Arrwin

Hi guys,

Yesterday, I had an oil-change performed by a reputable independent shop. Instead of putting in Mobil 1 15W-50, which the PO has always used, the shop put in Quaker State 5W-50 Synthetic and insisted that the brand/grade really doesn't matter too much. When I was shopping around for shops before deciding on this one, most, if not all use Mobil 1. Assuming that this was the norm, I didn't ask this shop.

My questions are...

1) Does the brand and grade really matter?
2) Should I get another oil change it have them put in Mobil 1 instead or would it be OK leaving it the way it is and having them use Mobil 1 on the next oil change?

As always thanks!

jdoc7

Arrwin,

You should be fine with the Quaker State. However, at your next oil change, I would request that the shop put in Mobil-1 15-50 if that's what you are comfortable with. As a lesson, never assume with any shop. I always ask questions before any work is done. My shop also doesn't mind if I bring in my own parts, fluids, etc so I know exactly what's going on/in.

mooty

i think temporarily using that quaker state should be fine. but with EVERY respectable porsche shop i talked to , they run mobil 1 15/50 in 993's

Arrwin

Thanks guys....I guess I won't be a repeat customer there. Any ViperBob/Steve Weiner equivalents in the NY area??

Monique

FWIW, I use Shell Helix Ultra 5-40. This is the oil used by Porsche Germany and my last change was done at Michael Manthey Racing.. they are one of the best independent.

Happy with the Shell stuff although it is at least 2 X as expensive as Mobil 1. Pay Euro 21 per liter.

Will buy lots of Mobil 1 5-40W when next in the US.

IanUK

I have used Valvoline SynPower 5W-40 which is the one my local independant uses for the cars they look after and have also used Esso Ultron 5W-40 which is used by one of the official Porsche UK centers when they service 993s. They are both fully synthetic and have specifications as good as Mobil 1.

I have been happy with both.

maurice97C2S

Folks, the factory position on this is quite clear. They test a lot of oils and their current official list for ALL models 1973-1998 does not include any 15-50 oils. All cold viscosities are 0 or 5 (except for one 10!, a Mobil semi syn), all hot are 40 or 50, only 4 semi syn in the whole list ....

The Havoline 5-40, the Quaker State Syn 5-40, Valvoline Synpower 5-40, Helix Ultra 5-40, and of course M1 0-40, 5-40, and 5-50 are all approved.

NOT my opinion ! (although I agree)

HTH, cheers, Maurice

993Maineiac

Maurice-you beat me to it!

Arrwin: Try Cheech at Rennwerk in Westchester County (I forget the town but it is in southern Westchester) they are the best and have a web site to look at.

Al

amfp

As I recall, Porsche recommends using Mobil 1 0W-40 or Castrol Syntec 5W-50. Of course for hot climates and track use, 15x50 is recommended. Lots of discussions / religion about oils in archieves.

I would not dumb Quaker State immediately, but would change sooner than normal. I would question how independant shop (make sure he changed two filters), and if you feel confident with independent, bring your own oil next time.

mooty

i know a few people who tried 0/40 in 993, and didn't like it much, i don't kow why? i used 15/50 in 993 per stever weiner, but 0/40 in 996's.

just got 60qt. the other day, 0/40 at good price is hard to come by

delanobe

What about Castrol RS 10W 60?

Toga

Hi Delanobe!

the Castrol is the one I use! Is it a Belgian special or may be our cars are maintained by the same specialist...

I was in Austria last year, and ran short of oil. So I went to the Porsche Dealer in Zell am See (Right in front of the "Porsche" estate). They gave me a type of oil I never saw before and never again since that time (sorry I even forgot the name). Don't you think the type of oil varies from one country to another just on commercial basis?

JP

Mark in Baltimore

Hmmm. My US manual says that full synthetic 15W-50 oils are approved for ambient temps 50 degree Fahrenheit/10 Celsius or above. Even if I didn't hit the track, I drive my car with gusto and wouldn't feel comfortable with a lower weight oil, synthetic or not. Also, it's been said many times by some guy named Steve Weiner that if your car is in a hot climate or if you track your car, run a 15W-50.

Want more info? Click here. In this thread, Joel Reiser discusses Porsche Technical Bulletin 1701 that does not specifically address 15W-50 oils. But if you read Reiser's words, he states "I will still run 15W-50 in my GT3 Cup car with the hydraulic valve adjusters because it is still heavier duty service than a 0-40 would be best for. But on the newer street cars the 0-40 is probably better if your climate is not hellaciously hot and you don't overdrive the car." Newer cars mean 996/Boxsters, not 993's.

Arrwin,

Is the Quaker State a full synthetic or a blend? I use Mobil 1 in my 993 but also trust and have been very happy with Castrol Syntec and Valvoline full synthetic for my other, non-Porsche vehicles. If you're not driving the car hard or tracking it, in your cold climate I might consider a 5W-50.

delanobe

Hi Toga,

I just had serviced my car with a specialized Porsche dealer in Leuze (Auto Leuze).
This dealer should be the place to be for porsche cars.
The reason I asked about the castrol RS 10w 60 is because they switched from M1 to the Castrol.

Regards

Mark in Baltimore

Delanobe,

I think Castrol is good stuff, but I wonder what are the reasons that your specialized dealer (not sure if this means an independent shop or an authorized Porsche dealer) has switched from Mobil 1 to Castrol? My first thought is that they're trying to increase their profit margin, which should not be the primary factor for you to decide what brand of oil to run.