Wal-Mart oil and filter question

[diesel4me]

oil is..well..oil!

I used to be very anal about only using one "name brand" of oil,and never using any "cheap" oil..but since I've been unemployed,and every penny counts,I started using the "Tech 2000" brand from the Wal-Mart 1/2 mile away..I figured it was Quaker State or one of the other "big" names oil in bottles with Wal-Marts label on it..

I doubted Wal-Mart had their own "cheap" refinery,nor would Quaker State or whoever it is supplying them,endanger their reputaion,(or change their formula,which probably isn't easy to do!),so they could sell oil to Wal-Mart...and changing my oil with anything was better than letting it go well beyond the 3000 mile limit..

So far,none of my vehicles have had sludge build up,excessive wear or smoking,etc..I don't like reading it could be "reclaimed" oil though..

Wal-Mart isn't the only place that sells "cheap" oil..I see "TVI" brand in many parts stores here for 99 cents a qt..and my friend uses it 90% of the time on his customers cars,unless they supply and specify otherwise..many of them have well over 100,000 miles too..and the owners figure if its got that many miles,why waste money on a high price oil or synthetic,when it could throw a rod ,timing chain,or blow a head gasket any day anyhow?..

I feel if the oil has the "SJ" or whatever rating on it,good enough for new cars,its more than adequate for my antiques with 100 grand or more on them..as long as you use quality FILTERS,and change the oil every 3000 miles,I very much doubt even "cheap" oil will cause any damage or sludge..that is usually due to short trips,and other factors more than the oil itself..MOST of the time that is..

Sure,I'd love to be able to buy 100% synthetic for all 3 of my vehicles,preferably Castrol or Mobil 1,or Amsoil..but I'll have to hit the lottery first..and switching to synthetic might do mare harm than good on an older enginge,despite its superior anti-wear capability..I'm not reccomending cheap oil for ALL vehicles,but for ones like mine,it makes sense..

I do use Shell Rotella "T" 15/40 sometimes in my 305 as well as the 6.2,if I can buy it bulk and get a good price..Sludge isn't a problem if you use diesel rated oil..I do lots of "6 mile runs",and my valves and rockers on the 305 are clean as can be,with over 120,000 on it..

 

[randy88k5]

Penzoil used to make their Super Tech conventional oil, I don't know about the synthetic, but it probably comes from Penzoil too. All of Walmart's bulk oil tanks are either Penzoil or Quaker State, but Penzoil is their main supplier.

I bought a case of Super Tech 2000 oil a while ago, and on the shipping label on the box it said Quaker State.

I have never been a fan of Quaker State or Pennziol. They say reformulated, but they had a problem with their oils sludging up a while back. A friend of mine from PA refuses to use either oil after seeing some of the results of using their oil. I prefer Valvoline or Havoline conventional oils (Texas low-ash). Now with all the new stuff I have I run Mobil 1 full synthetic.

Cheap oils are OK, but you get what you pay for. I dont mind the extra few bucks for the peace of mind.

 

[kp texan]

As stated above, the SuperTech filters are made by Champion labs which is the came company that makes several of the much better filters (certainly better than Fram). With a combination of the SuperTech filter and Phillips Tropartic at Wal-Mart for about $1.88 a quart, I'm able to get a high quality oil change for a low price. Its not something I'd do with my Corvette (it only gets Mobil 1 as the oil fill cap states), but I think the hearty old 350 TBI in my Blazer works great with that combination of oil and filter.

-Wes

 

[Thunder]

I have been using wal mart oil=Quaker State. And filters=Champ labs. Champ makes good filters. Much better than fram.
I have been using walmart products for many many years in all my vehicles. Even my daughters Trubo Jetta which requires Syn oil with no ill effects. I like their synthetic oil. Cant beat the price. My highest milage car is a 93 Pontiac Bonneville 3.8l with 160,000 miles on the clock. This car has had an almost steady diet of Wall Mart lube products for at least the last 100,000 miles and still runs strong never had any engine or tranny issues. I had the valve covers off to put in new gaskets and it was very clean inside, no sludge. Still has great oil PSI
I aint trying to say that wally world stuff it the best out there. But it works for me. I sleep very sound every night without any worries at all about my lubricants or filters.