20/50 Oil

[tiller269]

I always thought that the cheaper oils, although they do make 'the grade' indicated, they go out of grade very quickly. So that after perhaps, 1K the cheap oil is out of grade, whereas the better qulity oil may still be 'in grade' as long as 3K or more. I think the key to long engine life is regular oil changes, whatever the oil.

 

[wessie]

I always thought that the cheaper oils, although they do make 'the grade' indicated, they go out of grade very quickly. So that after perhaps, 1K the cheap oil is out of grade, whereas the better qulity oil may still be 'in grade' as long as 3K or more. I think the key to long engine life is regular oil changes, whatever the oil.

Go back to read the API website that someone posted above. Part of the grading qualification is that the oil must stay in grade for a particular mileage. Some of the changes to grades, from top of the range SJ in year 2000 when my bike was new, to the current SL oils, has been to accommodate the longer service intervals of modern cars. AFAIK no bikes have a service interval beyond 8000 miles which is low compared to some cars with their 20k intervals. Not even a cheap oil, with an API rating, is going to go out of grade in 8000 miles let alone the 6000 miles of the BMW schedule.

 

[Bagpuss]

Could the Tesco value oil be a loss leader..... they did it with 1p tins of beans.....

 

[tiller269]

If all the oils are supposed to stay in grade for a specific mileage, what is the point in buying expensive oils. Is it for the all the additives to keep your engine clean? I have used cheap oils and expensive oils and I know that when I have drained the cheap oil, it looks, smells and feels like a cheap oil, whereas the more expensive oils come out almost the same as they went in. (for the same mileage). Peace of mind tells me to stick with the expensive stuff.

 

[wessie]

Peace of mind tells me to stick with the expensive stuff.

I'm sure the capitalist moguls are grateful for your consumerist servitude.

 

[Steptoe]

When Mobil 1 fully synthetic oil first appeared on sale, it's selling point was it didn't need to be changed for 30K miles.

They changed when they realised they wouldn't hit the sales targets.
So you now change it the same time as any other oil.

So fully synthetic oil is not being used for the reason it was designed ( or should that be marketed ?)

So why not use any other oil if your changing it at the recommended intervals . Go by the engine makers specifications, couldn't be any easier, or cheaper .

 

[longdog]

When Mobil 1 fully synthetic oil first appeared on sale, it's selling point was it didn't need to be changed for 30K miles.

They changed when they realised they wouldn't hit the sales targets.
So you now change it the same time as any other oil.

So fully synthetic oil is not being used for the reason it was designed ( or should that be marketed ?)

So why not use any other oil if your changing it at the recommended intervals . Go by the engine makers specifications, couldn't be any easier, or cheaper .

I agree! whatever oil you choose to use, then ALWAYS change it at the recommended intervals and just ignore all the bollox about high mileage oil changes that are very much in fashion today!

 

[Trippy]

I,ve just bought this to put in mine on Monday, why ..

The bloke said they sold a fair bit to bikers.
At 13.99 it seemed neither too cheap nor too expensive.
It's green.
And lastly, I liked the old fashion tin can it comes in.

Not that technical I know but there you go.

 

[Steptoe]

sounds like it's re-tinned Duckhams . About £6 a tin

 

[Trippy]

sounds like it's re-tinned Duckhams . About £6 a tin

The power or good packaging eh, there'll alway be some tw@t that pays over the top for a nice tin


ps - you still doing your friday afternoon / evening ride, it wasn't listed on chews your ride.

 

[Bigbadbaz]

well folks i have only just logged on and thanks for the replies. A mixed bag me thinks. I will go and see what blurb they have put on the back of the canister. I wonder if Mr Tesco would put it in his motor? I wonder if Tesco would supply any info if i were to mail them about the quality of their oil?

 

[FatAl]

I'm not sure if there is an API rating on the Tesco oil container, I've heard that if there is no API rating the oil is bare bones basic stuff and usually recycled, ideal for putting in an old car that burns oil like a two stroke.
A couple of years back I used to use Ford 'motorcraft' 20/50 which had a fairly high API rating, something like SH/CF, and cost about £6 a gallon. I now use Rock Oil semi-synth 20/50 which I buy through a trade connection.