5 quarts Exxon Superflo 5w-20
1 STP S3593A Oil Filter
1 bottle STP Complete Fuel System Cleaner, added 500 miles BEFORE the oil change.

Cost: $7.99 no MIR for the oil/filter, FREE for the Fuel System Cleaner after $6.99 MIR.

Service life (oil): My standard recommendation, 6mo/5K or the MID, whichever comes first. (I tend to be conservative)

Link: http://www.autozone.com/in_our_store...tore_deals.htm

Thoughts? Suggestions? Challenges?

Fire Away,
Michael

 

BTW, by no means is the Exxon Superflo an inferior oil. It is API SM rated, and is of a GrpII or better basestock (knowing XOM, most likely Grp II+) and has sodium sulphonate in the oil in an effort to move forward in phasing out some of the old school, ZDP additives. Any API SM rated oil should be able to go 5-7K/6mo (provided that most trips are >10 miles each way), so my 6mo/5K suggestion is quite conservative.

As for the STP Oil Filter, it is a Champion Labs produced filter of the non-ecore design, as they don't have a non-Ecore design. All of the lower end filters such as the Premium Plus, ST, STP, and Proline are able to do 5-7K drains or 6 mo without problems in regards to clogging or going into bypass mode.

 

Wow!
Thanks for that info & link Michael!
$8.00 bucks for 5 qts. & an oil filter is a great deal....
Limit is 10 qts & 2 filters per day per customer....
I'll be dropping in frequently to load up for all my cars!
I see it ends on 11/16/05.

The only issue I have is to whether or not it is restricted to 5w-20 only as you posted. The AZ website page you posted does not mention that, do you have any details if it is exclusive to that weight only?

great find, Thanks for posting!

 

ANY model STP Filter (no price restriction) and ANY grade Exxon Superflo conventional oil. I mentioned 5w-20 above as it is the correct oil for the RL.

 

Michael,

I agree with your oil change schedule. However, I don't agree with your choice of oil.

My preference has been for a 100% synthetic oil like Mobil 1 for a few reasons

1. When the car is started, the oil needs to travel from the oil pan to the top of the engine. Synthetics stay thinner than conventional oils and will start lubricating the engine faster. The result is less wear on moving parts.

2. Synthetics contain polymers that adhere to moving parts when they get hot. This fine coating creates lower friction upon start-up and creates less wear on the engine.

3. Synthetics are completely man-made and do not contain "natural" impurities of conventional oil. Its the impurities that turn into sludge. As a result, the engine will run cleaner internally and be less prone to sludge build up.

4. It's almost impossible for an engine to get hot enough to break down synthetic oil. Conventional oil can get overheated in extreem conditions and break down resulting in increased engine wear and possible engine damage.

The cost difference in two or three oil changes a year of synthetic versus conventional oil is insignificant. I want the best protection I can get and feel much more comfortable with synthetic.

I'm not in the oil business nor do I benefit in any way from this recommendation other than not having to drive around your broken down car on the way to Lake Tahoe.

YMMV

 

1) In extremely cold climates, I'd agree. But the difference is insignificant under most conditions.

2) Maybe. The differences are little to negligible at best.

3) Maybe. The detergency of some synthetic oils may be better, but when any oil is used for its intended service interval, the possibility of sludge generation is extremely slim.

4) It is very unlikely that your engine oil will reach such temperatures under daily driving conditions. I do support the usage of synthetic oil when the vehicle is used for track events.

5) Use whatever floats your boat. If synthetic oil makes you feel better and you do not mind paying the extra money, then go for it. On the other hand, my car will function perfectly fine with conventional oil changed at the recommended intervals.

 

My 2 cents goes with Michael on this one. Todays dino oils are better than ever!
I have gotten great mileage on my other cars using dino oils since new, over 200k on one before I gave it away, engine running great & cam/head/oil pan never touched), and 350k on another that did give up the ghost finally. (heads, cam, oil pan never off on that one also).

BTW Michael, my local AZ sold out on Exxon superflo quart bottles!...Sigh!!!

 

 

Just what I need for my fleet (my RL, my wife's Odyssey, my daughter's Volvo 850, my son's Volvo 740). Thanks for the tip.