latest oil for our old cars

[Michael F.]

I heard shell rotella changed again and lowered zddp to less than 800 and from what I can gather 1000 is bare-minimum....what is the latest oils safe for use in our older vettes..thanks.

[Duke W.]

Re: latest oil for our old cars

Well, where, pray tell did you hear that?

Duke

[Michael F.]

Re: latest oil for our old cars

Duke, read it on another forum and it referred some web site on oil. Since I knew you are on this board and are in the know on this I posted here. So I take it that it is BS and I can continue to use Rotella?

[John H.]

Re: latest oil for our old cars

So I take it that it is BS and I can continue to use Rotella?

Yes, it's BS. As usual.

[Duke W.]

Re: latest oil for our old cars

Duke, read it on another forum and it referred some web site on oil. Since I knew you are on this board and are in the know on this I posted here. So I take it that it is BS and I can continue to use Rotella?

Okay, the CJ-4 spec has been in place since 2006, and the first released products showed up on retail shelves in early 2007, and the 1200 PPM P limit will not change. Any major changes such as a reduction in P will require a new spec, and I am not aware that a new spec is anything other than in the advanced planning stage at this point with industry providing input. I expect the CJ-4 spec to remain current and not be superseded for several more years, and when a new spec is released sometime in the future, we will know if there is a change to the CJ-4 P limit.

The Internet is full of ignorant morons that run around spreading baseless rumors - Chicken Littles screaming that the sky is falling.

My suggestion is that anyone who "hears" something bad do some research. Detailed information on engine oils is readily available from the API and manufacturers, and the Chevron Delo Web site provides the most comprehensive technical data. Any other manufacturer's same API category product is going to be essentially the same because they are all blended to meet the same performance specifications/requirements including the same comprehensive test suite that all must pass.

So the next time anyone "hears" something about motor oil, how about doing some research on your own before you pass along Internet trash on this site.

Until a new C-category spec is released by API in the indeterminate future, the CJ-4 product will remain the same as it is today, which is the same as it was when CJ-4 products showed up on retail shelves in early 2007. The P concentration will not change!

Let's try to keep this site free of rumor, myths, and misinformation, and ignore the Chicken Littles all over the Web.

Likewise, the engine oil information in the article published in The Corvette Restorer a year ago will remain current until a new C-category spec is released, and when a new spec is finalized, I'll likely know about it, including any changes that might affect engine oil choice for our vintage cars.

Until then keep using CJ-4 or CI-4 and ignore all the scare-mongering on the Internet!

Frankly, I'm getting tire of responding to all these "I heard on the Internet..." stories.

Duke

[Paul H.]

Re: latest oil for our old cars

Yes, it's BS. As usual.

Yea I read it over there and made the mistake of chiming in. I touted the CI-4 and CJ-4 motor oils like Rotella. Count me amongst the uninformed that needs to educate myself

[Michael F.]

Re: latest oil for our old cars

unfortunately I have misplaced my copy of the restorer with the article you reference or wouldn't have ask and I am not really internet savy. But again, I only ask because I was UNSURE. I don't frequent the net much so I am not up to date on many things and wondered if I had missed something. I also believe that the only stupid question is one not asked. Sorry if I offended you by asking.

[Duke W.]

Re: latest oil for our old cars

If you can bring up a discussion board on the Internet you ought to be able to type in "Shell Rotella" at www.google.com and get some facts.

The same applies to anybody with a computer and Internet connection whether they've been online for a month or ten years. So the next time anyone "hears" something, make a contribution by doing a few minutes of research, first.

Beyond the above, there must be an engine oil "question" nearly every week despite the subject being hashed out here for at least two years ad nauseum, and The Corvette Restorer article was republished in an online club magazine and the link listed here within the past month or so.

The archives are your friend.

Duke

[Dave F.]

Re: latest oil for our old cars

Duke,

In the Restorer article, you say the first thing to do is take the "Fundamentals of Lubrication" course from lubricantsuniversity.com, but you can only do that "If you have a Chevron Business Point ID and are an employee of a Chevron North American Marketer"

What would be your second choice for a beginning point? Would it be http://lubricants.s5.com/?

Thanks.

-Dave

[Dave F.]

Re: latest oil for our old cars

p.s. I'm a CJ-4 believer and use it in my old cars, but I am still wondering about how to treat my new cars?

I read about 3000 mile changes, 5000, 6000+, and time frames of 3 month, 6 month, or more. How good are these new engines and the new oils?

-Dave

[Patrick H.]

Re: latest oil for our old cars

p.s. I'm a CJ-4 believer and use it in my old cars, but I am still wondering about how to treat my new cars?

I read about 3000 mile changes, 5000, 6000+, and time frames of 3 month, 6 month, or more. How good are these new engines and the new oils?

-Dave

Dave,

What cars do you have?
My newer GM cars (2000, 2003 and 2008) (and my Dad's Toyota) all have oil monitoring systems on board. I don't change the oil until the car tells me it's time. The built-in algorithms are much better than any calculating I can do.

If your cars don't have a system like this, just follow the Owner's Manual. 3000 mile oil changes do nothing but cost money, use resources, and line the pockets of the quick oil change places.

The new engines are very clean - that's why they can get away with prolonged intervals. 1 year is generally the longest recommended term.

Patrick

[Duke W.]

Re: latest oil for our old cars

A couple of years ago when I found that site two of the online courses were available at no charge - "Fundamentals of Lubrication" and "CJ-4". I took both and printed my "certificates".

I just checked, and it appears the above is no longer the case. How about if you contact them via the email address on the home page and ask why those no-charge online courses are no longer available.

Maybe they will work out something for NCRS members.

If NoCal Chapter member Mike Ingahm (sorry about the likely misspelling) is tuned in maybe he can help us out. Mike recently retired from Chevron Research in Richmond, CA and has organized the tour of the facility and engine oil presentation during the national convention.

If someone takes the bull by the horns, maybe we can get Chevron to do us a favor.

In the meantime look at the other reference sites.

Duke

[Duke W.]

Re: latest oil for our old cars

p.s. I'm a CJ-4 believer and use it in my old cars, but I am still wondering about how to treat my new cars?

I read about 3000 mile changes, 5000, 6000+, and time frames of 3 month, 6 month, or more. How good are these new engines and the new oils?

-Dave

How about following the manufacturer's recommendations (for each specific vehicle on both oil spec and change interval) for new car warranty (including emission system warranty) maintenance listed in the owner's manual or warranty/maintenance manual?

Do the above, don't listen to advertising or read Chicken Little Web sites, and stop worrying!

Duke

[Dave F.]

Re: latest oil for our old cars

OK, I sent lubricantsuniversity a message.

Regarding the new cars, I just figured the car companies would be ultra conservative in their oil change recommendations (and yes, I have just been taking them in when the display tells me it's time). I wasn't trying to open a can of worms, so just forget I said anything.

-Dave

[Dave F.]

Re: latest oil for our old cars

Dave,

What cars do you have?
My newer GM cars (2000, 2003 and 2008) (and my Dad's Toyota) all have oil monitoring systems on board. I don't change the oil until the car tells me it's time. The built-in algorithms are much better than any calculating I can do.


Patrick

Thanks Patrick. I'm dropping the subject.

-Dave