Originally Posted by Scotto97
I just purchased an SRT roadster from a private party and found a receipt from an oil change shop that shows synthetic 5-30 was used. This was not an oil change done at the dealer. It took place 2 1/2 months ago and 3,000 miles ago. Will I be ok with this different rated oil, or change it out ASAP with Mobil 0-40? I live in Las Vegas and it's still very hot here. Thanks.
Though others might disagree, I would have the oil traces in the motor
totally flushed, if the 5-30 was from a company other than Mobil. My dad
was a horse trader (automobile wholesaler) for about 40 years, and I
worked with him for several years. One thing he was adamant about, and
I came to agree after experience, never change the brand of oil in a car
without doing as complete a flush as possible.
I've been told that the reason for this is that different companies (Mobil,
Castrol, Pennzoil, etc) use different additives, and some are not
compatible with others. If there is enough mixing, you can gum up your
engine it the oils have incompatible additives. Though the problem will
not display such symptoms as re-fusing to start, or seizing up, you
will lose performance, and will find that you need to change your filter
more often.
So, do what you want, and listen to who you wish, but I would recommend
a power flush before putting the Mobil One 0-40 back in. Then again, my
info may no longer apply in today's technologically advanced motor. But,
I still follow the rule, and I've got two vehicles with over 1/4 million miles
on them that have never smoked or leaked (oil pressure is higher in a
gummed up motor as the traces are blocking up like the arteries of a
person with bad cholesterol problems). And, none of those miles were
easy cruising. When I'm ready to go somewhere, I'm ready to get there,
so I drive hard.
Coyote (just crossed 50k miles on the SRT-6)