Need oil recommendation

saaber1 · 09-30-2009, 11:56 AM

Hello, picking up an 85' MR2 today and was wondering what is the best oil viscosity to use? I have some m1 0W40 and german castrol 0W30 and redline 5W40 laying around. Does this engine prefer thick or thin oil? What oil change interval is best?

Thanks!

mr2_jake · 09-30-2009, 12:12 PM

I've always used either Kendall GT-1 5w-30 synthetic blend, or Castrol 5-30. Summer or winter, both work excellent. Really depends on personal preference, I suppose.

jsnod25 · 10-01-2009, 07:09 AM

Use Royal Purple brand, or AmsOil, its expensive but it easily lasts 5k miles and dyno tests show an improvment in torque and whp of 5-10 more. Not to mention the Royal Purple is actually purple (which is cool)... those two oils are actual racing grade oils. I wouldnt put it in a truck or SUV, not that it wouldnt be good for it, but your not going to notice the benifits. Its made for high preformance engines with high rpm's.

dirocyn · 10-01-2009, 01:12 PM

It depends on how worn your bearings are. My 86 has 225k miles, if I use 10w30 it reads fine cold, but zero oil pressure at idle when hot (not good). 10w40 is not much better. Using 20w50, at hot idle it reads about 1/4 of the way up. If I knew where to buy 10w60, I'd consider it. But that's on my high-mileage car, yours may do fine on 0w20.

Thinner oil means less friction, but you want your oil pressure needle up far enough you can tell it's not at zero, at all times. I'd start with a cheap oil in the middle of the range (10w30 or 40) and see where the oil pressure is. Then change viscosity up or down according to the actual oil pressure on your car.

jsnod25 · 10-01-2009, 04:13 PM

i use 10w30 and i have between 50% to 80% pressure at all times, 50% at idle, 80% in acceloration, and it has 215k miles...

Pilot · 10-03-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirocyn

... I'd start with a cheap oil in the middle of the range (10w30 or 40) and see where the oil pressure is. Then change viscosity up or down according to the actual oil pressure on your car.

Does anyone use either the 15W40 or synthetic 5W40 Rotella? It meets the Toyota manual API specification (at least for the MK1, don't know about the MK2 or MK3) and from my experience in other vehicles it is an exceptional oil with high Zinc & Phosporus content to keep the engine clean and lubricated. And, on sale, can be bought for $10.00 a gallon.

Nice oil thread >> Which Motor Oil Do You Use

surfer8 · 10-21-2009, 11:00 PM

I just changed to Castrol Edge. Its a 100% synthetic 10w30. It claims to be good for one full year. I have 7 vehicles and hate changing oil every 3 months (some cars have less than 50 miles in 3 months).
Advance Auto is having a special- 5 quarts and filter for $25 until 10/28/09
Advance Auto has a $10 off $25 spent coupon.
Castrol has a $15 rebate.

Total cost for the oil change was $1.06.

ToyotaTechGeek · 10-22-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saaber1

Hello, picking up an 85' MR2 today and was wondering what is the best oil viscosity to use? I have some m1 0W40 and german castrol 0W30 and redline 5W40 laying around. Does this engine prefer thick or thin oil? What oil change interval is best?

Thanks!

for the millionth time,

PLEASE CONSIDER THE MILEAGE OF THE ENGINE BEFORE THINKING ABOUT SWITCHING TO A SYNTHETIC OR SYNTHETIC BLEND IF THE ENGINE HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN SERVICED USING CONVENTIONAL OIL.

that being said, depends really on your climate/season for weight of oil. the 0W30 would be great for colder climates. 10 or 5W30 is fine for most applications. some like to use 20W50 for hotter, harsher environments. some use it for 'race' grade oil. as for mileage, it really depends on a few things: air filtration/contaminant level, and what you'd like to believe. 3k miles is the old adage, but current oil 'technology' dictates a longer service interval due to updated detergent quality/quantity. RedLine used to have a service interval of 7.5k-10k miles with an oil filter change at the halfway point along with top-off.

ToyotaTechGeek · 10-22-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilot

Does anyone use either the 15W40 or synthetic 5W40 Rotella? It meets the Toyota manual API specification (at least for the MK1, don't know about the MK2 or MK3) and from my experience in other vehicles it is an exceptional oil with high Zinc & Phosporus content to keep the engine clean and lubricated. And, on sale, can be bought for $10.00 a gallon.

Nice oil thread >> Which Motor Oil Do You Use

rotella is diesel engine oil, isn't it?

Medusa · 10-22-2009, 02:03 PM

I'd buy whatever oil has the highest API grade (the most current is SM, if I remember correctly). And once you start building up your motor, I'd run full synthetic. But if it's stock, synthetic vs. conventional vs. partial synthetic won't make much of a difference.

Diesel oils (API 'C' grade) have more detergents and zinc. So you could run diesel oil every few oil changes and keep your engine really clean.

ToyotaTechGeek · 10-22-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medusa

And once you start building up your motor, I'd run full synthetic.

of course this is all personal preference, but it is important to mention that a 'proper' break-in period should preceede use of synthetic oil. of course 'proper' and break-in periods are left up to interpretation.

Medusa · 10-22-2009, 11:36 PM

^ I forgot to mention that. I agree with you completely, I've always been taught that during a break in period you need to run conventional.

