motor oil mixing

[TimfmCT]

I bought a case of synthetic blend 5w 30 motor oil. Didn't notice that till I got home. Can I use it to top off regular engine oil?
thanks

[TimfmCT]

wa8yxm wrote:

Trackrig wrote:
I'm old school from when that was a strict no no. I've always found it simpler to not mix things so I don't have to strain the brain on what works and what doesn't. I'd return the oil or save it for my next oil change.

Bill

Well, long long time ago (I'm thinking '60's might be 70's) there was ONE synthetic maker who used a base that was not compatible and thus the rule was "once you switch, DO NOT MIX, DO NOT SWITCH BACK) however this base also ate seals so they only made that formula for a very short time. The company is still in business, I will not name them, but their product today is safe to mix with other oils and no longer eats seals for lunch.

To the Original poster:

Your product is already a blend of Synthetic (more likely highly refined dino) and regular Dino oil.. So yes, you can mix it, no problem.. Mix and match as you wish.. The only "Issue" is if you are using it to top off a crankcase full of regular oil, you paid too much.

By the way, My crankcase has blended in it now. That is all the dealer who changes my oil (Best price in the neighborhood) uses. They charge me what a Dino only change would cost elsewhere.

Thanks for the info. I purchased a case of this 5w 30 @ $2.60/qt
thinking it was regular oil. Seemed to be a reasonable price.
Glad to hear I can use it .

[wa8yxm]

Trackrig wrote:
I'm old school from when that was a strict no no. I've always found it simpler to not mix things so I don't have to strain the brain on what works and what doesn't. I'd return the oil or save it for my next oil change.

Bill

Well, long long time ago (I'm thinking '60's might be 70's) there was ONE synthetic maker who used a base that was not compatible and thus the rule was "once you switch, DO NOT MIX, DO NOT SWITCH BACK) however this base also ate seals so they only made that formula for a very short time. The company is still in business, I will not name them, but their product today is safe to mix with other oils and no longer eats seals for lunch.

To the Original poster:

Your product is already a blend of Synthetic (more likely highly refined dino) and regular Dino oil.. So yes, you can mix it, no problem.. Mix and match as you wish.. The only "Issue" is if you are using it to top off a crankcase full of regular oil, you paid too much.

By the way, My crankcase has blended in it now. That is all the dealer who changes my oil (Best price in the neighborhood) uses. They charge me what a Dino only change would cost elsewhere.

[TimfmCT]

Thanks for the rapid replies.
It's an older vehicle (1999) that needs topping off from time to time.
Being a synthetic blend, I guess its a mix already. I didn't consider that.
thanks again,

[fj12ryder]

Not an issue.

[Shadow_Catcher]

Synthetic comes from conventional oil stock and mixing it is not a problem as long as it meats the same or better API standard.

[Trackrig]

I'm old school from when that was a strict no no. I've always found it simpler to not mix things so I don't have to strain the brain on what works and what doesn't. I'd return the oil or save it for my next oil change.

Bill

[jfkmk]

Synthetic, synthetic blend and conventional oils are completely compatible with one another.

[GordonThree]

According to Valvoline (one of the oldest in the business), you can switch between their standard, blended and full synthetic oils without issue. dunno if that applies to other oils.

I have switched between grades on my Subaru, and the engine hasn't exploded. Normally I run full syn high mileage but one change, they were back ordered, so I went with standard high milage, and then back to full syn six months later.

source: http://www.valvoline.com/faqs/motor-oil/full-synthetic-motor-oil/37