Which oil for top up?

[993porky]

Hi, not sure if this is a daft question so I’m preparing for abit stick here ☺️

I need to top up oil but now I’m thinking do I need or is it best to top up with same brand oil as used by the garage during service?

or is it ok to use any recommended oil for the top up, and while I’m asking what is the preferred oil everyone’s using.
on dipstick it’s nearing the low marker after a run out and up to temperature 

thanks 

Paul

[Phill]

I top up with the same oil that's in my cars. Thats easy though cos I use the same oil in all my cars so I only have one to choose from 

But, if they were different I would still use the same oil that's already in it.

[993porky]

Thanks @Phill that’s what I was thinking use same oil, what oil do you recommend?

[Phill]

2 hours ago, 993porky said:

Thanks @Phill that’s what I was thinking use same oil, what oil do you recommend?

For the 911? Valvoline VR1.

[Ian Comerford]

VR1 for me too and there’s an offer at Opie currently. https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-73741-valvoline-vr1-racing-20w-50-engine-oil.aspx

[ROBINWILD]

3 hours ago, Ian Comerford said:

VR1 for me too and there’s an offer at Opie currently. https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-73741-valvoline-vr1-racing-20w-50-engine-oil.aspx

Thanks for the Opie tip off Ian, needed some so ordered 5 litres straight away

[993porky]

Thanks @Phill for the recommendation and @Ian Comerford for the link 👍🏻👍🏻

 

[Scumfrog]

I have heard it said that the VR1 racing is only intended for short term use. Some say a year, others say just one race. 

I have used it before however, and do think it's excellent. Pulling it out after little use over a year, it came out like new(ish) oil. 

£30 / 5 litres, and free delivery for 3 or more is a bit of a bargain.

Maybe the new formulation is because they realised people were using it for longer periods in road cars?

[Nige]

For the past 20 years I've generally used Millers Trident Pro 10w-40 Semi. 

I've used VR1 maybe 2 oil changes, it tended to burn/consume that more than the Millers so I stuck to Millers.  Ran fine otherwise.  Its now having its engine rebuilt but it did have +165k miles on it.  The tear down has has revealed minimal wear other than valves guides, usual stuff, etc.  

Millers tends to be cheaper:

https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-60215-millers-oils-trident-professional-10w-40-semi-synthetic-engine-oil.aspx?variantid=67579&gASF=1&gASF2=1&kwd=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17416009660&gbraid=0AAAAAD93jkEgrIYY9L0UpnCGjWuwxyMRX&gclid=CjwKCAjw7fzDBhA7EiwAOqJkh4P0nM9NONcAFfBoPuF3bUoEkslpmL7tiqenyneq6t8XX1V6uTIfzBoCPH0QAvD_BwE

 

 

Edited July 22, 2025 by Nige

[Ian Comerford]

It will be interesting to see if it burns VR1 after the rebuild Nige (and doesn't burn Millers).  Just over 20k miles on mine since the rebuild and it doesn't burn a drop.

Edited July 22, 2025 by Ian Comerford

[993porky]

Going to ring the Porsche specialist I use up here and ask what is in it now and top up with that, then beginning of next year get them to do service and either use the vr1 or the millers oil from then one