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Grip It & Rip It
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,264
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Oil for Specific Makes
I've seen VW's, Volvos that call out for specific oil for their cars. Is it really necessary if you change your oil regularly and use a good synthetic brand? I know most people will just get the called out oil b/c it is not much more...
I've read the manufacturers want those oils to extend out their change intervals. Just want keep using my Kirkland Synthetic!  I don't like paying for things i don't need. 
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82 911SC (sold) |
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03-06-2026, 06:48 AM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 57,483
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It's best to comply with the manufacturer specifications unless you are certain that a specific oil surpasses those specifications. The specifications cover many aspects of the oil, and these days, the impacts of not using them could be big.
Ignoring the manufacturer's specs and using a good quality oil and changing it ofter (likely far more often than the manufacturer's specs) may be fine. If you're a gambling man, then go for it.
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa  SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
Last edited by masraum; 03-06-2026 at 07:17 AM.. |
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03-06-2026, 07:10 AM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 57,483
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Watch a bunch of this guy's videos and you will be able to make a more educated opinion.
https://www.youtube.com/@themotoroilgeek
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
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03-06-2026, 07:19 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Higgs Field
Posts: 22,891
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I remember 20 odd years ago when Harley announced that it would not honor warranty claims if customers didn't use their oil. I think maybe (can't remember fer sure...) that they might have gone so far as to say that, in addition, the only way to verify is to have it changed at the dealership.
Lawsuits were filed. Harley lost. The court ruled that if that were a requirement, then Harley must perform that service for free. They dropped that requirement. Granted, this is a bit different. I see no warranty requirements, just recommendations. I have to wonder, though, in this day and age, with such exceedingly stringent EPA requirements regarding oil additives, how much functional difference there actually is between different brands of similar oils. That, and materials technologies have advanced to the point where there are likely not any real differences between those used in the various manufacturers' engines. In other words, probably all moot, and targeted at the less knowledgeable new car owner. |
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03-06-2026, 07:57 AM
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Counterclockwise?
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I use the manufactures recommended Mobil1 on my Tundra.
I figure if it doesn't matter it doesn't matter, but if it does matter then it matters. Was in Costco the other day and a guy had a flat cart of Kirkland.
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Rod 1986 Carrera 2001 996TT A bunch of stuff with spark plugs |
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03-06-2026, 08:12 AM
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Used Mobil 1 exclusively in our 2000 Durango. Gave it away with 197k miles on it a few years ago. Oil changes per the manual.
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Brent The X15 was the only aircraft I flew where I was glad the engine quit. - Milt Thompson. "Don't get so caught up in your right to dissent that you forget your obligation to contribute." Mrs. James to her son Chappie. |
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03-06-2026, 09:07 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Linn County, Oregon
Posts: 49,020
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Quote:
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"Now, to put a water-cooled engine in the rear and to have a radiator in the front, that's not very intelligent." -Ferry Porsche (PANO, Oct. '73) (I, Paul D. have loved this quote since 1973. It will remain as long as I post here.) |
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03-06-2026, 09:37 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: bottom left corner of the world
Posts: 22,980
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I've been using this Harley Davidson intended Mobil 1 oil in my Honda dirt bike. It works well but for some reason I have to keep blipping the throttle at the traffic lights.
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03-06-2026, 09:55 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: west michigan
Posts: 28,716
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^^^ I'll be sure to not use it in my Civic SI ....unless I put a pair of fart-can mufflers on it.
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78 SC Targa Black....gone 84 Carrera Targa White 98 Honda Prelude 22 Honda Civic SI 25 John Deere X-590 Last edited by stevej37; 03-06-2026 at 10:17 AM.. |
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03-06-2026, 10:13 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 17,753
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I never pay attention to factory recommended engine oil. They all get mobile 1 or sometimes Amsoil, Now transmission, that's another story. I know Honda is very specific about their Transmission oils especially in the S 2000. I tried and tried to use similar after market oil from Mobile to Valvoline, no dice. Switched back to Honda oil, the shifting was so much better. They were $1.50 more per qt. I know some Mazda requires their own transmission oil also. I just put in Valvoline tranny oil in my Toyotas and they have been fine. Castro TranSynd in the Allison. Simple and are all good.
