Engine Oil SAE Question

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   I just found my favored small engine oil, Valvoline VR1 SAE-40, for a ridiculously low price of $38.20/6-qt-case; that's Dollar Store oil price around here.
They also had the same oil in SAE-50 for $38.27.

SAE-30, while still plenty bargain, was $59.11, making it cheaper than any of the other SAE-30 oils and VR1 no doubt the best regardless of price.

Of course, I hit Buy Now on the SAE-40 and got it on the way.

Then my ever-puzzling mind got in gear.

Let's say the situation had been reversed a little bit.

Let's say the SAE-40 and SAE-30 prices had been reversed, with SAE-30 and SAE-50 being $38 for six and SAE-40 being $60 for six.

My mind says, in that situation, for me to end up with the SAE-40 at the $38 price, I would just order a case of SAE-30 and a case of SAE-50 and mix them half-and-half to achieve my desired weight of SAE-40.

Same oil with same additives, SAE-30 mixed with SAE-50 should end up with the equivalent of SAE-40 ----- RIGHT ?

Actually, by getting a case of SAE-30 and SAE-50 and mixing them to achieve SAE-40; I would also have the option of SAE-30 or SAE-50 should either be required, with the added benefit of mixing them to achieve SAE-40.

RIGHT ?

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BuckSkin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 12 Sep 2019 Location: Poor Farm Points: 409	Post Options Post Reply Quote BuckSkin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Engine Oil SAE Question Posted: 07 May 2024 at 12:10pm
	I just found my favored small engine oil, Valvoline VR1 SAE-40, for a ridiculously low price of $38.20/6-qt-case; that's Dollar Store oil price around here. They also had the same oil in SAE-50 for $38.27. SAE-30, while still plenty bargain, was $59.11, making it cheaper than any of the other SAE-30 oils and VR1 no doubt the best regardless of price. Of course, I hit Buy Now on the SAE-40 and got it on the way. Then my ever-puzzling mind got in gear. Let's say the situation had been reversed a little bit. Let's say the SAE-40 and SAE-30 prices had been reversed, with SAE-30 and SAE-50 being $38 for six and SAE-40 being $60 for six. My mind says, in that situation, for me to end up with the SAE-40 at the $38 price, I would just order a case of SAE-30 and a case of SAE-50 and mix them half-and-half to achieve my desired weight of SAE-40. Same oil with same additives, SAE-30 mixed with SAE-50 should end up with the equivalent of SAE-40 ----- RIGHT ? Actually, by getting a case of SAE-30 and SAE-50 and mixing them to achieve SAE-40; I would also have the option of SAE-30 or SAE-50 should either be required, with the added benefit of mixing them to achieve SAE-40. RIGHT ?

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steve(ill) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: illinois Points: 81124	Post Options Post Reply Quote steve(ill) Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 2024 at 5:40pm
	As long as all the oils are made by the same company and in the same CATAGORY (VR1) then i would assume they have very similar "addatives"... So i would agree with your theory that mixing 30wt and 50 wt would give you 40 wt oil... I question why you use a straight weight oil in any engine.. and why such an expensive oil for what you call "small" engines ?
	Like them all, but love the "B"s.

Coke-in-MN Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Afton MN Points: 41572	Post Options Post Reply Quote Coke-in-MN Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 2024 at 7:31pm
	I have been using multi weight oils in just about everything , been getting CITGO oils and have couple cases of 20/50 - racing oil I use in all my motorcycles , 10/30 in lawn and garden , and in truck 10/30 now . In tractors I have been using Fleet Farm - Farm Rated - Diesel Oil Most of the FF oils are packed by CITGO
	Faith isn't a jump in the dark. It is a walk in the light. Faith is not guessing; it is knowing something. "Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."

Lars(wi) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Location: Permian Basin Points: 7207	Post Options Post Reply Quote Lars(wi) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 2024 at 10:36pm
	All my air cooled engines get 30wt oil, ‘for gasoline engines’. The lawn mower, roto-tiller, and the onboard generator of the motor home all get 30wt.
	I tried to follow the science, but it was not there. I then followed the money, and that’s where I found the science.

Codger Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 23 Dec 2020 Location: Illinois Points: 2059	Post Options Post Reply Quote Codger Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 2024 at 11:01pm
	I typically run 10W-30 oil in the car and pickup which are gasoline powered. SAE 30, or SAE 40 in the two stroke Detroit engines, and 15W-40 in the four stroke diesels. Engine is original in my 1957 B-61 Mack and for years I ran SAE 20 in the winter, and SAE 30 in the warmer months changing the first week of October, and April each year. This was staying on the original owner's scheduled maintenance routines as it worked and I don't change what works very often. Engine has never been apart except a water pump, rocker cover gaskets, and oil sump screen gasket since new.
	A career built on repairing and improving engineering design deficiencies, shortcomings, and failures over 50 years now.