Mixing Engine Oils

There is Castrol GTX Protec15W/40 engine oil in our car and it is VERY low (red light came on today[:0]) and I've bought a Shell Helix Plus 10W-40.

Is it ok to mix these two oils?

I drove straight to the garage where we usually go after hubby told me about that light and we verified that the oil was indeed low but they had gone home already. So I stopped at a nearby petrol station and bought the Helix 10W-40 without knowing what was in the car. At home we checked the most recent service bill and it says there is a different oil in the car:(.

If it's not ok to mix we have to drive the car some 5km before it gets new oil tomorrow morning - that's the only downside.

I would put it in, cheaper than a siezed engine. Why has it run so low and when was the last oil change done? as there could be more problems if its using that amound in less than 6 months/10,000kms.

Thanks, Glenn.

Well, its overdue for a service by about 1000km and we got the service reminder in the mail but we had school holidays so it was 'deferred'. It has been overdue before but the oil had never been that low so it might have an oil leak. We'll take it to the garage (it's getting old) next week but as it's our only car we don't want to leave it in our garage (unused) for that long.

Overdue for a service by 1000km should not see you running so low on oil so you need to look into it. I agree with the others - pour the oil in that you have as it is way cheaper than running out!

Just spoke to my brother(mechanic) and he says it will be fine, also said if the car is old it may be just burning the oil, he usually has to top his car up between oil changes and in his old car he knew when to top it up as the oil light came on when cornering, but he did say that car was knackered. Typical mechanics cars, always rough.

Put t in it wont make any problems as its just regular oil most of which mix only in turbo or high performance motors its a problem. Older cars burn oil as ours do:rolleyes: so top up and get it serviced check oil once a week say sunday night ready for Monday as we do , or any same time each week.

The only types you shouldn't mix are synthetic oils with regular oils- mixing two different brands of regular oil is fine

Done!

I also booked it in for a service on Tuesday.

Thank you all

Can anyone tell me what type of oil i'm meant to put in my quad bike? I know its diff from the car oil

You need an oil made for quads and motorbikes as it also lubricates the gearbox. I bought SAE10w40 oil. Its what the guy at the motor bike shop reccommended, although it was the only non synthetic on the shelf. It was $45 for 4l. My brother then infromed me that Repco and supercheap also sell oils for motor bikes so it my be cheaper there.

Having a mixed range of vehicles here from the quad to the digger. I use a 15W40 high performance (turbo) diesel oil in everything. There was some concern when putting it into the 1994 Suzuki Vitara V6 that it may dissolve the varnish deposit which could make the rings "lose" and promote a little oil burning but no problems at all.

I buy mine in 20l containers and the BP stuff (Vanellus C6 Global) is just over $100 so works out at around $5/l. Much cheaper than buying the 4 or 5l packs. Used to get 60l drums but they don't like sending them out here any more.

Powerguy same here our cars are older but so far so good