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03-06-2026, 03:13 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Linn County, Oregon
Posts: 49,020
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More on the topic...
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"Now, to put a water-cooled engine in the rear and to have a radiator in the front, that's not very intelligent." -Ferry Porsche (PANO, Oct. '73) (I, Paul D. have loved this quote since 1973. It will remain as long as I post here.) |
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03-08-2026, 03:49 PM
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Did you get the memo?
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 33,660
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Remember that the OEMs are financially incentivized to maximize their fleet wide MPG, which has led to the spec of increasingly thin motor oils. Similarly they are motivated for your car to get past the warranty period with minimal issues, but after that point they make money when your car breaks. So blindly trusting the OEM or dealership may not always be in your best interests.
A good example is my RX8. They went from recommending 5W-30 in the RX-7 to 5W-20 in the RX-8 to combat the rotary’s notoriously crappy MPG. But the rotary engine building industry unanimously recommends against using either, as rotary engines run hot and need an oil less prone to breaking down. Most rotary engine builders recommend something like 15W-50 and will void your warranty if you use 5W-20 per the book.
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‘07 Mazda RX8 Past: 911T, 911SC, Carrera, 951s, 955, 996s, 987s, 986s, 997s, BMW 5x, C36, C63, XJR, S8, Maserati Coupe, GT500, etc |
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03-09-2026, 06:24 AM
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I see you
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: NJ
Posts: 30,369
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Ducati recommended Shell oil for my Monster but the service rep told me it was a money maker between Shell and Ducati.
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Si non potes inimicum tuum vincere, habeas eum amicum and ride a big blue trike. "'Bipartisan' usually means that a larger-than-usual deception is being carried out." |
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03-09-2026, 06:33 AM
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Registered
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Quote:
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Brent The X15 was the only aircraft I flew where I was glad the engine quit. - Milt Thompson. "Don't get so caught up in your right to dissent that you forget your obligation to contribute." Mrs. James to her son Chappie. |
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03-09-2026, 02:29 PM
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Air Medal or two
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: cross roads
Posts: 14,223
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The 0W20 WT is causing really big problems.
2640000 on our 2017 turbo civic. The label asks for 0-20. I have not even adjusted the valves!!! AT The first oil change, the OW20 was dumped for 5W30. Each to their own theory.
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162 Assault Helicopter Co,(Vultures ) D troop 3/5 Air Cav. ( Bastard CAV) South of Saigon, U Minh Forest, Delta, and most parts in between. Last edited by afterburn 549; 03-10-2026 at 04:44 AM.. |
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03-09-2026, 03:49 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Linn County, Oregon
Posts: 49,020
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The Lake Speed Jr. video to watch on this youtube controversy...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OI2sXdrpdA
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"Now, to put a water-cooled engine in the rear and to have a radiator in the front, that's not very intelligent." -Ferry Porsche (PANO, Oct. '73) (I, Paul D. have loved this quote since 1973. It will remain as long as I post here.) |
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03-10-2026, 11:42 AM
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Air Medal or two
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: cross roads
Posts: 14,223
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He has many videos, and vacillates and oscillates in different directions, depending on who is paying him.
He agrees with draining 0W20 and going with 5W30 most of the time.
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162 Assault Helicopter Co,(Vultures ) D troop 3/5 Air Cav. ( Bastard CAV) South of Saigon, U Minh Forest, Delta, and most parts in between. |
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03-10-2026, 12:15 PM
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Did you get the memo?
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 33,660
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Pretty sure I saw a 0W-16 on the shelf recently, yikes.
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‘07 Mazda RX8 Past: 911T, 911SC, Carrera, 951s, 955, 996s, 987s, 986s, 997s, BMW 5x, C36, C63, XJR, S8, Maserati Coupe, GT500, etc |
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03-11-2026, 04:03 AM
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Air Medal or two
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: cross roads
Posts: 14,223
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The magnusson moss act of nineteen seventy five stipulates, they cannot require you to use any certain oil.
And jeff, I remember when 20w 50 came out. And I put it in my Harley,Everybody said it was gonna burn up. Lol So far so good! I noticed everybody else switched to twenty fifty also |
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03-11-2026, 05:01 AM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 57,483
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Quote:
__________________
Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
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03-11-2026, 05:41 AM
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