Walmart Dino Oil All but Gone - Alternatives Cost $30 for 5 Quarts???

Can't find much other than synthetic oil to replace the Valvoline 5-30W oil in Walmart. Used to cost around $17 for a 5-gallon jug. Price at OR and AutoZone is a lot higher than that. Haven't checked Walmart's price for the synthetic oil yet. Being Old School I'm aware that there used to be problems going from dino oil to synthetic in engines with over 100,000 miles on them and I don't want to change oil types in my Tacoma unless I have to, so...

What problems or differences can I expect to see if I switch to synthetic motor oil? Truck has 100,000 miles on it. Other than that is.

 

You won't have any oil related problems by switching brands or traditional/ synthetic. Change whatever you dump in there regularly and you're good to go.

 

Find a Napa, the one I deliver for always has Napa 5w-30 Dino for less than $4qt X 5=$20.

 

How about the in house Supertech brand?

" The oil is produced by Warren Oil Company, Inc. (Same makers of Penzoil) which is one of America’s largest independent lubricant manufacturer. You can easily spot WPP written at the bottom of the Supertech Oil container.

Supertech Motor Oil complies to all the standards and requirements set by the government ensuring that it is of the highest quality.

Moreover, since Supertech Motor Oil is a licensed dexos 1 brand, your vehicle warranty will not void if you use the brand. Check the specifications for your car model to make sure that the engine oil got the requirements that you need."

 

I stopped reading about synthetic oil stopped around 35 years ago. At that time the thought was that switching from dino oil to synthetic in "higher mileage" engines tended to cause oil leaks around the front and rear crank seals and around the oil pan gasket. Supposedly that was because the more slippery synthetic oil could soften the already somewhat hardened pan gasket material and then work its way through it while dino oil would not. I don't know how much of that was bullshit though.

So what's the TacomaWorld consensus - will changing from dino to synthetic oil on a 100,000-mile engine cause any leaks?

I appreciate any and all feedback you might have!

 

Wal-Mart consistently has the best prices on 5qt jugs of oil. Auto stores are more expensive and alot of them have gallon jugs which is less than 5 qts.

I'd be hesitant to switch. If you develop a leak due to synthetic oils superior detergents and ability to remove sludge you may not be able to stop the leak even after switching. However, if you have an extremely clean motor you're probably okay.
A nice medium may be to try a synthetic blend and see how it does.

People will never stop arguing about whether or not switching will cause oil leaks. Ultimately it's up to you and if the benefits outweigh a POTENTIAL leak and the labor involved to remedy it.

I personally prefer Pennzoil with the Pennzoil Ultra synthetic being what I use in most of my cars and all of my small lawn equipment. However, Super Tech Synthetic is great for the price.

Good luck!

 

Pretty sure OP is talking about SuperTech. My store carries less lubes period.

 

Penzoil and Shell 5W-30 non-synth both sold at Home Depot for less than $17/5qt.

https://www.homedepot.com/s/motor%20oil?NCNI-5

 

They have a deal at oriellys right now for oil regular and synthetic free oil filter

I think regular is 22$ with a filter included

and I got synthetic today for 34$ with a wix xp filter but it’s 30$ with a normal wix filter

 

I use dino high milage Supertech in Hank with no I'll effects.

I burn maybe a 1/2 quart between changes.

I've been hesitant to syn switch due to horror stories from friends with similar aged vehicles. They seem to go through more oil since switching.

And the price difference......

 

I personally wouldn’t choose to put Walmart oil in my truck, and you also pay more for more miles on synthetic.

 

SuperTech oil by Warren is fine. Same as the Amazon oil by Warren that people are raving about


I don't remember the brand but I used to buy 12 quart cases of conventional by Warren (had a medallion artwork) for $24 at Sam's club and it was always fine.

 

Hard to go wrong with this stuff

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Havoline-SMART-CHANGE-ProDS-5W-30-Full-Synthetic-Motor-Oil-6-qt/537902742

 

$22 for 12 quarts

https://www.samsclub.com/p/prime-5w30-12-1-qt/prod22060368?xid=plp_product_1_2

 

$33 for 15 quarts

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Te...ZuXB6nZOqu67dA63DftKcGIv8eBrZVkRoC-M0QAvD_BwE

 

Last year, I acquired a 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 5.3L V8 LM7 engine. It had 210,000 miles on the ODO. It was my uncle's truck and he always used cheapest dino oil available or the basic Jiffy Lube oil change package. He retired in the Philippines and I bought the truck from him as my new ranch daily.

My first oil change after purchasing the truck as Mobil 1 Full Synthetic. Changed it in 5000 miles. I now used Castrol GTX extended performance full synthetic every 7500 miles now and have had no issues whatsoever.

I confirmed engine health through Blackstone oil analysis.

 

I bought 2 Chevy Aveos (Daewoo engines ) in 2004......ran them in summer on cheap conventional oil & Walmart filters and in winter usually switched over to Walmart synthetic & Walmart filters....both got retired with around 190,000 after 12-13 years of hard city commuting and both ran like new and used no oil.
Unless you are subjecting your engine to extreme operating conditions you only need oil that meets manufacturer specifications.

 

My experience from owning/operation a chain of auto parts stores for many years and dealings with customers, many different oil manufacturers/distributors and most important mechanics and engine builders is that it's not a good idea to change from traditional to synthetic motor oils or even change weights of oil in your vehicle.

 

You certainly must have a wealth of experience with oil but I’m curious about one thing.....Not changing oil weight.
Manufacturers for years recommended changing weights as the seasons/temperatures changed. I know with modern oils it’s not necessary, but not being necessary is certainly different than being bad for an engine ???

P.S. is the fuel pump original in your 24 year old 414,000 mile Tacoma ??? Thanks.

 

Yes, I remember the days of changing engine oil viscosities from winter to summer. While changing oil weights in newer engines most likely has little if any negative impact doing so in high mileage engines can contribute to oil consumption. My 414,000 mile engine only consumes approx a 1/4 qt of oil in a 5,000 mile oil change cycle always using 10w-30 Pennzoil. Based on my experience over the years I will never change oil viscosity nor change to synthetic oil. I do of course use synthetic in my '18 TRD Sport.

Yes, I did change my fuel pump at approx 240,000 miles when my '96 started to periodically having difficulty starting in hot weather. Infrequently when running errands I had to wait until it cooled down before it would start. Replacing the fuel pump resolved this.