Motor Oil

[ViperRyan]

I am sure there is a thread hidden deep within the archives on this subject.

I thought I'd create one and bring it to the surface. Curious what you guys are running for Motor Oil in your Vipers. I have not had to change the oil yet. I run Mobil 1 in my SRT8, but curious what you all prefer and anything you'd like to add.

Spring is finally approaching!

[swexlin]

This should be entertaining.......but I'll bite.

As long as I'm under warranty, I let my Viper tech do my changes, and I use the factory fill Pennzoil in my Gen 5.

[Bill Pemberton]

Just from a Dealer perspective , we are now running the Shell/Pennzoil Ultra Premium Synthetic ( made from natural gas ) in our customer cars, unless they request different. We also carry a wide range of Mobil 1 and I don't think you can go wrong with either. Would suggest you go with the 0-40W with either brand , though.

Now let the fun begin , as Swexlin suggested ,ha!

[ViperRyan]

Just from a Dealer perspective , we are now running the Shell/Pennzoil Ultra Premium Synthetic ( made from natural gas ) in our customer cars, unless they request different. We also carry a wide range of Mobil 1 and I don't think you can go wrong with either. Would suggest you go with the 0-40W with either brand , though.

Now let the fun begin , as Swexlin suggested ,ha!

Is this a sensitive subject, one which brings out assholes like the dinner bell at a fat camp.......such as Dave6666??

I'm just curious what guys are using, I've used Mobil 1 in the SRT since I've had it, I believe the same weight 0-40W.

[Chiliphil1]

Does anyone run the Castrol 0w40 European forumula? The made in Germany stuff?

[ViperSRT]

I have run Mobil 1 10w-30 in Gen 1 and Mobil 1 0w-40 and 15w-50 in the Gen 3 (supercharged), depending on usage (street vs track). Now with Gen V new oil I also use Pennzoil 0w-40 depending on which I find a deal on. Last year I got several cases of Pennzoil 0w-40 at a very low price, so that is it for a while.

The important thing is full synthetic only and the correct viscosity. Higher viscosity for track usage.

[ViperRyan]

I have run Mobil 1 10w-30 in Gen 1 and Mobil 1 0w-40 and 15w-50 in the Gen 3 (supercharged), depending on usage (street vs track). Now with Gen V new oil I also use Pennzoil 0w-40 depending on which I find a deal on. Last year I got several cases of Pennzoil 0w-40 at a very low price, so that is it for a while.

The important thing is full synthetic only and the correct viscosity. Higher viscosity for track usage.

Thanks for your information! I may see a couple track days this year, if I can make it. Just want to make sure I am putting in the best all around for my car.

[Ripper]

I run Brad-Penn in both Vipers and most all of my other cars. http://www.penngrade.com/penngrade-1/

The others get Redline https://www.redlineoil.com/


These are the top of the heap for me and what I keep in supply..

[ViperRyan]

I run Brad-Penn in both Vipers and most all of my other cars. http://www.penngrade.com/penngrade-1/

The others get Redline https://www.redlineoil.com/


These are the top of the heap for me and what I keep in supply..

Never heard of either. What made you go with these, over the Penn/Mobil 1 etc?

[99RT10]

Tom , the resident F&O guy swears by the Diesel oils because of the extra additives. I like using 5W-40 synth in mine.

[capevettes]

After I bought my Gen 2 GTS I posed this question to John Hinckley, who was the Viper Plant manager during the Gen 2 era. His response was that if oil was such a big deal you would see more engines failing. He recommended I use what the manual stipulates, Mobil 1 10W 30. That's what I use. This topic always gets a wide variety of answers as we all try to out think the engineers that designed the cars.

[Ripper]

Never heard of either. What made you go with these, over the Penn/Mobil 1 etc?

Have used both for many years with excellent results

Engine builder for my GEN III was who first turned me on to the Brad Penn

Another friend recommended the Redline to me about 15 years ago




All a matter of personal preference really.

[Ripper]

^^^Another really good choice

[Heysie]

Motul V300 15W50
Track use only.

