Best Readily-Available Non-Brad Penn Oil?

[scottb]

For the sake of discussion, let's say I'm out in the 84 Targa with a bone-stock 3.2 engine with 92k on the clock, and I need oil. There's no Brad Penn to be found, but there are plenty of gas stations that sell oil and maybe an Autozone. For adding one or two quarts, which readily-available oil (e.g., Valvoline, Pennzoil, Castrol, etc.) is best? (My preference would be something that I could just leave in the engine until the next oil change.)

Thanks!

[FrinkFrog]

I'm no expert, but have often read not to mix oil brands or viscosities. It is more prudent to carry with you a couple extra qts. of the type of oil you are running than to mix in something else. Others here may have differing opinions, but I purchase the BR by the case and always have one or two quarts with me wherever I go. On long trips, this also goes for my brand of injector cleaner.

[AlfonsoR]

I agree with not mixing brands.

I buy the mobil 1 v-twin 20w50 at Autozone. This has 1800 ppm zinc and 1700 ppm phosphorus.

They also carry the M1 10w40 racinf 4T.

[Joe Bob]

For those of us that prefer Dino oil.....?

[Scooter]

I used to run Harley Davidson oil. It is a great oil and is readily available just about everywhere these days. I now run BP, but that is only because it is very easy to get here in Seattle.

[scottb]

Just to be clear -- I'm talking about an unusual, hypothetical situation. Normally I do carry some extra BP, but what if I forget, or use it up and don't replace it, or...

So, hypothetically speaking, what should I do in that situation to get me home?

[Eagledriver]

In a pinch, I'll put any oil in to get the level right. Let's say you put a quart of Chevron 10W-40 in at a gas station. You now have around 12 quarts of oil total. 92 percent BP and 8 percent Chevron. Big deal. Drive it till your next oil change.

-Andy

[tcar]

A quart or so low is not a problem with these cars...

[sailchef]

Originally Posted by scottb

Just to be clear -- I'm talking about an unusual, hypothetical situation. Normally I do carry some extra BP, but what if I forget, or use it up and don't replace it, or...

So, hypothetically speaking, what should I do in that situation to get me home?

Take a cab?

[Joe Bob]

Oil warning light.....I was driving a friends ride and it came on at idle. It was 5 quarts low.

Pretty sure there is a LOT of fail safe there. Not like a wet sump where there's only 4-5 quarts to play with.

[porschenut]

As long as you run a proper viscosity, you could use any oil you want for tens of thousands of miles and not do any harm whatsoever. I've read all the oil threads and I'm convinced people here are going way off the deep end over the ZDDP issue.

[kidrock]

I'd recommend the Valvoline VR-1. You can find that stuff anywhere and everywhere.

[John W.]

Interesting answer to an oil question in the recent Panorama -- basically it said that dino oils benefit from ZDDP because they need the extra lubricant. Synthetics are better lubricants because of their formula and thus don't require ZDDP. It did say that pre 84 cars are better off with dino since the synthetics may leak in the older seals. It liked Mobil 1 0-40 or 5-40 for the later cars. Just repeating what they said, not trying to start a fued.

[Noah930]

Valvoline VR-1, the Mobil 1 v-twin stuff, I think Royal Purple makes a v-twin type oil, or Shell Rotella (the older CJ-4 stuff). I think the Rotella only comes in big gallon jugs, though. Or if you're out with Pelicans on a holiday run, ask someone in the peloton if they've got a spare quart in the front trunk.

But if you can't find any of that, then anything (ZDDP-fortified or not) is better than nothing IMO. 50 miles home on non-ZDDP oil is better than 50 miles on no oil. No?

[nineball]

Originally Posted by kidrock

I'd recommend the Valvoline VR-1. You can find that stuff anywhere and everywhere.

x2. i stocked up this summer when it was 50% off. still have 5 change's worth in the garage.

[James Brown]

On the road, look for the Harley dealers.

[FrinkFrog]

Be careful with H-D oil. Motorcycle Oil: AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil vs. Harley Davidson Oil

[zippy_gg]

In a bind you can add ANY oil as it is better than running low and overheating your engine. Most modern oils will mix without a problem, and that should at least get you home where you can change all your oil if you are THAT anal retentive!
Seriously, any oil will do, even the crappiest, when in a bind.

[scott.k]

does anyone know where to get mobil 1 vtwin for cheap?

In my local store it sells for almost ten dollars a quart!!

I would love to run this or a similar 20w50 oil but they all seem to be pretty pricey, at least the ones that people recommend

[nineball]

valvoline vr1 is usually under $6 a quart