Mixing Castrol EDGE fully synthetic with possible part synthetic oil?

[Ockie]

Hi guys. I do not know what oil is in my car at the moment. A good few months ago the petrol jockey at Sasol put in a pint I think they call it of the Sasol oil. (I am assuming that to be partly synthetic). In future should the car need oil I would rather buy a can of Castrol EDGE and I will put it in myself. Fully synthetic is better than the cheaper partly synthetic right? But I am worried the two are not compatible with each other, like how you cant mix some brands of coolant. Could this cause problems?

I have about 8 000km to go before the oil service is due, and when I do take it in I will ask that the mechanic change it to Castrol EDGE ONLY. Not partly synthetic.

 

[P924]

The problem with mixing oil is mostly the additives, not the oil itself. Additives for synthetic oil is quite different than for non synth, and synth oil last as long as the additives. What car is it and how long do you expect before the next oil change (time).

Ps. Edge is not fully synthetic by the German definition last I checked...

 

[killerbyte]

What oil you use comes down to what car you drive. Oil is not oil is not oil, if you get my meaning.

For example, Alfa Romeo demands a certain spec of oil in their cars, Fiat needs another spec and Renault would use a different spec. All have varying additives and weights. So check out your manual and find the oil that matches your cars requirements.

 

[Ockie]

What oil you use comes down to what car you drive. Oil is not oil is not oil, if you get my meaning.

For example, Alfa Romeo demands a certain spec of oil in their cars, Fiat needs another spec and Renault would use a different spec. All have varying additives and weights. So check out your manual and find the oil that matches your cars requirements.

On the engine it says Castrol. Does not however specify synthetic or part synthetic. I would assume fully synthetic would be the recommended.

Hopefully wont have to put in oil again before the oil change and then I will have him make sure only Castrol EDGE is put in. I have been checking the oil regularly and it does seem to be stable, hot and cold engine. And yes, I do know how to take out the dipstick thingy majiggy and read the level.

 

[Ockie]

The problem with mixing oil is mostly the additives, not the oil itself. Additives for synthetic oil is quite different than for non synth, and synth oil last as long as the additives. What car is it and how long do you expect before the next oil change (time).

Ps. Edge is not fully synthetic by the German definition last I checked...

Next oil service according to the computer when I start the car is in about 8000km

 

[P924]

Next oil service according to the computer when I start the car is in about 8000km

How long in months?

 

[Ockie]

How long in months?

Erm, dunno. It does not say that. Let me work it out by the average km's I do per month.

mmmmmmmm

1+1 = 2 / 3 squared + 80 times the days in a week. ermmmmmmmm


about 8 months

 

[AstroTurf]

Why not just drain the sump then put in whatever you want in there.
What viscosity?

 

[Sinbad]

Why not just drain the sump then put in whatever you want in there.
What viscosity?

Change the filter at the same time. Possibly even flush as well to get rid of all traces of the old oil

 

[Ockie]

Why not just drain the sump then put in whatever you want in there.
What viscosity?

This is not the kind of oil change I do. You know that.

Viscosity? What now? Is that that 5w45 code on the bottles?

 

[P924]

What car is it?

Actually, I see you don't know what oil is currently in it. Usually, unless serviced by the manufacturer's franchise, I suggest changing the oil anyway so that you know what is in it. Many second hand dealers will change the oil with the cheapest they can find just so they can tell you it has been serviced recently.

But it is important that you use an oil that meets the manufacturers specifications (as killerbyte stated). Edge does meet many manufacturer specs, but it does not guarantee it meets the spec for your car.

 

[Ockie]

What car is it?

Actually, I see you don't know what oil is currently in it. Usually, unless serviced by the manufacturer's franchise, I suggest changing the oil anyway so that you know what is in it. Many second hand dealers will change the oil with the cheapest they can find just so they can tell you it has been serviced recently.

But it is important that you use an oil that meets the manufacturers specifications (as killerbyte stated). Edge does meet many manufacturer specs, but it does not guarantee it meets the spec for your car.

Oh for gods sakes. Why cant they just make these things standard. One coolant, one oil to to rule them all!!!!

So what will happen if I do the oil service before the 8000km is reached on the computer? Does it just get reset?

 

[SauRoNZA]

On the engine it says Castrol. Does not however specify synthetic or part synthetic. I would assume fully synthetic would be the recommended.

Hopefully wont have to put in oil again before the oil change and then I will have him make sure only Castrol EDGE is put in. I have been checking the oil regularly and it does seem to be stable, hot and cold engine. And yes, I do know how to take out the dipstick thingy majiggy and read the level.

The need for fully synthetic oil is directly linked to the service intervals on modern cars.

Semi-synth or even pure mineral oil is just as good (at the same grading) as the equivalent fully synthetic oil the only difference being what it looks like in 5000, 10000 or 15000km.

By that logic as long as you are putting the same viscosity/grading in as the manual recommends you should be safe to mix as you very rarely get pure mineral oil any more specifically to avoid a mixing problem.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Oh for gods sakes. Why cant they just make these things standard. One coolant, one oil to to rule them all!!!!

So what will happen if I do the oil service before the 8000km is reached on the computer? Does it just get reset?

It is standardized to the point that each manufacturer as "compatibility codes" on the back of the manual and don't refer to actual viscosity etc any more.

So see what that code is in your manual or on your car and then check for the same code in the fine print on the back of the Edge bottle.

No the service indicator won't reset itself. This is why people pay big money so the dealerships do it and don't screw they record up.

 

[Ockie]

No the service indicator won't reset itself. This is why people pay big money so the dealerships do it and don't screw they record up.

The mechanic I use does have a computer to connect to the car's systems. So it should be fine?

 

[P924]

Oh for gods sakes. Why cant they just make these things standard. One coolant, one oil to to rule them all!!!!

So what will happen if I do the oil service before the 8000km is reached on the computer? Does it just get reset?

Some cars have a minimum distance that needs to be passed before you can reset the service indicator, but you should be passed that. No problems with an early oil change, many people do an oil change in between services.

 

[Ockie]

Some cars have a minimum distance that needs to be passed before you can reset the service indicator, but you should be passed that. No problems with an early oil change, many people do an oil change in between services.

Cool. Thanks guys. You have been very helpful

 

[psion]

Mixing oils can cause sludge buildup in your engine, always stick to the same oil when topping up. Only change to another oil when old oil has been drained.

If your really wanted you could change the oil every week. I wouldn't recommend this on your wallet tho.

 

[Fox1]

Always found Castrol to be an inferior oil to Shell. Sludge, burning off too easily, and vaporizing around seals.

 

[Kosmik]

Hmmm, my mechanic at my last service told me my "new" car should only have synthetic oil used. It is an automatic, is this the norm for auto's? Car is a 2008 Toyota Avensis 2.0l