vr4Legacy Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 This may sound like a weird/dumb question but here goes. Is it ok to mix types of oil (not grades)? Here's the situation since our car takes a little over 4 quarts of oil for a change I have about 5 or 6 more than half full quarts of oil. It's all 5w30 but it's different brands. I tend to buy what's on sale at the time. It's mostly synthetic blend, but a couple are full synthetic and one is Dino oil think, some is from previous Impreza and Wrangler changes. I figure oil is oil is oil... you truly don't get it all out when change it anyway, unless you do a flush, so your really mixing oil anyway. I've been hesitant to do this, not sure why, so just wanted to get everyone's $.02 Please don't turn this into a thread about how I should use a certain oil brand and should'nt buy what's on sale. I stick with quality oil (Castrol, Pennzoil, Valvoline) but if Advance is running one cheaper, I'm gonna go with it. Thanks for your input!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbrjason Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 I wouldn't do it. While I doubt you will see any problems, different oils have different additives packages they may or may not mix well. I'm always hesitant to even top off with a different oil even though I know it's not going to matter. I certainly couldn't imagine using half of 5 or 6 different kinds though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 As far as I know there shouldn't be any problems mixing oils, and I think that's one of the requirements on oil manufacturers to make sure that there aren't any additives that can have ill effects when intermixing. Since an oil change never completely replaces all the oil in the engine this is actually an important factor. But that said - it would be good to keep to one brand of oil and not intentionally mix oils unless you have a good reason to do it. And also keep in mind that a turbo engine is more sensitive since the turbo can get very hot, so reserve the mixed oils for some naturally aspirated engine. Maybe it's time to take care of the lawnmower? And considering that the turbo gets hot - a good idea would be to go for synthetic since that kind of oil generally is more stable while dino oil is a mix of hydrocarbons where some changes easier than others and can therefore easier build coke residue in the turbo when it gets hot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Wow another thread like this. IMO you can mix synthetic oils. Personally I wouldn't waste the money. I have used them in the past but now use Dino oil, whatever is on sale at Walmart 5w30 or 10w30 depends on summer or winter. I have no issues from mixing brands or weight's in the almost 40 years that I have been doing my own oil changes. My 05gt wagon runs fine with 106,800 miles. Cobb AP stage 1 93 octane since about 8,000 miles. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecBee Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Where's RAO when you need him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vr4Legacy Posted May 2, 2009 Author Share Posted May 2, 2009 Another thread like this??? I tried searching and had no luck.... I don't find the search feature very useful IMO.... Thanks for the responses. As for going straight synthetic, my Subaru dealer said Subaru put out a publication NOT to use full synthetic as it is too thin and the engine consumes it quickly. Not sure how a synthetic is thinner than a comparable DINO of equal weight???? They use a blend when they do changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rao Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 I have read that this is a very bad idea. I have also read that blending synthetics with regular oil is a very bad idea. Rob IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR CAR YOU SHOULD NEVER DRIVE IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vr4Legacy Posted May 2, 2009 Author Share Posted May 2, 2009 not to doubt you RAO, but where have you read this? I'm just curious to read the reasoning behind this, I have my own theories as to why it would be bad, and obviously there are a few on here...... Looks like my Wheel Horse might be getting a well deserved oil change with some quality oil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Another thread like this??? I tried searching and had no luck.... I don't find the search feature very useful IMO.... Thanks for the responses. As for going straight synthetic, my Subaru dealer said Subaru put out a publication NOT to use full synthetic as it is too thin and the engine consumes it quickly. Not sure how a synthetic is thinner than a comparable DINO of equal weight???? They use a blend when they do changes. Try this link and linked pages: http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1664482#post1664482 Personally I avoid Dino oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outahere Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 This may sound like a weird/dumb question but here goes. Is it ok to mix types of oil (not grades)?........ Not harmful, but far from optimum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apexi Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Yes, you can mix the oils without worry. Nothing bad will happen at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rao Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 I read it on http://www.legaccygt.com. Once you get the different brands of oil mixing together there is no telling what the molecules will do - you are likely to get either very large ones that will block all of the engine passages or very small ones that will leak, either way it is bad. Rob IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR CAR YOU SHOULD NEVER DRIVE IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devobuzz Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 ^lol Aren't you supposed to turn on sarcasm <sarcasm> and turn it off </sarcasm> or have you given up on oil threads. heh heh heh.... oh nevermind, I just read the disclaimer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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