I'm sure its been discussed numerous times before, but I did search 'oil' and got lots of irrelevant results.

I own a TH 3.5L V6, and live in a colder climate then usual (temps range from abs lowest of -10 to highs being top of 40 degrees in summer). Just a note, my car has only done 52,000 kms....so its not too old...

I have been told to use 20-50W, or 20-40W, and am wondering what brand of oil (Valvoline, Mitsu Diamond? etc etc) is the best for my baby. Is this Magnatec stuff really worth it? And are oils generally the same price at different places (Autobahn, garages, Repco, Super cheap).


Cheers thanks...

well magnatec is alright i still use 'em others here will tell u to use motul etc but its up to u wat u can afford. they do vary prices in different stores.

Well...anyone? What oil do you use?

I own a TH 3.5L V6, and live in a colder climate then usual (temps range from abs lowest of -10 to highs being top of 40 degrees in summer). Just a note, my car has only done 52,000 kms....so its not too old...
I have been told to use 20-50W, or 20-40W, and am wondering what brand of oil (Valvoline, Mitsu Diamond? etc etc) is the best for my baby. Is this Magnatec stuff really worth it?
Since you don't live in tropical heat, you should go thinner eg 5w30 or 10w40.
Thinner oil gives easier cold starting, better fuel economy.

Only go thicker when the engine is older 100thou+ and its a little bit more worn out.


And are oils generally the same price at different places (Autobahn, garages, Repco, Super cheap).
Nah, "anything goes".

Autobarn has a decent range but not usually cheap.

Repco ok too.

Bursons is not my fave as its one big parts counter, can't finger the goods before I buy. :doubt:

SuperCheap carry a few brands, generally the cheaper/ordinary ones.
Their price ain't far off from what KMart or BigW charge; depending on
what you're after, don't forget the supermarkets sell Oil too.


Motor oil is best thing to stock up on when there's a storewide sale.
You can stockpile it forever in your shed, only risk is if they invent a 'new' oil.

Well...anyone? What oil do you use?
Motul 4100 (10w40 I think) in the 3rd gen.

Valvoline XLD Premium in the TN, changed every 5000.

Motul 4100 (10w40 I think)

I just came back from the store with new oil and filter. I heard good things about Motul but that thing costs twice as much ($48 at Aubo-Barn). And I think the 4100 is 15w50.

I couldn't bring myself to spend that much atm, I'm pretty strapped for cash. I got some 15w40 Titan Performance Plus instead for half the price. Never used this before, does anyone know if it's any good?

mutol 4100.... and nothing else

okay some close the thread now..... :)

Is it really that much better? Can you feel the difference? Better performance? Better sound?

How does oil affect the sound?? :nuts:

Seems to rev up cleaner/quicker, seems to be easier to keep below 12L/100kms.

Could just be my mind playing tricks, to justify the $40 investment. :P


Scary thing is, this french stuff is so slick - first I've seen that DRIPS OFF MY DIPSTICK!! :shock:
Not even the Mobil 1 and Helix synths do that.

what about castrol formula R synthetic?...its 5w-30, the guy at autobarn told me its the best high performance oil?

How does oil affect the sound?? :nuts:

Indirectly it could happen. Just like high-octane fuel affects the sound.

Well...wasn't that a messy oil change (my first mind you).

I put the oil catch tray under so the sump plug was directly in the centre of it, but what someone didn't tell me is that when you take the plug out at first, gravity is in play, and the plug is at an angle, so it shot right out at an angle and poured on the driveway, but none went in the bucket. I quickly moved it :rant:

lol

*takes note to account for oil pressure*

i'm gonna try my first this weekend. did u change the filter as well? and did u change the sump plug washer too?

What sump plug washer?.......Oh ****.......I just saw the little rubber ring around the end of the plug when I unscrewed it, so I pushed it down to the end of the plug, and screwed it back in. Surely thats ok to do?

I replaced the oil filter as well....all I can say is cover the surrounds in newspaper...even if you drive the car onto a garage floor full of newspaper :P , hehe.

Oh btw. I used the Magnatec stuff.......

Surely thats ok to do?

I don't know. Some say to change it, others don't. If it's still in good condition it should be ok. If there are no leaks then I pressume it's fine. I asked for one when at Repco but they ran out.

Ask 20 people what the best oil is and I reckon you'll get 20 different opinions. :cry:

You'll need to go as low as a 10W-40 or even a 5W-40 for the cold weather. Personally I use Valvoline XLD but I have to admit it is a money thing. Supercheap had a special on and I got a second 5 litre pack free!!!

I actually prefer Castrol GTX 3 but the bottom line is Money Talks :cry:

I'm not sure I understand this whole viscosity thing. I mean I know that 15w40 means it has a viscosity rating of 15 when cold and 40 when hot. But what's better for your engine? Is the idea to get a viscosity rating as low as possible for the expected temperature range?

I'm guessing that if it's too thin then it won't protect the components enough because it breaks up and if it's too think then it may be too heavy to reach certain components?

