One of my friends works at a local auto parts store (not a chain store), and claims he found out that AutoZone brand oil comes from the same source (refinery-wise). If so, what is it equivalent to?

Automobile, truck, farm and construction equipment manufacturers specify what they feel is required of lubricants for use in their products. If the requirement specifications of the manufactures, such as SAE, API SM, SL, SJ or SH are met or exceeded, the label on a lubricant product will state such. Thus, if an Autozone, Pennzoil, Havoline or other product states that it meets the manufactures requirements--------------------THEORETICALLY---------------it should be just as good as the high priced, name brands. Because of these specifications that are required, I no longer buy the big name brands. I buy ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL my automotive oil from O'Reillys (their brand) and I buy my 80w90 gear oil for trannys and rearends by the gallon from Walmart.
So, to answer your question, I don't know who makes oil for Autozone, but, if the label says it meets or exceeds the auto manufacturers requirements, it should be good to go at a much better price!

A reliable source told me once that all of the multi-grade oil is recycled. So, it's basically all the same.

I used only the cheap stuff in a 1993 Mazda I had and it lasted almost 200k miles.

Years back, Valvoline produced a lot of oil for various store brands. The True Value Hardware Store brand "Master Mechanic" was one of these oils. You could nearly tell just for the shape of the bottle.

It's got to be such that all of the major manufacturers would want to bottle their product under other labels -- reduces their cost through higher through put.

All motor oils begin with similar base oils which are then blended with an additive package. The current spec for motor oils is API SM, which meets the latest requirements. I believe that AutoZone's "ValuCraft" oils only meet SJ requirements, which means that it shouldn't be used vehicles that require an SL or SM rating. It even states this on the package. 10W-40, 20W-50 and HD oils are not required to meet the current specs.

(A reliable source told me once that all of the multi-grade oil is recycled. So, it's basically all the same.) This is not true, recycled oil is typically used for commercial use or for oils that are not required to meet API specifications. Major brand oils such as Pennzoil, Castrol and Quaker State use refined base oils to blend with their additive packages. Without these base oils, they would not be able to meet the API specs.

(Years back, Valvoline produced a lot of oil for various store brands. The True Value Hardware Store brand "Master Mechanic" was one of these oils. You could nearly tell just for the shape of the bottle.) This is true for many private label brands, but it doesn't necessarily mean that it is the same oil in the bottle.

So...if your oil is into SM, does it beat up on your cam and lifters...

You want to use diesel motor oil in all your non-roller cam motors. They offer far superior lubricity, typically by using zink. Zink is like gold.

how much diesel oil do you use in a typical gas engine with a 5 qt pan?

I heard Valvoline is the maker of NAPA brand oil. That was from a guy that works at NAPA. Don't know about AutoZone oil.

HA! I got that, Schurkey. Good one.

How do you know what the manufacturers' requirements are for your piece of machinery?? Is that a dumb question?

You want to use diesel motor oil in all your non-roller cam motors. They offer far superior lubricity, typically by using zink. Zink is like gold.

Valvoline 20w-50 Racing oil has the good stuff - zinc - in it!

That is what I use!

Is the old green Kendall oil made under a different name today?

Anyone running a hydraulic cam and lifters should be running the diesel oil or race oils for the higher zinc content=cam protection. There was a good article on this in a recent Hot Rod magazine.

Mike S.

Diesel oil in roller or non roller? Never heard about this before what is different in diesel oil just the zinc?

The same refinery doesn’t mean the same product. Additives can be added at the end and can significantly change the oil. The key is that the oil meets or exceeds manufactures specification. A name brand may exceed much more the store brands I just don’t know. Yes, store brands are produced by the big oil refineries but they could be subject to different standards. Zinc was discussed as a good thing – is that in the manufactures specs? At this point I’m still guessing if store brands and name label oils are the same.

Is the old green Kendall oil made under a different name today?
Thanks to another member, I found out the kendall green is still around as "BRAD PENN". For more info, www.amref.com

Read the article in this months hotrod on why you should only run a diesel oil or racing oil in your non-roller motor.

Personal preference, and I work for the company... don't buy the valucraft oil. I'd buy the coastal at the very least. I used one quart of valuecraft oil just to pour on some metal at work so it didnt rust. It was kind of clearish/purplish, and smelled HORRIBLE.