GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I have used Castrol GTX ( non- syn ) for most of the Vibes life. Should I swith to a "high mileage" oil ? Whats the difference between high mileage oil & regular dino oil anyway ?

I have 111,000 miles on mine and use Mobil 1. I don't think the high mileage oil is necessary.

Use Amsoil. Not only is it "The first in synthetics", if you happen to meet your demise while in a vehicle that uses Amsoil you go directly to heaven where you will receive 700 (not 70 but 700) virgins."

Hmmmm,Oil, a funny topic, so full of opinions, so full of controversy and can be quite volatile! Educate yourself.Are you leaking any oil?Your oil changes have been consistent?My feelings are that I don't believe in snake oil. Engine repair in a can is a snake oil. Extra additives to soften seals, higher detergents, etc. These oils have snake oil additives already installed in the oil manufacturers jug. Often they are a higher viscosity as wellDo you need thicker oils when all we read and learn tells us not to use thicker oils than recommended by the manufacturer? Thicker oil means less cold flow and thus more start up engine damage.If you've taken care of your engine, I'd continue to take care of your engine. IF an oil seal leaks or a gasket starts seeping, well, it's old, time to replace it!I've taken good care of my engine with synthetics since oil change #2. The wear on my engine should be minimal or nonexistent so I'll continue doing what I've done until the car dies or is no longer mine to care for.Dave

^X2 Castrol is a good oil and as log as you made regular changes 3K-5K miles then just keep on using it. As long as you don't beat on it that engine will go another 100K miles with no issues

I switched my neon to high mileage when I started having trouble burning oil and decided its not worth repairing the car, we don't plan on keeping it so really trying not to spend anything on it. Anyways it seems to last at least twice as long now before I need to top off. So I have continued using it for the last couple changes and will do so until its gone, hopefully within a year. But if you have no problems then I would not bother using any high mileage oil. I'm willing to bet that not only did the vibe start out with a more reliable motor but that it has probly been treated better that my old dodge too. Just keep changing iton time with the usual drink of choice.

Thanks guys !I have never gone over 5K between changes. Normally about 4K. Its not burning oil , no consumtion etc. The reason I asked is because ocassionally I will have the local oil change shop change my oil when I need a tire rotaion because its free with the oil change. The service manager offered a "high mileage" oil change. I turned it down of course. Seems like a ploy to charge you some extra bucks.Speaking of snake oils, I have a good freind who has been a service managet at Dodge for many years.....says that the Techron fuel additive ( bottle ) is a complete waste of money because techron is already added to the gas. It made sense to me so I saved my money.700 virgins? HMMMMMM

Quote, originally posted by cptnsolo77 »Thanks guys !Speaking of snake oils, I have a good freind who has been a service managet at Dodge for many years.....says that the Techron fuel additive ( bottle ) is a complete waste of money because techron is already added to the gas. It made sense to me so I saved my money.IF you purchase a quality name brand gasoline you are getting all the cleaners and detergents that your engine most likely will need. All major gasoline brands have this and they give it various names. Chevron actually calls theirs techron but I think that's their product isn't it??Bottles of fuel cleaners are simply the detergents found in a tank of quality gas. If you shop fuel at the cheapy no name outlets, you most likely don't get your detergents and cleaners major gas suppliers provide so an occasional can of cleaner may not hurt.I stopped purchasing cheap gas years ago after having major fuel system issues after a fill up. That truck never did run well again until the day I got rid of it! I almost always fill up with Shell and an occasional drink of Sunoco. Anything else is rare or my wife is putting gas in!!! (which IS rare indeed) Dave

Quote, originally posted by cptnsolo77 »Thanks guys !700 virgins? HMMMMMMThat is just part of my observation that Amsoil is not a motor oil - it is a religion. And no - I am not a member of their flock. I use whatever brand dino the dealer has. The dealer surcharge for synthetic is atrocious. Try to make sure it is 5w-20 but how would I know what they really put in there. Any if I paid for synthetic I would not know what they really out in there either. Never changed my own oil in the 50+ years I have owned a car and I am not about to start now.Now I have drank the Kool-Aid when it comes to gasoline. Try to mostly use Top Tier which around here is mostly Shell.

Just throwing out my experience with Amsoil,... I had a 99 corolla, same engine, less enhanced. I switched to ams at 160k... no one ever gave me any hint that it might not be wise to change it on a car that old with that many miles. (And maybe those were not factors) Prior to this I never lost any oil in the time I owned it, driving to work one afternoon within a week of the change it started chugging hard and I could feel something bogging down. Pulled off the road and checked the oil, nothing on the stick. Limped to the closest shop and found out I'd lost about half my oil. So much for my yearly changes...My opinion is it's probably not wise at this point in your car's life to switch to amsoil, but perhaps others here have further thoughts on that?

I guess I will stick to non syn GTX.

I think it will serve you and your engine very well! It's a great oil and I doubt you'll have any kind issues because of it.

In my old 98 MPV I was using Castrol GTX High Mileage as per mpvclub consensus but I can't find the same in this forum... what's your take on it?

A selection of quality oils is like what's your favorite soda Coke, Pepsi or RC (to name a few). The main thing to change them on a regular basis with a quality filter. Castrol is a good oil and one I would use along with Valvoline and Mobil 1. But I also like the all above mentioned sodas.

Funny I clicked on this thread not knowing i created it...LOL. So far124K on the clock with Castrol GTX. Alive & kicking. Thanks for the input guys !