is Castrol gtx conventional oil a good choice for 99 es300?

 

Engine is sludge prone best to use a synthetic like Mobil-1 or Pennzoil.

 

 

To add, Mobil usually offers semi annual rebate promotions. Here's the link to the current one which expires 10/31.
https://mobiloil.com/en/promotion/mo...tor-oil-coupon

 

Looking at the retailers that support this deal, Walmart or even Costco aren't even on there. Neither are some auto parts stores.

 

I can't confirm the other non listed retailers but Walmart is approved. I called when I noticed in previous promotions they were conspicuously missing. Not sure why they continue to omit their name.

 

Thanks for linking that, it was the rebate I meant. Walmart purchases are honored, though not listed. They run the rebate every april/may and Sept/Oct. I buy two 5qt jugs at each one and that takes care of our cars for the year. Great deal. I have seen numerous oil analyses of this oil in these exact engines and the oil is good and no wear showing out at 7,500miles and further. I use it to 7,500 - you could go longer most likely, but that's a nice safe point to cut it off in these engines. This is for the 10w-30, which is I think a better weight for these engines for multiple reasons, except in regular extreme cold.

On a related note, Fram Xg3614 filters are amazing filters and Fram recommends them out to 20k or 25k miles of use. I have read much about them at BITOG and even cut one open myself to inspect after I ran it ~16k miles. I run two oil change intervals (15k) before replacing it. The small amount of used oil still in the filter is not a bad thing (and some say leaving it is actually a good thing - some real science there) so I don't bother removing it at the change.

 

 

With the Fram, the oversized one is the XG3600. The Fram Ultra are in the general category of quality as the K&N, but with some finer filtration specs and a few dollars cheaper. Good filters, both.

What particularly impressed me with the Fram in my long-service experiment was that the ADBV never failed and the filter never leaked-down overnight and gave dry starts in the morning - or at least that I ever detected. I would get that after a short while with the Motorcraft filters I was using before that (and they are pretty well regarded filters, made by Purolator). The K&N should also perform well at that from what I hear - I have no personal experience with them. This engine is hard on filters because of the stupid location under the exhaust header and horizontal mounting.

 

Is 10w-30 better than 5w-30 for the es330?

 

I got the K&N in part because it was readily available and had a nut on the top for easy removal. I ended up not needing it, because I remove the filter by hand from the top of the car reaching down in there. I used to not have a high opinion of FRAM, but they have improved over the years with their technology enough that I now recommend them.

The oversized filter fits in there without issue, so glad I figured this one out.

 

For me, depends on your environment and the age of your vehicle. If you live in a hotter environment and have a vehicle above 100K, I would consider the 10W30.

 

I'm in Texas so it's hot as hell and I have 135k miles.

 

The only exception I have with that rule is if I find an oil with a superior additive package or performance. I rave about Castrol 0W30, which was known for years as German Castrol because it was made there but now is made in Belgium and had great oil analyses and a superior additive package. However, I would use a 10W30 as I live in Florida and have 175K on the clock.

This thread from Bob is the Oil Guy talks a bit more about the German Castrol, https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forum...rol#Post718643

 

You can't argue with that; a good point.

I like the M1 10w-30 HM because the base oils is very robust, and there are very little, if any, viscosity index imp rovers in it compared to a 5w or 0w base oil. The HTHS value is 3.5 (as high a film strength as you can have in a 30 before it's into 40 range). But in truth he add-pack is "OK" in that oil and not truly exceptional. I actually supplement mine with one ounce/qt of oil with Lubegard Biotech. I can tell a difference.