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Is there a special type of oil I should look for for increased MPG? I have to stick to Synthetic and Smart recomends Mobil 1 (I could probably use a different brand). Also want to get something that will handle the warmer weather.

I've always had the best results with Amsoil.

Any top quality synthetic would be fine as long as you follow the manufacture oil weight requirements.

Amsoil, Mobil One, Pennzoil Platinum, Redline, Royal Purple, Schaeffer's all are top quality oils that would do the job as intended. Schaeffer's is made by a small family owned refinery and is tough to find in certain markets. It is one of the very best oils available out there BTW.

I recommend if the oil is easily available around you such as Walmart, local auto parts like Napa or Advance Auto use it. Stay away from any oil you need to have shipped to you. The shipping cost added on isn't worth the cost difference.

I get my Mobil One at Walmart in four quart jugs and I can get Amsoil at a local Napa part store.

I second ALS's recommendations. Mobil 1 is probably the easiest to find, and enjoys a fine reputation. I'd use it in my car if I didn't need extra zinc to lube my flat tappets.

Any viscosity I should lean towards for some improvement to mileage? Again want to make sure it is also suitable for the AZ heat.

What does the manufacturer call for? That's the best place to start. I would not recommend going to a lighter weight in such a hot climate because I doubt it would help much and it may not lubricate as intended. The only thing you might change is going from a 5wXX or 10wXX to a 0wXX. Those oils are usually labeled as energy conserving (in whatever jargon the manufacturer uses) and at least in the case of M1 they meet the lubricating needs of the 5w and 10w oils.

Stick with the mobil one. You can find it almost anywhere.

A question on my mind: will going from conventional to synthetic oil (same grade) improve my mileage, ie: does synthetic oil have less friction? Also, is a synthetic oil less likely to gum up your throttle, with recirculated blow-by gases being recycled?

A question on my mind: will going from conventional to synthetic oil (same grade) improve my mileage, ie: does synthetic oil have less friction? Also, is a synthetic oil less likely to gum up your throttle, with recirculated blow-by gases being recycled?

A. Slightly almost unnoticeable
B. Slightly almost unnoticeable
C. Synthetic oil keeps things like the PCV valve, Flame Trap if applicable
and the throttle body much cleaner over conventional oil.

With A & B conventional oils in the last few years have improved greatly that is why the minimal difference.

With fuel mileage the benefit for better fuel mileage is when synthetic is used in the transmission and rear differential. The biggest advantage is during the colder months when making trips of less than ten miles. Conventional transmission and rear end fluids start out much thicker in colder weather. Thus during warm up it is harder for the gears to move through the denser liquid until it hits operating temperature. Synthetic fluids flow much easier at lower temperatures so there is less resistance right after start up.

The additive packages have brought conventional oils quality up
pretty close to synthetic oil. Synthetic is still superior to conventional oil and recommended for the best over all engine protection.

When I used conventional 10W30 in my old Volvo Turbo Wagon at start up in 20 degree weather the oil pressure gauge would easily peg at 100 psi and drop as the oil heated up.
When I switched to synthetic Mobil One 10W30 the oil gauge only went up to 65-70 psi in the same 20 degree weather.

In the summer in 90 degree heat, AC on in heavy traffic my oil temperatures ran at least 20-25 degrees cooler with the synthetic over conventional oil. I'd see 220-230 degree oil temps and after I switched to synthetic my oil temperatures in the same conditions never went above 190-195. In normal driving with light traffic the oil rarely got above 180 degrees.

I'm pretty sure this dramatic oil temperature drop was because the synthetic cleaned out the oil galleys of all the varnish and sludge left by the conventional oil even with 3K mile oil changes. Oil being pumped unobstructed was cooling the engine at a more efficent rate.

Thanks ALS, interesting info.

One more question. Does anyone see a downside to using Castrol vs Mobil 1? I would prefer to save a few buck, but not if it affects the overall performance or life of the engine.

I like Amsoil, mobile1. Redline i hear is OK. They are only TRUE synthetic oil. All others have Dino DNA in them. The only reason I know that is I read that on 2 other websites.

