Oil Type Question

I'm getting ready to change my oil for the first time. I have the filter, o-ring, new plug and washer that I got from Suncoast. Today I went out to buy the oil. I went to three different area auto parts stores, Pep Boys, Auto Zone, and Auto Advantage. I bought all the Mobil 1 0W-40 they had and only came up with 7 quarts between all of them. My question is there a substitute viscosity I can use for the last quart or should I keep looking for another 0W-40?

It is generally considered best to use the same brand and viscosity of oil. Should you change, it should be done at an oil change only. I usually go to Walmart or one of the places that you mentioned, until I get enough oil to do the change. Then I change the oil. You should be able to also find that oil at a full service auto parts store - like NAPA, etc.

I came across the same problem you did, not everyone has the 8 quarts of the 0w-40 on hand. Finally found a good supply @ O'Reilly Auto parts. In a pinch you can use a quart of 0w-30 if needed, it won't harm a thing.

Your Porsche dealer will also sell oil by the quart.

+1. Or Mobil-1 5W-30, if you only need an extra quart. M1 0W40 is often a pain to find, so anytime I see some, especially on sale, I grab it. I always try to keep about 10 quarts around.

Uncle Boo, where are you in New Jersey? I just changed my oil and could get all the 0w-40w I needed at Pep Boys on 22 in the Union area.

Obviously not great for this time of year (especially here in the midwest,) but late spring through early fall Mobil 1 15-50 would be fantastic.

The L.O. G.I. Joe's always seems to have 3 or 4 6-qt. cases of Mobil 1 0W40.

I was told by Mike at TPC not to change weight in the Mobil 1 line. The reason he gave me was that that particular weight had more of a wear additive that is not available in the other weights. He told me this situation started about 3 years ago. This whole converstaion was in response to a qustion if I should use 15w 50 since I live in Puerto Rico and wanted additional protection, and the 0W was not needed. He categorically stated the name of an additive and not to change. He also mention a couple of other brands that did have the additive; I think it was red something.

I might mention that if you are using Mobil 1, a PAO Synthetic, you will not want to use another mineral or synthetic brand oil to make up the difference. Because of the PAO chemistry, unless you have an identical PAO you are looking at compatibility problems. I concur with the above posters about not mixing weights, as well.

Thanks for all the responses. I checked my local hardware store today and they had 2 quarts of Mobile 1 0W-40 left so I bought them. That gave me enough to change my oil with 1 spare quart. I just finished changing my oil and in my opinion it couldn't be any easier. I think it took me longer to find my rhino ramps than it took to change the oil.:thanks:

Mike was referring to Redline. I like Redline more than Mobil-1 and I was using their 5W40 which Mike said works fine. Since last year, Redline has come up with a 0W40 which should work even better for less friction.

Why do you like Redline better? The reason I ask is that the company I used to work for did lots of tests on various oils including ours and Mobile 1 always performed better than Redline and ours.

I’ve never had my oil tested but I have had good results on my last turbo and the other cars with Redline engine oils and gear/transmission fluids. It’s possible to feel the engine rev quicker and smoother than with a Mobil-1fill. I convinced a couple of friends to change out their Mobil-1 to Redline and they confirmed it too. As for their transmission oils, they eliminated my hard/notchy cold weather shifting getting into first. Maybe other synthetics can do the same thing, but Redline is easily available at the local speed shops.

Interesting, our tests were more directed to engine longevity I don't think day-to-day observations were ever measured. Probably because no objective tools to measure that could be designed by the engineers.

An oil analysis is interesting to read, but doesn’t matter too much to me since I never get into high mileage situations and change the oil more frequently than recommended. Maximum engine life is probably more important to car or truck fleet operations than a curious Cayman owner. I'll try almost anything once. You should give the Redline a shot too. Just because it isn't listed on the Porsche approved oils could mean they don't feel the need for the approval or don't want to pay for it. From the latest earnings report, Exxon Mobile can afford a bigger advertising budget since it makes more in one day than Redline makes all year.

FYI, I dropped by a few Advanced Auto Parts and Wal-Marts in the area and I am finding it difficult locating any Mobil 1 Synthetic much less the weights I want (5W-20, 0W-40). I have been told that there is a shortage on Mobil 1 Synthetic (not sure about non-synthetic). Not sure about the reliability of the information but one person said they wouldn't be surprised if this shortage lasts through April. Anybody else notice this or know why? -Moto

Haven't checked recently but try Auto-Zone also. At least in these parts they have been carrying it.