djlod

I was at a local independent auto repair shop today inquiring about services.
I saw one of the service techs performing an oil change on a 997.
He was using Eneos (nippon) oil.
He used a few quarts of 0W-50 oil and then added a few quarts of 5W-40 oil (I believe he ran out of the 0W-50).
I thought that was odd, but the tech said "it's not a big deal, oil is oil."
Can using two different types of oil be bad for the engine?
Needless to say, I will not be taking my car to this shop.

alexb76

As far as I know, it's not too big a deal, BUT, definitly not ideal! For instance, if you used 0W40, and had to top-up at some point and didn't have the same oil, 5W40 would do fine.

He definitely just short changed the customer and had to come with an excuse.

Macster

I hope you learned enough to know you do not want to rely upon this shop for your Porsche servicing! Do you really want to everytime you pick up your car after having it serviced at this place have to spend any time wondering what oil was used this time? Part of the idea of having a car serviced is to gain peace of mind that you are doing what you can to ensure the car's long and heathly life.

Actually oil is not oil. Porsche very clearly states what oils and what specific viscosities of oil are acceptable.

If a shop believes oil is oil it may at some point -- to improve its bottom line -- start substituting unapproved oil for the more expensive and approved oil.

In fact I can almost guarantee it cause its work will ultimately prove to be of low quality and business will drop off and on its way to the bottom will by cutting corners and no doubt hiring more techs like the tech you spoke with as the good ones read the writing on the wall and leave for better prospects end up taking many loyal customers' cars with it.

A nice 997 deserves better. Heck any car worth servicing at all deserves better.

Sincerely,

Macster.

LlBr

Exactly. This I would have shot right back at the dbag guy (sorry).

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abe

No big deal guys!!! However, using two different brands of non synthetics may cause problems...I have heard that imcompatability may cause "clumps" not sure if its true.
abe

djlod

Thanks for the replies.
I'm thankful I have a friend that works at McKenna, so I can have peace of mind that my car will be taken car of properly.

Macster

It is not necessarily that two different oils used -- I assume the other brand of oil approved by Porsche -- but that shop ran out of the proper oil, that the tech dismissed the question about the oil with "oil is oil".

This is not how I want a tech working on my Porsches to talk. First I want the proper oil in stock. Next I want the proper oil used. Lastly I want the oil changed by someone who has the integrity to do a proper job of an oil change or any service.

Sincerely,

Macster.

abe

Macster,
My point is that the two different grades is this case is no big deal. However, you should not mix Mobil 1
with Castrol even if they are both synthetic...even if for arguments sake they were both approved by a car manufacturer.
So they ran out of 0-50 and they added 5-40...yeah crusify them. Some people will even argue that using 5- may be better than 0- since it may keep a slight film on the piston keeping them lubricated when starting up.
This is much to do about nothing. NOT A BIG DEAL.
abe

mambodoc

I believe the "big deal" here is the attitude of the mechanic regardless of oil types being ok or not. Integrity or the lack of it, is the issue. My mechanic is as precise about my 997 as he is about his own. I expect the same from everyone no mater what their profession. Accepting sub-standard performance by anyone and not taking them to task for it is todays problem of "dumbing down" America. Phew!...that said...I change oil and filter every 5K with 0-40 Mobil1, and top off between changes with 15-50 Mobil1 due to a good price and gallon container convenience....but I'm the one making the choice. Thanks all.

kosmo

Maybe the shop was looking for its own special blend of 2.5w-45 !

KBS911

No. you shouldn't use different oil. Run, don't walk away from that shop. It is indicative of a much deeper malaise.

jakes dad

fresh water--------salt water
Lemon acid--------battery acid
No problem it's all the same....etc...

next he'll be mixing brake fluid....

utkinpol

for winter you can use 5w50 pure without mixing. I asked many people and no one sees an issue with using 5w50 directly instead 0w oil. when you pour 5w50 you`ll see it is almost same watery liquid as 0w oil.

for summer I mix 6qt 15w50 with 2qt 5w50, some people run on pure 15w50, some mix 4qt 15w50 to 4qt 5w50. it al depends of how you use your car - if you track it or run it very hard getting hot and close to redline - it will benefit from higher viscosity of 15w50 oil. for a street only car that sees 7k rpm may be twice a month and stays below 220 degrees oil temp all the time pure 5w50 oil will be more optimal than 15w50 pure or mix.

generally for temperatures above 60 degrees 15w50 oil is liquid enough, with lower winter temperatures it may/will be too thick to get into hydraulic valve lifters IMHO.

It is all mobil 1 oil, of course. as of mixing different brands of oils - may be mechanics know better but I do not think it is a good idea.

djlod

Thanks for all the replies.
I usually get my oil changed every year / 10K.
Should I have it replaced at 5K?

No HTwo O

IMHO, 10K is too late and 5K is too early. 7,500 works for me yearly. Doing a $23 used oil alanysis will also help you in answering your question and validate your approach.