Hi all,

I'm driving a 1999 Grand Prix GT Coupe with 44,000 and am going to start doing my own oil changes. With all of the different oils and oil filters out there, I'm asking what's been working for you guys as GP owners.

Thanks,
Matt

Since I bought my GP, I've been using Mobil 1 Synthetic 10W-30 and a Mobil 1 filter. The synthetic is a little more expensive, but I'll take the hit for the extra protection. I would definetly suggest Mobil products even if you don't go the synthetic route.

Thanks, I've heard that combo a lot. If I didn't choose synthetic, what type of oil and filter would be good? I see that Purolator Pure One's and AC Delco seem to be used a lot along with Castrol GTX and Mobil (not Mobil 1).

Matt

Regarding the oil filter, the AC Delco got high praise for construction, AND has more filtration area than many other similar sized filters. If you want longer filter life and less by-pass while the oil is cold and has trouble passing through the filter, don't use the "recommended" oil filter size, use a substitute with a longer can. AC PF-52 comes to mind. Compared to the "standard (shorter)" length Fram, the AC PF-52 has twice the filter area. Fram also has a longer can filter, but it has less filtration area than the AC.

Regarding oil, you can't go wrong using Mobile 1 synthetic, but you're probably wasting your money. After all, all oil has to do is keep moving parts from rubbing together. The grade of the oil (5-30, 10-30, 30Wt, 20-50, etc) is more important that is the brand (assuming you stick with the name brands). In Sandy Eggo, I run 10-30 from Nov thru Apr, and straight 30wt from May thru Oct. If I lived in a place that was colder, I'd stick with the 10-30 in the winter, but I'd use 15w-40 in the summer (itsa a tough multi-grade). If I lived where it was regularly 100F+ every day (and cooling down to 70F at night), I'd run a straight 40wt (gooooooooooood stuff).

Regards, Gary in Sandy Eggo

Thank you for your advice. I'll be checking into the AC Delco filter next time around.

Matt

I'd recommend the stock filter. Put some faith in what the GM guys recommend - if it was bad for your engine, they wouldn't recommend it, I'm sure!

The stock filter being AC Delco? If so long or regular?

Thanks

Yes the AC Delco filter is the stock filter - the owners manual should give you the number. I can't remember what it is right now.

You can go with the longer one, that would give you more surface area to filter the oil, but it probably isn't necessary.

If you get AC Delco, try to get the UltraGaurdGold variety. Its the one in the black box. The blue box is the DuraGaurd gold. From a report I read earlier, the UltraGaurdGold is the same filter as the Mobile-1. Just a few bucks cheaper.

As for the part numbers, the standard length is UPF-47, the longer filter is UPF-52.

For oil, I've actually been doing a 50/50 mix of Castrol GTX 10w30 and Mobile-1 Synthetic. A long time ago, someone said this is better than using Dura-Blend. I guess you can call me a cheap skate, but I had to pay for those HID upgrades somehow.

There's really no reason to get anything other than the ACDelco PF-47. Anything else is a waste of money. Other than the peace of mind issue. But you're not hurting your engine by using the recommended oil filter.

Good thing they are the same price :p

Time to ressurect this thread.

I'm due for my first oil change, I was looking forward to putting Mobil 1 synthetic in it.

I live in an apartment so I can't change my oil by myself. I called a local oil change place and they wanted $69.99 for an oil change with Mobil 1. Is the oil THAT expensive? I was speechless when he told me it was that much.

I have been running amsoil oil for 2 oil changes. Each time after 6k the oil still comes out looking a very light beige. I would definetely look into amsoil.

www.amsoil.com

Oil has much more to do than keep stuff from rubbing around. It has to keep the engine clean, lubricate, cool, withstand extremly high pressures, form a film, keep dirt in suspension and neutralize acids. The oil itself does not wear out, the additive package does. Anyway I use mobil 1 and k&n filters. Ac Delco filters are just average, Fram is n.f.g(except racing filters), Bosch are pretty good, Mobil one are between bosch and k&n. I use Mobil 1 oil and k&n filters myself. That does make for an expensive oil change though. The really good oils are royal purple, mobil 1, and amsoil. Any part synthetic blend should do just nicely however,Castrol etc. Just remember as with all car parts you gets what you pay for. Oil that says "motor oil" on the label-caveat emptor.

Mobil 1 might be $8 a quart, but I could care less. I change my synthetic every 5,000 miles so the cost is differed a little from a regular oil change every 3,000 miles. I'll take the hit for the protection.

-Andrew