Have a look at http://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbibles/index.html?menu.html&engineoil_bible.html, it is a very informative page. In fact the whole "Car Bibles" pages are all good.

You'll need to go as low as a 10W-40 or even a 5W-40 for the cold weather. Personally I use Valvoline XLD but I have to admit it is a money thing. Supercheap had a special on and I got a second 5 litre pack free!!!

I actually prefer Castrol GTX 3 but the bottom line is Money Talks :cry:
Valvoline XLD Premium is a 20w50, isn't it? Bit thick for 3rd gen's multivalve V6.

Valvoline is better than Castrol - Valvoline got John Laws on their payroll. lol

Used it in the TN, TN loves XLD Premium more than any Castrol GTX2/3.
Sold the car and I still got a dozen new cans stocked in the shed. :D

Valvoline XLD Premium is a 20w50, isn't it? Bit thick for 3rd gen's multivalve V6.

I need my eyes checked. :confused: The oil I got is actually Penrite HPR30. It is a 20W-60.

My car is a KR V3000 (NZ model) with 188,000 Ks on the clock. Still in good condition although I'll be replacing the valve seals and maybe the lash adjusters in the next couple of months.

what about castrol formula R synthetic?...its 5w-30, the guy at autobarn told me its the best high performance oil?

I just bought some of that, my mate who works in R&E autos suggested it.

what about castrol formula R synthetic?...its 5w-30, the guy at autobarn told me its the best high performance oil?

Yep. I had it put in my car just before the North Coast cruise a couple of months ago. 5000 kms later and still honey coloured.

Is 5W30 too thin for a 3.5L?

What's the worst than can happen if your oil is too thin?

What's the worst than can happen if your oil is too thin?
- it gets past the rings and gets burnt = sooty plugs, cylinders & exhaust
- doesn't cushion engine parts enough = rattly
- weeps out of seals & gaskets

5w30 should be ok for a newish engine, the factory oil is 5w30.

They tell me to go thicker 15w40 for older engines.


Shell 25w60 reduced the main seal weeps on my TN with ~160,000km but didn't
do anything for the stem seal leaks so it still blew a bit of smoke & wet sooty plugs.
(Main seal weep got fixed good when new timing chain kit came with all new seals.)

Methink 25w60 = 20w50 + Wynns Stop Smoke (thick honey additive). lol

Cool. I don't have those symptoms so everythings fine. :D

Yep. I had it put in my car just before the North Coast cruise a couple of months ago. 5000 kms later and still honey coloured.

Is it good that the oil is still clean after 5000ks? I would think that that means it isn't cleaning the inside of the engine. A very important but much overlooked job of oil.

Is it good that the oil is still clean after 5000ks? I would think that that means it isn't cleaning the inside of the engine. A very important but much overlooked job of oil.
I share your thoughts too.

As said to R#464:

Generally I'd stay clear of "racing" oils, they use them in racing engines that don't need to live very long.

I'm very old school and still think racing oils are pure lubricants with no detergents and rust/sludge inhibitors that daily-use oils usually have.

Check out http://www.castrol.com/castrol/productdetailmin.do?categoryId=82914759&contentId=6004740

that page sez "When used in four-stroke engines, the oil should be changed before each race and is intended for continuous use only. Drain intervals should not exceed 1,600 kilometres. The oil should be drained out between races and the engine should preferably be replaced by conventional engine oil before storage. It is recommended that the engine be drained and flushed before Castrol R 40 is refilled and used.".... WTF??!

well ive put that 5w30 castrol oil in, and if anything my engine sounds SO much quieter! even feels like it goes faster, but thats just all probably in my head! :nuts:

Is it good that the oil is still clean after 5000ks? I would think that that means it isn't cleaning the inside of the engine. A very important but much overlooked job of oil.

Yeah. Good Point. Need to do more research.

True, this matter has been on the Forum several times. And the beauty about these kinda forums is that things change and new opinions are forms/required weekly. So, nothing wrong with your post.
I used Magantec - not any more.
Currently use fully Synth Shell Helix Ultra 5-40. Very happy with it! Very low friction, less stress on the cams, bearings etc resulting to improved (slight) economy. No loss at all (170 000 on the clock). Allows the engine (3.0) rev better (than with Magnatec).
Dunno if brand is as relevant as the fact that oil is synth instead of mineral, but go synth oil only. Remember, synth oils are "washing oils" so if your donk is dirty, consider internal cleansing (not Vodka!)

Converted from MagnaTec,every bit of ..it sticks to it.Because of all the active additives it is a thick oil.Dangerous.First flush the engine then pour the Valvoline SyntBlend 5w 30 in.Fantastic,its music to my ears so quiet and has a very nice sound under load too.Couldn't be happier.

What oil does mitsubishi put in the cars when they do a service?

Penrite HPR5 for me. :thumbsup: www.penrite.com.au

VR-X II

What would you recomment for a 2002 TJ with 87K? Would 5-30 be too thin? What about 15w40, too thick?