Hello Fellow Forum members,

I posted this on Rennslist as well, so pardon me for those that look at both Forums..

Fellow Rennlisters -

I've been loving my C4S and have become a Porsche addict. It's my mistress, not sure my wife is all too pleased..

I was recently on Rennsport Forum and the tech their had this message to another new Porsche 996 owner:

Regarding your "new" 996,......

1) Use Total or Motul 5w-40 oil,..do NOT use the Mobil 1 0w-40 crap. Change it every 3K.

2) Use German OEM oil filters and open them up at every oil change to inspect their innards. Never overlook this one!

3) Consider proactively replacing the IMS bearing with the LN Engineering kit. This can save the $20K engine.

These three measures will help your experience be a good one.

Good initial info to newbie for sure. But my main question is about the oil. Agree with #1? wanted to get a tally and idea of best oil you all are using.

thanks!

 

I havnt read anything negative about Mobile 1 0W-40. Always good to check the innards of your oil filter, it's simple, takes like 30 seconds and could give you a warning IF anything with the IMSB comes up.

Good to see another bay area resident, hope to see you at some events =D

 

Thanks.

I just registered for PCA - GGR. I definitely plan to hit some events.

 

DT40 for oil and Mann filters if you are still using the cartridge type, which I suggest you get the LN Engineering Spin on Filter Adapter because you can use a much better filter and you get full filtration.
DT40 was developed by Flat6 Innovations, LN Engineering, and Joe Gibbs Racing specifically for the Porsche engine.


Total or Motul 5w-40both good oils, M1 is fine but there are better. You can go every 3-5k on the mileage because of the amount of oil these cars carry. I go every 4k or 3 months which ever comes first which is usually 3 months.

 

Mobil 1 is used a LOT more than all the other oils combined - without any issue. You can use whatever you want but nothing has more miles tested than Mobil 1. There may be others that are just as good, but I'm not using my cars as test pigs.

 

This is what I use LIQUI-MOLY Voll-Synthese Synthetic 0W40 and MAHLE-KNECHT- Oil Filter. and I never had any issues in both of my cars. I guess is just a personal choice.

 

Hey guys

here in germany the folks prefer the 10W 60 oil from Castrol.
If you live in warmer areas for sure the 10W 60 is the best you can run for your 996. Improved oil pressure...5bar when driving....

Greetz

 

I've been using Mobil 1 since I've had my car. If I recall there is a factory sticker under my rear deck lid that recommends it. As far as IMS your chances of failure as very very low. I've heard people having failures on the 3.4 but not many if at all on the 3.6 motor. I've met and talked with a lot of owners and many are still running the factory IMS including me at 109,000 miles. Enjoy your car and welcome.

 

On the boxster forum there is a member who tests oil for a living . he said that Mobil 1 has been cheapened and has less of what the M96 motor needs . he recommends castrol syntec 5/40 or a product with similar ratings as having better additives for the M96 motor . mobil 1 is not the best oil for your car ! I change my oil about every 3,500 miles , it's cheap insurance and I know my motor is clean .

 

The manual says 3.5 bar at 5K RPM is normal, so if that's how the car is set up, how is 5 bar all the time better?

 

Just did my first change a couple of weeks ago. Used 5 quarts of Mobil 1 0-40 and 5 of 10-40.

 

I ran that 10-60 Castrol BMW oil for a while. It's expensive compared to many of the other oils discussed around here. That guy is right about the 5 bar OP and in the end that worried me a little. From my research these engines need good flow as well as pressure and having the needle pegged at the 5 bar much of the time doesn't mean you're getting oil flow to everywhere it should go.

My motor started making more noise with M1 15-50 and even more so with Castrol 10-60 after cold start ups and this is in a 70 degree garage in Calif. I'm now using JG DT40 05-40 and while I'll still get a noisy lifter at times upon cold start up it seems to go away much quicker. Blackstone OAs are coming back fine with more zinc then either the M1 or Castrol afforded.

I've read that the heavier oils help a motor that's using a lot of oil use less (supposedly that's why BMW asked Castrol to develop it, to keep the car from using it's oil up between their 15K changes included with the new cars) but my motor isn't really using much if any so I see no benefit there.

Nothing scientific but I agree with you that a higher viscosity oil isn't automatically better.

 

Do any of you use ZDDP plus? Previous owner said I should add a bottle at every oil change. From what I have read Mobile 1 already has a certain amount added.

 

I used Lubro Moly 0W-40 last time. No engine failure...yet.

TC

 

If you use a good oil it will have sufficient ZDDP in it. I can't speak to M1 but the DT40 has a higher level as do many European oils. From what I understand, if you use too much ZDDP it will/can ruin the cats, so be careful. The best thing you can do is keep your oil and filter changed on a regular basis. Get the LN Engineering Spin on Filter Adapter.
The ZDDP in the additive they put in oils for "high mileage" formulas.


FWIW, Porsche does not recommend any additives for it's oils or fluids.