Castrol Syntec Blend Question?

M

Mark Williams

I need to add some oil, but in checking the oil tag in the window, found out
that Subaru dealership used Castrol Syntec Blend. Do I have to go out and
find this exact blend or is okay to mix with regular oil? Do you always
need to make sure you have the same weight too... if so, does the Subaru
Dealership have a certain weight they always use?
 
Mark said:
I need to add some oil, but in checking the oil tag in the window, found out
that Subaru dealership used Castrol Syntec Blend. Do I have to go out and
find this exact blend or is okay to mix with regular oil? Do you always
need to make sure you have the same weight too... if so, does the Subaru
Dealership have a certain weight they always use?
Click to expand...

Check your manual.
In general, folks run lots of different oils and seem to ceaselessly
discuss the issue. Any 5w-30 or 10w-40 SM (maybe SL) will be just fine
until you can do further research. It's more important to have close to
a proper fill level than leave it out for fear of mixing in 15-20% or so
that is a little different.

It might help those who wish to respond (and there will be plenty I
guess) if you could tell us the year, model, mileage, condition and
driving 'style'/usage the car is operated under, time/mileage since last
oil change and what the dipstick indicates.

Carl
 
Mark Williams said:
I need to add some oil, but in checking the oil tag in the window, found out
that Subaru dealership used Castrol Syntec Blend. Do I have to go out and
find this exact blend or is okay to mix with regular oil? Do you always
need to make sure you have the same weight too... if so, does the Subaru
Dealership have a certain weight they always use?
Click to expand...

Mixing is fine, won't hurt anything. Generally 10-40 is the weight you
want, but better to have enough oil than to drive with it low as you shop
for the "perfect" oil.
 
I need to add some oil, but in checking the oil tag in the window, found out
that Subaru dealership used Castrol Syntec Blend. Do I have to go out and
find this exact blend or is okay to mix with regular oil? Do you always
need to make sure you have the same weight too... if so, does the Subaru
Dealership have a certain weight they always use?
Click to expand...

Any synthetic, organic, or blended oil can be mixed with any other oil
as long as they all have the proper API/SAE ratings. In the long term
it's probably best to stick with one brand and type due to the
different additive packages they use, but in any case mixing them
won't harm your engine.
 
Mark Williams said:
I need to add some oil, but in checking the oil tag in the window, found
out that Subaru dealership used Castrol Syntec Blend. Do I have to go
out and find this exact blend or is okay to mix with regular oil? Do you
always need to make sure you have the same weight too... if so, does the
Subaru Dealership have a certain weight they always use?
Click to expand...

Additional info...

Here is the response from the dealership service department...

"Yes you need to use the same weight if at all possible - 5W-30 - since we
use a blend you can add either petroleum based or synthetic oils. Castrol
5W-30 Syntec Blend would be the best choice though."
 
Hi,

Since the dealer told you the weight they use (5W-30), you're safe using
any oil of that weight that meets (or exceeds--e.g. if the book calls
for an SJ, SL or SM are fine, etc. The letters work UP with each new
spec) the API S-rating you should find in your manual for topping up, as
others have said, though I'm one who DOES like to use the same brand and
type (a benefit of doing my own changes.)

Castrol Syntec Blend is NOT rare--any auto parts store that stocks
Castrol products probably has it. As do many of the "mart" stores. Cost
in my area is about halfway between GTX "dino" oil and Syntec "full
synthetic" (let's not start down THAT road again, guys!) at the regular
parts stores, less of a difference over dino at the "marts."

Good luck!

Rick
 
Unless you are still breaking in your car you have a perfect
opportunity to create
your own synthetic blend by adding a quart or so of Mobil 1 5w30
or SuperTech 5w30 synthetic. Now that the winter is over 10w30 is
probably even better.
There was a link to a very useful article by some insider from
the oil industry on the differences in synthetics.

I won't ever use 20w50 again unless I absolutely have to!!!
 
Body said:
your own synthetic blend by adding a quart or so of Mobil 1 5w30
or SuperTech 5w30 synthetic. Now that the winter is over 10w30 is
Click to expand...

Hi,

SuperTech synthetic (Wal-Mart's house brand) is the same price as Syntec
Blend at our local Wally World, and only about $2 more for a 5 qt jug
than regular GTX! Might as well just go all the way instead of trying to
outsmart the guys who do this for a living, eh?

BTW, I put the SuperTech synthetic in one of my vehicles last change to
"test" against the gentleman's comments in that link I posted some time
back. At 2500 miles, it seems to work as well to the "untrained eye" as
the more costly synthetics I've tried in the past (Mobil 1, Amsoil.)
Maybe the guy's really on to something?

Rick
 
Rick said:
Hi,

SuperTech synthetic (Wal-Mart's house brand) is the same price as Syntec
Blend at our local Wally World, and only about $2 more for a 5 qt jug
than regular GTX! Might as well just go all the way instead of trying to
outsmart the guys who do this for a living, eh?
Click to expand...

I think Mr. Burns voiced an opinion the other day that the oil should
not be wasted
unnecessarily. If the original poster needed a full oil change he would
not have asked the question in the first place.
Besides, the oil guy mentioned in his article that even small additions
of synthetic
to dyno oils add tremendous benefits to the properties of the mix.

Yours,
Smithers
 
Body said:
If the original poster needed a full oil change he would
not have asked the question in the first place.
Besides, the oil guy mentioned in his article that even small
additions of synthetic
Click to expand...

Understood--perhaps I wasn't clear. I was thinking toward the "next" oil
change--thought that's what you were suggesting, too, though in
re-reading your post, it looks like I misread. Sorry 'bout that!

Only one suggestion, though, on the present "topping up" situation: the
OP should still stick w/ whatever grade is already in the sump even with
weather changes coming. Mixing grades is generally agreed to be a less
than perfect idea.

Rick
 
Larry said:
@iname.com:




According to who?
Click to expand...

He said 'less than perfect'. He did not say damaging or even to be
avoided. Explain why you don't agree. If 'perfect' is the grade that A.
is among those recommended by the manufacturer and B. is appropriate for
the operating conditions of the vehicle , are you saying 'perfection' is
better achieved by purposefully choosing a different grade?

Carl
 
Carl, with due respect, the question ti Rick was "according to who?"

I would also appreciate it Rick could amplify his answer with some
background and supportive material.

regards
 
Tony said:
Carl, with due respect, the question ti Rick was "according to who?"

I would also appreciate it Rick could amplify his answer with some
background and supportive material.

regards
Click to expand...

Sorry, it seems like common sense, but I suppose one could send a sample
for oil analysis to see if the viscosity has shifted before one topped
up with 1/2 liter. I'll sit back and 'have a cold tube' and some popcorn
now!

Carl
 
Tony Burns (permanent dismisser of Andy said:
I would also appreciate it Rick could amplify his answer with some
background and supportive material.
Click to expand...

Tony,

While not everyone has access to industry people to talk to as I did
years ago, I seriously doubt there's been a big shift in philosophy
within the industry, so that's probably no big loss. Still, anyone can
do as I do today: search engines are your friend. :) Try the
manufacturers websites, the Bobistheoilguy site, or some of the 2.4
million hits Google returns when typing in "mixing viscosity" for
starters. Variations on the search term will probably provide enough
reading to keep you busy for the rest of the weekend... :D Happy Easter!

Rick
 
Stay off the popcorn, its not healthy, but a cold beer, now you're
talking.
 

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 99 (members: 0, guests: 99)

Forum statistics

Threads
13,967
Messages
67,563
Members
7,449
Latest member
Jagaba

Latest Threads

Back
Top