Here's a search for 12 packs of oil jugs [costco.com] if you'd rather get them.
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expiredHappyPixel posted Apr 9, 2025 10:45 AM
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The stuff sold at a price point (bargain basement) will meet API SP and dexos1 will have a treat rate of about 8.5% wt in the engine oil. Treat rate is the focus for products sold under a bid as the additive is sold by the ton, the less you use the cheaper the product. The more premium stuff will meet ACEA, MB 229, VW 501, etc. and have a treat rate of closer to 13%.
Now the clincher for me is that cheap additive package will pair with a cheap viscosity modifier (VM), the stuff that makes it a 0W-xx, usually some olefin copolymer (OCP). These are what I refer to as dirty polymers because they tend to leave more deposits as they break down (piston walls, skirts, rings, turbo bearings).
Those premium packages because they need to pass more stringent Euro specs will use a styrenic type polymer usually a star polymer which is a cleaner and more shear stable VM. This helps us keep the pistons cleaner = less scuffing, blow by, better power, better fuel economy, and these days more importantly a cleaner turbo as those are very hard on oil.
In the end the cheap stuff will not kill your engine, but much like living on ramen noodles and McDonalds it isn't going to make that engine stay at like new performance. I used to formulate this stuff before I retired so happy to answer questions.
Lower viscosity in the US is for CAFE reasons, not motor longevity.
page 8 and 9
https://engineoil.api.o
Warren Oil
https://www.warrenoil.c
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324 Comments
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Brought the gallon with an unknown amount used, inside and shined a flashlight down the opening and looked at the white strip. Sure enough, I could see the level.
Remembered that I was outside when I checked in the past and ran that test. Outside in sunlight with the flashlight pointing down the opening and you CAN'T see the level. So if your doing oil changes inside and shine the flashlight you can see the level. Out in sunlight and you can't.
I remember before purchasing in the past there were a few reviews that mentioned their white strip gauges not working. Wasn't a lot and figured I'd take a chance also figured it's no big deal if it doesn't work.
Sure enough I've had the same problem and did find it to be a pain to not know how much I had just put in and if it was too little or too much.
Buy it if you like, knowing that there's a chance the strip telling you how much you have left or just put in the car doesn't work outside and inside you have to shine a flashlight down the opening to see it. Definitely not as easy as pour in and look at the strip.
They still do a good job of manufacturing cars but they are also beginning to slide into the "rely on your brand" territory.
4runners, for example, are not worth their asking price. Tacomas aren't either. Both weak cars that are easily outclassed by peers.
Agreed. I still like Toyota but I would not buy a new model/drivetrain until after a few years to see the teething worked out.
That and hopefully pricing gets better, but not holding my breath.
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That and hopefully pricing gets better, but not holding my breath.
Brought the gallon with an unknown amount used, inside and shined a flashlight down the opening and looked at the white strip. Sure enough, I could see the level.
Remembered that I was outside when I checked in the past and ran that test. Outside in sunlight with the flashlight pointing down the opening and you CAN'T see the level. So if your doing oil changes inside and shine the flashlight you can see the level. Out in sunlight and you can't.
I remember before purchasing in the past there were a few reviews that mentioned their white strip gauges not working. Wasn't a lot and figured I'd take a chance also figured it's no big deal if it doesn't work.
Sure enough I've had the same problem and did find it to be a pain to not know how much I had just put in and if it was too little or too much.
Buy it if you like, knowing that there's a chance the strip telling you how much you have left or just put in the car doesn't work outside and inside you have to shine a flashlight down the opening to see it. Definitely not as easy as pour in and look at the strip.
Is the issue that the plastic bottle has a "white" strip rather than a "clear" strip? So you can't easily see the oil through the white plastic vs clear?
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Brought the gallon with an unknown amount used, inside and shined a flashlight down the opening and looked at the white strip. Sure enough, I could see the level.
Remembered that I was outside when I checked in the past and ran that test. Outside in sunlight with the flashlight pointing down the opening and you CAN'T see the level. So if your doing oil changes inside and shine the flashlight you can see the level. Out in sunlight and you can't.
I remember before purchasing in the past there were a few reviews that mentioned their white strip gauges not working. Wasn't a lot and figured I'd take a chance also figured it's no big deal if it doesn't work.
Sure enough I've had the same problem and did find it to be a pain to not know how much I had just put in and if it was too little or too much.
Buy it if you like, knowing that there's a chance the strip telling you how much you have left or just put in the car doesn't work outside and inside you have to shine a flashlight down the opening to see it. Definitely not as easy as pour in and look at the strip.
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