Oil - Can you mix brands??

johnboy_78 · Post by **johnboy_78** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:13 am

I'm looking to find out whether there are any problems in mixing brands of oil?

I had the car (it's 2.2L non-turbo) serviced back in March and had a full oil and filter change done as part of the service and the oil used was fully synthetic 5W40. Having phoned the garage to check, they think that it would most likely have been Comma oil that was used.

I am heading off to the Nurburgring on Thursday and want to take along 1L of oil just to make sure that I have some spare if required. But, can I simply buy any 5W40 Synthetic oil to take with me, or should I be using exactly the same oil as was used at the last service? If so, any recommendations on where to get it before Thursday morning (online is probably out of the question)?

Thanks in advance!

John

tuscan_thunder · Post by **tuscan_thunder** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:41 am

you're not likely to use as much as a litre are you?

I'd say just get something the right viscosity in case you need and then do an oil change when you return.

Post by **Shug** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:56 am

tuscan_thunder wrote:you're not likely to use as much as a litre are you?

I'd say just get something the right viscosity in case you need and then do an oil change when you return.

You do use more on track. 1L would not be out of the question for the Nurburgring inc trips there and back.

tuscan_thunder · Post by **tuscan_thunder** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:08 am

my old fiesta once did a season of hillclimbs and sprints needing no top ups!

(nail of a cvh on 45 Webers etc)

johnboy_78 · Post by **johnboy_78** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:15 am

tuscan_thunder wrote:you're not likely to use as much as a litre are you?

I'd say just get something the right viscosity in case you need and then do an oil change when you return.

I don't expect to use anywhere near as much as a litre - in fact on last year's trip I didn't use a drop!

It is more that I would rather have some just in case I need to top up.

The thing that I did use a lot of last year was fuel. On the way over I was smuggly laughing at all the TVR boys having to fill up their tanks from empty each time we stopped (when I was getting 35mpg!!). But then on track I actually managed to come away with a lower concumption figure than any of the TVR's!!! I achieved an admirable 14mpg for a full tank over 8 laps

mac · Post by **mac** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:41 pm

Multigrade oils are a mix of oils - so it doesn't matter.

Not so sure if your talking about mixing mineral, semi or synthetic though.

Mac

Post by **Shug** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:44 pm

mac wrote:Multigrade oils are a mix of oils - so it doesn't matter.

Not so sure if your talking about mixing mineral, semi or synthetic though.

Mac

Question is pretty clear: Brands. ie. Mobil & Castrol

I don't think he's asking about mixing weights or grades?

johnboy_78 · Post by **johnboy_78** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 4:43 pm

Shug wrote:
mac wrote:Multigrade oils are a mix of oils - so it doesn't matter.

Not so sure if your talking about mixing mineral, semi or synthetic though.

Mac
Question is pretty clear: Brands. ie. Mobil & Castrol

I don't think he's asking about mixing weights or grades?

What he said!

Just wondering whether there are any issues with mixing 2 different brands of fully synthetic 5W40 oil? As I don't have the luxury of time on my hands to find a specific brand.

mac · Post by **mac** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 4:50 pm

They all have to conform to standard - and the action of the crank will make sure they are pretty well mixed up.

Mac

PS: I read and answer the original question - I was only clarifying my response

johnboy_78 · Post by **johnboy_78** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 4:59 pm

mac wrote:They all have to conform to standard - and the action of the crank will make sure they are pretty well mixed up.

Mac

PS: I read and answer the original question - I was only clarifying my response

Excellent! 1L of the finest "whaetver I can get me hands on" oil coming up!