's Hengst.

tsduke

· #14 · Jun 21, 2011

43sbest said:
Please be my guest and post a link to a review/test of oils that indicates Mobil 1 is not one of the best. I guess all the car makers that use it as a factory fill don't know anything about oil.

Apparently the vast majority of people that voted in the "what oil are you going to use" pole picked the wrong one also because Mobil 1 is the winner by a wide margin.

Exxon stock is not a favorite of mine; I'm more into IBM, MCD, FDO and a few others for the last couple of years.

My suggestion to all is to use whatever oil you want---------it's your vehicle.

Nobody is saying Mobil1 is a bad oil. Only that it hasn't done as well in UOA's as other synthetics in DI engines. IMO, Mobil1 is as big and popular as it is purely because of years of Marketing hype. For many years it was all most people thought of when it came to synthetic.

RNOX

· #15 · Jun 21, 2011

43sbest said:
Please be my guest and post a link to a review/test of oils that indicates Mobil 1 is not one of the best. I guess all the car makers that use it as a factory fill don't know anything about oil.

Apparently the vast majority of people that voted in the "what oil are you going to use" pole picked the wrong one also because Mobil 1 is the winner by a wide margin.

Exxon stock is not a favorite of mine; I'm more into IBM, MCD, FDO and a few others for the last couple of years.

My suggestion to all is to use whatever oil you want---------it's your vehicle.

All I'm saying is instead of posting words from a company that sells something post a site or review of oils. I'm sure companies compete to get their oil mentioned by a high end manufactor so they can make claims in advertisements. Companies market to get a consumer to buy their oil. I don't know which oil is best and I doubt someone other than an oil engineer can make any claim. IBM is a horrible company that ships many US, Canadian and European jobs to India, China and Brazil and is abusive to employess (It used to be a great place to work). However I do own IBM stock too. I've done very well with my XOM stock :cheers: Bought it at a VERY LOW price

bigb12359

· #16 · Jun 21, 2011

keeping it simple.... staying with GM Dexos Oil. 5w30 . :beer:

mIX

· #17 · Jun 21, 2011

I use Pennzoil Platinum with a NAPA Gold filter. (Wix)

rbarrios

· #18 · Jun 21, 2011

Mobil 1 seems to be touted by many users in their previous autos. Ok, 'normal' engines.
On the lambda forums- many say- Mobil 1 is great. Ive used it with great luck (yeah in older engines).
But then they use it in the Direct Injected engine-- and wham!!! HIGH iron. It is even worse for those in Cold weather.

Im talking about seeing UOA of Mobil 1 with iron count that is sometimes up to 5 times higher than my Valvoline dino.
We have seen enough of these UOA- that many DI engine owners have switched to other synthetics- and guess what happens? Iron Drops.
Here is a classic example of what many have seen. Iron numbers RISE when Mobil 1 is used . here is what the OP said (this was posted on the Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook forum).

"this report reflects 1 analysis with re-refined oil, then the next 2 with Mobil 1 (you can see the ppm #s jumping, expecially iron), then the next 3 are with Pennzoil Platinum where the favorable downward trending is seen. Definitely, using this oil along with NOT extending the oil change interval beyond 3,000 to 3,500 as well as the AC filter (switching to the PF63) should minimize any excessive wear issues and give an owner peace of mind...just driving her."

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rbarrios

· #19 · Jun 21, 2011

Nice quote from a member on Bob is the oil guy- after another Mobil 1 UOA was posted with IRON level of 101-

'Time and time again bad Mobil 1 results with only 4,000 miles . Try Valvoline Synpower or PP and I guarantee your results will be much better. If you want too use a conventional Pennzoil , Valvoline , Havoline will all give better results then this Mobil 1 garbage.'

heres the link to the UOA.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1899170&page=1

rbarrios

· #20 · Jun 21, 2011

Another UOA with PP- nice iron levels for 8000 miles.

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