But for normal operation of a higher-performance build, full synthetic will be more beneficial.

Pilot · 10-23-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToyotaTechGeek

rotella is diesel engine oil, isn't it?

Rotella has the API certification required for many car engines, such as MK2's, and the additional API certification required for diesel engines which means more phosphorus (keeps engine clean) and more zinc (protects moving parts). Most standard oils for cars could not pass the additional tests required for diesel engines because those oils can not withstand the pressure and stress that oils like Rotella are formulated to take. And no, I am not a Rotella salesman.

Medusa · 10-23-2009, 10:00 PM

Damn. You said what I said, only better.

RC MR2 · 10-24-2009, 11:39 AM

awlays try using amsoil. works really well wit my car

Pilot · 10-24-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RC MR2

awlays try using amsoil. works really well wit my car

Amsoil is for rich people. Rotella is for poor people that want an oil that works as well at about 1/2 the price.

dirocyn · 10-24-2009, 05:39 PM

I use Rotella in my diesel pickup. Never considered using it in my MR2, but I may start.

RC MR2 · 10-24-2009, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilot

Amsoil is for rich people. Rotella is for poor people that want an oil that works as well at about 1/2 the price.

my uncle is a dealer of amsoil so i pretty much get free amsoil from him

LOL

09-30-2009, 11:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
saaber1 No Skills Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Need oil recommendation Hello, picking up an 85' MR2 today and was wondering what is the best oil viscosity to use? I have some m1 0W40 and german castrol 0W30 and redline 5W40 laying around. Does this engine prefer thick or thin oil? What oil change interval is best? Thanks!

10-01-2009, 07:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
jsnod25 How did this get changed? Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Va beach, va Posts: 133 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Use Royal Purple brand, or AmsOil, its expensive but it easily lasts 5k miles and dyno tests show an improvment in torque and whp of 5-10 more. Not to mention the Royal Purple is actually purple (which is cool)... those two oils are actual racing grade oils. I wouldnt put it in a truck or SUV, not that it wouldnt be good for it, but your not going to notice the benifits. Its made for high preformance engines with high rpm's. Last edited by jsnod25; 10-01-2009 at 07:15 AM..

10-21-2009, 11:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
surfer8 tenacity Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SE Indiana Posts: 164 Thanks: 10 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	Almost free oil change I just changed to Castrol Edge. Its a 100% synthetic 10w30. It claims to be good for one full year. I have 7 vehicles and hate changing oil every 3 months (some cars have less than 50 miles in 3 months). Advance Auto is having a special- 5 quarts and filter for $25 until 10/28/09 Advance Auto has a $10 off $25 spent coupon. Castrol has a $15 rebate. Total cost for the oil change was $1.06.

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09-30-2009, 12:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
mr2_jake Many skills... Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Billings, MT Posts: 83 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I've always used either Kendall GT-1 5w-30 synthetic blend, or Castrol 5-30. Summer or winter, both work excellent. Really depends on personal preference, I suppose.

10-01-2009, 01:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
dirocyn Cage Fighter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 1,178 Thanks: 14 Thanked 110 Times in 108 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	It depends on how worn your bearings are. My 86 has 225k miles, if I use 10w30 it reads fine cold, but zero oil pressure at idle when hot (not good). 10w40 is not much better. Using 20w50, at hot idle it reads about 1/4 of the way up. If I knew where to buy 10w60, I'd consider it. But that's on my high-mileage car, yours may do fine on 0w20. Thinner oil means less friction, but you want your oil pressure needle up far enough you can tell it's not at zero, at all times. I'd start with a cheap oil in the middle of the range (10w30 or 40) and see where the oil pressure is. Then change viscosity up or down according to the actual oil pressure on your car.

10-01-2009, 04:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
jsnod25 How did this get changed? Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Va beach, va Posts: 133 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	i use 10w30 and i have between 50% to 80% pressure at all times, 50% at idle, 80% in acceloration, and it has 215k miles...

10-22-2009, 02:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
Medusa HAY GUISE! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 752 Thanks: 9 Thanked 18 Times in 17 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I'd buy whatever oil has the highest API grade (the most current is SM, if I remember correctly). And once you start building up your motor, I'd run full synthetic. But if it's stock, synthetic vs. conventional vs. partial synthetic won't make much of a difference. Diesel oils (API 'C' grade) have more detergents and zinc. So you could run diesel oil every few oil changes and keep your engine really clean.

10-22-2009, 11:36 PM	#12 (permalink)
Medusa HAY GUISE! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 752 Thanks: 9 Thanked 18 Times in 17 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	^ I forgot to mention that. I agree with you completely, I've always been taught that during a break in period you need to run conventional. But for normal operation of a higher-performance build, full synthetic will be more beneficial.

10-23-2009, 10:00 PM	#14 (permalink)
Medusa HAY GUISE! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 752 Thanks: 9 Thanked 18 Times in 17 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Damn. You said what I said, only better.

10-24-2009, 11:39 AM	#15 (permalink)
RC MR2 FREZH Join Date: May 2009 Location: Richmond,VA Posts: 222 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	awlays try using amsoil. works really well wit my car

10-24-2009, 05:39 PM	#17 (permalink)
dirocyn Cage Fighter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 1,178 Thanks: 14 Thanked 110 Times in 108 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I use Rotella in my diesel pickup. Never considered using it in my MR2, but I may start.