Synthetic oil great sale

I know this is an old thread, but I'm curious what sort of sales folks are seeing on synthetic oil as of late. I'm hearing from customers that they are seeing fewer and fewer sales since oil prices have begun to skyrocket.

Obviously, based upon my signature below, I have somewhat selfish reasons for asking. I like to know how the competition compares for price, and, since I can't shop for oil all over the country, it easier to just ask.

I hope you folks don't mind. I was just strolling and this particular post gave me the idea to ask.

Are you seeing similar prices for Group III based synthetics as for PAO based synthetics?

 

hmmm. hadnt thought about that. I just sort of assumed I would use Mobil 1 synthetic extended as it has good reputations anywhere I go. Even my dealer uses it.
I read your pdf's and I take it you sell amsoil?

 

M Kaufman:

Which Amsoil do you use in your prius?
Thanks, Ron

 

Mr. Kaufman,
I saw the AMSOIL web site. Wish AMSOIL had a shop in Chicago where I could get my oil changed. I just wanted to know if there is a discernible difference between Royal Purple oil and AMSOIL. The history of AMSOIL and warranty is impressive but the refining of Royal Purple oil is equally impressive. Terry

 

I usually use Castrol Syntec 5W30 it runs $19.99 - $22.99 at my local Wal-Mart for the 5 Quart Jug. I'll pick up the Mobil-1 when its cheaper the week I change oil. It usually runs about $20.99 - $23.99 for the 5 quart jug. (2 jugs lasts through 3 oil changes on the Prius.)

 

Contrary to my signature I am currently running the Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 in our Prius, since I got it with a $60. rebate off of 12 qt., which made it almost free. I haven't noticed any difference between the two oils with both consuming about 1 cup between 10,000 mile changes (6 month). Seems good for 93,000 miles on car.

I'll likely go back to the Amsoil, although at almost $10. qt. the price is quite steep.

PA P

 

Kragen's again is running a sale on Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic, I bought a case (6 qt.) of 5W-30 this morning. Net price is $1.99 per quart after $3 rebate.

The prior week, they had a sale on Valvoline Full Synthetic. I bought a case of 5W-20 (for my HiHy), net price was $0.99 per quart after rebate.

Look for today's LA Times ad if you are interested in the Pennzoil sale.

 

Patrick,
I have always learned from your threads but I am a little confused by this one only because I heard that once you use synthetic oil you should not return to 'mineral oil'. In a post I asked about the difference between the two and you stated something like 'use synthetic if you have money to burn a hole in your pocket', or something like that. I am at he juncture of trying to decide whether to convert to synthetic once I hit 5 k on my new Prius. Does this latest thread mean you support synthetic oil and are continuing to use synthetic oil or can you switch back and forth, unlike what I have been told by Toyota Service Department.. I am not trying to be a critic. Prius Chat, and its more astute Prius owners, help other Prius owners like myself learn about the whole car. Terry

 

Hi Terry,

Thanks for your msg. I've been told by enthusiastic synthetic oil users that they realize a small mpg improvement (compared to mineral oil). I'd like to see whether I can replicate that result or not.

It is true that in the past I've been skeptical about the cost-effectiveness of synthetic oil given:

- a price of $4 or $5 per quart vs. ~$1 for a name-brand mineral oil (net of rebate)
- the 5,000 mile oil change interval per the Toyota maintenance schedule, regardless of whether synthetic or mineral oil is used

However if I can buy a name-brand synthetic oil for $1 or $2 per quart (net of rebate), then I am willing to try it out. Further, I see nothing wrong with switching back & forth between mineral and synthetic oil.

 

Patrick,

Thanks for the perspective. IIRC, Mobil suggests sticking with either synthetic or dino oil, and not switching back and forth. I've no idea why. Seal health, perhaps? I've read most of the posts regarding the "ideal" Prius oil, both here and on other fora, and I'm not sure there is as much difference between oils as is sometimes asserted, for most users. OTOH, over on some of the Mercedes forums, it's been fairly clearly demonstrated that especially with the turbo-diesels (my not-so-green alternative transportation), it matters a lot. 0WXX doesn't play well on the top end of a diesel, and I don't know why. Even dropping below XW40 is not recommended.

I suspect the Prius isn't particularly hard on oil, and I might be tempted to experiment a bit more than on some other vehicles. I believe the Pennzoil product is a PAO, which seems to be where the bargains are to be found. I really wonder if the ester-based products are worth the extra dollars. Any thoughts? I believe the ester oils last longer, at any rate.