I got back my oil analysis today from Dyson/Blackstone. This is the synthetic oil house branded by Wally World (5W/30). I ran this in my wife's 2001 Honda Accord w/68K miles at a 5K interval with a Wally World filter (Champion Labs). Comparative samples were provided for TBN and the results were compared to the last analysis done at 32K. Previous oil was WM house brand dino at 3K intervals.

All solids were either not present (0) or were way below site and universal averages, as they always have been. No fluid contaminants (fuel, water, anti-freeze). Nominal viscosity change (!) and only minmal variation from TBN (TBN - 10, TBN at interval 8.2 - anything down to 2 is still acceptable according to their analysis). I thought I read somewhere that the TBN on Mobil 1 is 12 so it is clearly made of better "stuff" but it only matters in the declination of the number.

Recommendations to extend the change interval, retest at extended interval.

Don't know how much this really tells me since it's only one cycle and I had similar results on the dino oil at 3K intervals (except for viscosity and variance to TBN which were always present but within normal ranges). It does however tell me that the WM synthetic is better than the dino oil, has the capability for somewhat extended change intervals (7.5K?) and is cheapter than the other synthetics (as are their fitlers). I just did a dino change on the Runner so will not get a chance to convert over until 12K miles (9K now) but I will send a sample from the Yota after two changes with the synthetic and see what I end up with. As always, this is not a recommendation, just my results and YMMV.

As a footnote, the overall engine analysis was minimal wear. About two years ago, I had a company car that was subject to anwhere from 7.5 to 10K intervals with dino oil and I had it tested at around the same mileage and engine wear was excessive (of course, it was a Ford product so who knows). It does seem that more frequent oil changes, with even house brand oils, is the best thing you can do for your engine (of course, you already knew that).

 

Tom, that's interesting info. Do you happen to remember what the cost of WM's synth 5-30 was per quart?

Mick

 

I think WM's syn oil goes for about 2.37 a quart.. I bought a quart a few weeks ago.. it was somewhere around there, because the Mobil 1 was like 3.94

 

I bought it in the "convenient" 5qt bottles for $11.88 a bottle. They had it in quart bottles at $2.97 (if I remember correctly). The 5 quart is nice because it does the entire change in one bottle and it's a little cheaper that way.

 

Well, the price is definitely low...It would be interesting to find out who makes the oil for WM and I assume it meets all manufacturer's warranty.

I couldn't find anything on their website but maybe we can find some specs or independent testing done on wear etc.?

This is the kind of info that helps make decisions: http://www.amsoil.com/products/asl.html

Amsoil has also done a lot of independent testing against other popular oils.

Mick

 

I was told by the store manager Pennzoil but read another opinion that it was Quaker State. I think Pennzoil makes their dino oil but they may actually change suppliers as time goes by. With Wal-Mart, it's all about price and so whoever is quoting the best price that year is probably the supplier. In any case, I stocked up on 14 5 quart bottles so it should get me through the next 70-90,000 miles. I would suggest that everyone stock up on some oil if the futures prices for crude keep going higher. Bottled oil always seems to lag gasoline in pricing but it will eventually feel the same impact.

 

On similar topic. Has anyone been looking carefuly at the 5 qt. bottles to make sure they are really 5 qts. I have been having a problem with the 5 qt. bottles of Castrol dino oil from Wal-Mart. It has taken me an avg of 10 bottles before I find one that is truely 5 qts. Most of the bottles were around 4.5 qts to 4.75 qts. I find that disturbing, if I am paying for 5 qts. I want 5 qts. !!!

Sorry for the jack. BTT

 

You should complain to your state's Consumer Protection Agency, The Feds to. This would seem to be fraud and theft.