Synthetic oil and oil testing
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 238
Likes: 108
From: US
Synthetic oil and oil testing
1999, 996. Early build.
I live 90 minutes from the closest Porsche specialist shop in Madison, and 2.5 hours from the next closest that I've used before in Lake Barrington, IL. And the one in Madison has stopped working routine maintenance clients.
There is a mid-sized city close by, with a reputable all makes shop who I trusted to do my brakes last year, and who could be trusted to do my oil change. I know I had synthetic oil last time, but I don't know what brand or weight it was. What would people here recommend? They likely won't stock this, so it will need to be ordered.
I would also like to have a sample of my current oil tested. How much should I collect, and who do people recommend I send a sample to for basic analysis?
I live 90 minutes from the closest Porsche specialist shop in Madison, and 2.5 hours from the next closest that I've used before in Lake Barrington, IL. And the one in Madison has stopped working routine maintenance clients.
There is a mid-sized city close by, with a reputable all makes shop who I trusted to do my brakes last year, and who could be trusted to do my oil change. I know I had synthetic oil last time, but I don't know what brand or weight it was. What would people here recommend? They likely won't stock this, so it will need to be ordered.
I would also like to have a sample of my current oil tested. How much should I collect, and who do people recommend I send a sample to for basic analysis?
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 644
From: Connecticut
Oh, boy, you are opening a can of worms here asking for advice on oil! I both mix my own and use LN Engineering DT40: Driven DT40 Full Synthetic 5W40 Oil for European Sports Cars
You can also find a discussion on oil here: What motor oil is best for my Porsche, classic car, or high performance engine? - LN Engineering
And you can find out about testing your oil in the same page.
Before you show up with a case of oil at the shop, ask them in advance if they mind if you either provide or specify the oil. If they ask why, you can point them to the issues raised in this: What motor oil is best for my Porsche, classic car, or high performance engine? - LN Engineering
My indy is fine with me providing all the parts for service but only because they trust my judgment. I also allows me to use the lifetime guarantee at FCP and Pelican.
You can also find a discussion on oil here: What motor oil is best for my Porsche, classic car, or high performance engine? - LN Engineering
And you can find out about testing your oil in the same page.
Before you show up with a case of oil at the shop, ask them in advance if they mind if you either provide or specify the oil. If they ask why, you can point them to the issues raised in this: What motor oil is best for my Porsche, classic car, or high performance engine? - LN Engineering
My indy is fine with me providing all the parts for service but only because they trust my judgment. I also allows me to use the lifetime guarantee at FCP and Pelican.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 448
Likes: 125
From: Clearwater, FL
I dont know your situation and I know it's often not worth the hassle but I would just add that it's super easy to do the oil change on 996's.
Just drive it up on a 2x6/2x8 board or two (screwed together), put some plastic/cardboard down for any drips or drops and it's a very quick change as everything is accessible from the rear bottom without removing any panels (even the rear skid plate if you have it has a hole for the oil plug).
Speaking only for myself, if I was more than 30-40 min away from a shop this is what I would recommend unless you're not able or just not wanting to mess it.
Just drive it up on a 2x6/2x8 board or two (screwed together), put some plastic/cardboard down for any drips or drops and it's a very quick change as everything is accessible from the rear bottom without removing any panels (even the rear skid plate if you have it has a hole for the oil plug).
Speaking only for myself, if I was more than 30-40 min away from a shop this is what I would recommend unless you're not able or just not wanting to mess it.