[98RedGTS]

Just from a Dealer perspective , we are now running the Shell/Pennzoil Ultra Premium Synthetic ( made from natural gas ) in our customer cars, unless they request different. We also carry a wide range of Mobil 1 and I don't think you can go wrong with either. Would suggest you go with the 0-40W with either brand , though.

Now let the fun begin , as Swexlin suggested ,ha!

I've noticed a switch from Mobil 1 to other brands recently. in your opinion have they not kept up with the times and now other brands are surpassing them in quality? I know that's a loaded question but I'm curious to know from someone that spends a lot of time around servicing cars.

[98RedGTS]

Is this a sensitive subject, one which brings out assholes like the dinner bell at a fat camp.

Kind of but it's like anything else though where their isn't a super clear line on what's best/better. Everyone has their opinions from their experience and expertise. If that doesn't match then debates pop up.

[SA Heat]

I use the tears of Corvette owners.

[ViperSRT]

I see Costco has a sale on Mobil 1 right now for $27 a case of 6. Including 0w-40, which I think is new for them. Is that a good deal?

[Steve-Indy]

I see Costco has a sale on Mobil 1 right now for $27 a case of 6. Including 0w-40, which I think is new for them. Is that a good deal?

Yes.

WalMart 5 quart jug is $25.47...which equals $5.09 per quart before tax.

Per your post, Costco would be $4.50 per quart.

[ViperSRT]

And you don't have to step inside Walmart! Heck of a bonus as Costco is delivered for free.

[Steve-Indy]

Something to consider when defending your favorite oil brand/formulation:

Things change !!!

Having followed Virgin Oil Analyses on Mobil 1 since 2001 as well as Viper Used Oil Analyses (and a few Porsche's as well as Mercedes)...one can see that additive packages change, base stocks change, and some test results change...with or without obvious or subtle change in the packaging.

Amongst the full synthetics mentioned (plus others)...in my opinion, keeping the oil level appropriately full via regular checks is more important than splitting hairs on the brands. Matching the oil to the utilization of the car becomes very important with performance driving and extreme environments.

[BrianACR]

I use the tears of Corvette owners.

Lol good one

[ICPREY]

I use Amsoil 0W-40 Signature Series. I'm local to a warehouse so I end up paying maybe $0.50 more a qt than if I were to buy Mobil 1/Penzoil from an autoparts store (I know Walmart has it cheaper). I did use their Dominator 15W-50 oil while I lived in Georgia, but Pennsylvania doesn't get as hot. My guess is most Viper guys change oil on frequency instead of miles considering the they don't rack up the miles. Any good synthetic with the factory filter will work fine.

If you really want to find out how the oil is performing then send it off to Blackstone. I have used the same Amsoil Signature Series oil in my daily driven 09 Srt 8 Jeep for 10K miles (Amsoil advertises 25K mile limit) and the oil sample came back with excellent results. They even mentioned I could go even longer between change intervals.

[Chiliphil1]

Something to consider when defending your favorite oil brand/formulation:

Things change !!!

Having followed Virgin Oil Analyses on Mobil 1 since 2001 as well as Viper Used Oil Analyses (and a few Porsche's as well as Mercedes)...one can see that additive packages change, base stocks change, and some test results change...with or without obvious or subtle change in the packaging.

Amongst the full synthetics mentioned (plus others)...in my opinion, keeping the oil level appropriately full via regular checks is more important than splitting hairs on the brands. Matching the oil to the utilization of the car becomes very important with performance driving and extreme environments.

This is a good point. I have actually read some bad things about Mobil1. Lots of things about them not using synthetic base stocks and other bits, none of which I can verify. I've also read that the parts at Wal-mart are not equal to dealer parts, this could be true or false but I have read on many GM forums that the AC/Delco oil filters at Wal-Mart are not the same ones the dealer sells, even with the same part number. The rumor is that the WM filters are not built to the same quality standards. There have been several tests that seem to confirm this. Not saying that oils or all brands of filters are this way but it does seem to hold true for Delco. I know WM has motorcraft and mopar oil filters but I am not sure their quality level.

All of that said I do stil buy oil at WM, can't beat the prices.

[WDW MKR]

Yes