One of our senior marketing projects in college was to develop a campaign for a "hypothetical" oil company.

After a couple months of research we learned one key point: for the average consumer brand, oil is oil.

The only real difference is in how the brand is marketed, i.e. which race team/driver do you like, what is your favorite packaging color and logo font, do they emphasize engine performance vs. protection, which oil did your dad use, etc.

This was before synthetics were as prevalent so there may be differences now that I'm not aware of, but from what I've read and the experience above, they probably aren't noticeable to the average consumer.

...but I am gonna look for those K. **** and S. Banana brands on the shelf next time

Here's a Consumer Reports article on testing oil brands: http://www.ganoa.org/Motor_oil2.htm

 

Thanks for the input. When/if I get my other car through damn California SMOG, needs surgery, I'd like to do the GT's rear end.

Really a pisser when I've been getting my old ride through the SMOG test for 23 years as it sits, and now some little **** ant says, basically, "it passed the sniff test, but, not the eye test, you've changed out the thermoreactor with a "49 State Manifold" so it fails the test. [:@]

 

Fact is - you'll get as many different replies as people replying. Alot of personal preference and experiences. Fact be known, ANY in spec engine oil changed every 5K will allow your engine to outlast your love of the car. MERCON V ATF (if applicable) is a pretty tough spec and all ATF fluidsmeeting this spec will perform well. I do not buy into the "fill for life" deal, and will change it every 24K like my old automatics, and it too will outlast the car. Lastly, I would chnage your rear-end's fluid between 1K and 5K. There's alot of metal pieces in there (looks like glitter). Some would rightly argue that rear-ends with factory fills will outlast the car. They're probably right, but I can't believe all that metal in the gear oil does any good. I will change the rear end fluid every 50K - again like all my cars and trucks, and will expect no problems with the rear for as long as I own the car.

Also note that fluid specs set a MINIMUM for quality, and many fluids that are not "certified" under that spec are in fact better. Redline and Amsoil products come to mind, but their use may cause some warantee concerns with some, although I believe overstated.