Hi Gabe:

___The reason I plug Mobil1 is it provides the wear protection required for your vehicle while having the lowest kinematic viscosity of the rest under most weights. Check the Data sheets and look for cST at 40 and 100 degrees C for an idea as to what I am interested in when it comes to FE.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Is there a special type of oil I should look for for increased MPG? I have to stick to Synthetic and Smart recomends Mobil 1 (I could probably use a different brand). Also want to get something that will handle the warmer weather.

I've done a little reading on www.bobistheoilguy.com researching what would be the best synthetic for my car too. If you'll go to the site and look at some of the used oil analysis you might find UOA done on you type of vehicle using different brands, which might give you an idea of what would hold up best for your engine. I was really surprised to see that some engines are just harder on oil than other.

I also use mobil 1 and I feel it really helps in the cold temps for starting.

I have 4 liters of Pennzoil Platinum 0W20 (synthetic) sitting in the garage. Couldn't find Mobil anywhere, at any price.

I'm just waiting for the HCHII's Maintenance Minder to get down to 15% oil life remaining, the time when it starts warning you to change oil. This will be the first departure from Honda's 0W20 for me, at least with this car.

I'm interested to see if there will be any noticeable difference. I find with switches like this it's immediately after that you're most able to notice differences. Likely most noticeable during cold starts, I'd speculate. Given a few more days you get more accustomed, forget how it used to sound/feel.

Does a SG give information on oil life or is there no way for it to read it?

Does a SG give information on oil life or is there no way for it to read it?

Nope.

Changing my oil today and I'm wondering about the mobil 1 0w-30 advanced fuel ecoonomy oil. Is it alright in the hot summer months? I know it will be great in the winter time.

Hi Gas-x:

___If your Aveo spec'ed for 20W or does it have to be 30W?

___Thanks in advace.

___Wayne

Ened up going with Mobil 1, only an extra $15, next time will look for the sale a couple of months before I change the oil. They usually have the filter and 5quarts for $30. I was hoping for an improvement, but not much difference, if anything a slight decrease in FE. It may be possible the oil I used is slightly thicker than the oil the use on the car when new.

Hey wayne, My Aveo is supposed to get 5w30. I picked up the "advanced fuel economy " mobil 1 full synthetic 0w 30. What are your thoughts? What do you run. Keep in mind I live in MN.

You should be fine with 0W30 if the car is spec'd for 5W30. I still run 5W30 non-synthetic in my Elantra. <shrug>

Ened up going with Mobil 1, only an extra $15, next time will look for the sale a couple of months before I change the oil. They usually have the filter and 5quarts for $30. I was hoping for an improvement, but not much difference, if anything a slight decrease in FE. It may be possible the oil I used is slightly thicker than the oil the use on the car when new.

Do a web search for Pennzoil Platinum rebates. Toward the end of the year last year they had a $15. rebate on 5 quarts and at the time the price of a 5 quart jug at Walmart was $20. making the final cost $5. for 5 quarts. I don't know if they have any rebate offers now or not.

smart recommends 0W40, I would stick with that in AZ. If oyu are in a colder climate, 0W30 would work, but that little 3 works pretty hard, so i would stick with what smart calls for.

I just picked up a bunch of oil at pepboys. they had a special. 5 qts of mobil one and a mobile one filter for 29.99. I picked up oil changes for my miata, my smart, and my caliber. Caliber calls for 5W20, but i am going to use 0W20 M1 in it.

Thanks for the heads up on the sale. How often do they usually have these? I also used 0W40.

Thanks for the heads up on the sale. How often do they usually have these? I also used 0W40.

Every few months. This one is still going on as of now, so you might want to grab some extra. Advance also runs the same type of special every few months.

Thanks for the heads up on the sale. How often do they usually have these? I also used 0W40.

I think Pennzoil usually runs a rebate at least once a year. The local Walmart currently has the 5 quart jugs of Pennzoil Platinum for $23. each, but I haven't seen any rebates so far this year. I don't know whether Pennzoil makes an 0w40 or not.