After much consideratin, I settled on using Mobil 1 5-40, like many others on Elise Talk.

Walmart sold 5 qt jugs for roughly $21. Now that I'm down to the last one and the 10K change is coming up this month, I went back to restock my garage shelves. Guess what.... no Walmart, from Reno to Oakland (well, at least the half dozen I've checked), even has a spot on the shelf for Mobil 1 5-40 any more.

Has anyone else had this problem? If so, what are you going to do? Switch oils? Get Mobil 1 5-40 somewhere else? What do you suggest? Death to WalMart!
Try Costco. 6 pack of quarts for $24 I'm using Amsoil 5w/40. I have an extra case if you're going to be at SVAG this Sat I could bring it. You can have it at my cost. Let me know... I like Costco too... but they only have 5-30 and 10-30 Mobil 1 I don't think Costco carries 5w/40. They only have 5w/30 and 10w/30 I'm using Amsoil 5w/40. I have an extra case if you're going to be at SVAG this Sat I could bring it. You can have it at my cost. Let me know...
Thanks raggedy1. I'll be at SVAG this Sat. I'm not sure I'm ready to switch away from M1 5-40 yet though (may find somewhere else to buy it). I might though and, if so, I'll let you know. I think PepBoys might carry Mobil 1. Where in the Bay Area are you? I have one nearby in San Carlos. If you REALLY want Mobil 1, I can grab a case for you and bring it Saturday.

andy I like Costco too... but they only have 5-30 and 10-30 Mobil 1
Oops. Since I have received my car yet, I haven't changed the oil obviously...
We can't use the 5W-30? Bad idea? I think PepBoys might carry Mobil 1. Where in the Bay Area are you? I have one nearby in San Carlos. If you REALLY want Mobil 1, I can grab a case for you and bring it Saturday.

andy
Thanks raggedy1. I'm in the East Bay. Good idea about Pep Boys. I can check - they're not that far. Neither Kragen and Auto Zone have it. Oops. Since I have received my car yet, I haven't changed the oil obviously...
We can't use the 5W-30? Bad idea?

Lotus recommends 5w/40, which is a somewhat unusual weight. Mobil 1 makes it but they market it as an "suv oil."

I did my little bit of research and settled on using Amsoil ( a so called true/full synthetic ). After seeing , I did just that. Oops. Since I have received my car yet, I haven't changed the oil obviously...
We can't use the 5W-30? Bad idea?
Yep, 5-40 full synthetic is the consenus - and specified in the owner's manual. For track, 10-50 synthetic is OK (Walmart still has 15-50, one posability I'm thinking of) After seeing , I did just that.
Good idea, and Havoline is the recomended brand. Anyone know if the base stock is full sythetic http://www.havoline.com/products/na/motoroil_smo.html

SAE 5W-40 provides the broadest range of protection of the three Havoline Synthetic Motor Oils. It is specifically formulated to meet European requirements and is an officially approved product by BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Volkswagen.



It says synthetic and they also have a "synthetic blend" that doesn't come in 5W-40 anyway...

WHERE TO BUY:
ADI Marketing - Metro NY
Advanced Auto Parts - East of the Rockies
Ames Dept. Store - New England
ASPA Management - Long Island, NY
Auto Pro - Distributors Southeast
Autozone - Nationwide
Balas Distributing - Pennsylvania
Benny’s/Stewart - New England
Bill’s Dollar Stores - Midwest
Bi-Mart - Northwest
Boat America - East and West
CSK - West of The Rockies
Family Dollar - East of The Rockies
G. I. Joe's - Northwest
Keltner Enterprises - Midwest
K-Mart - Nationwide
Korrect Automotive - Metro NY
Mclane - South Central
Mid-State - St Paul, MN
Midwest Autoparts - Midwest
O’Reilly’s - Midwest/Southeast
Pamida - Midwest
Pep Boys - Southeast
Rite-Aid Corp - Nationwide
Thrifty Auto Supply
Tractor Supply Company - East of the Rockies
Tropical - Midwest
True Serve - Midwest
Twinco Romax - Upper Midwest
United Hardware - Upper Midwest
VIP - Northeast
Warren - Nationwide eDaddy, I had a similar experience at Walmart about a month ago. The folks in the auto department said they could not order specific type, they just get what they get. They also said the hurrican Katrina had influenced what they were getting.

I left and went to a local auto part place that had 5w40 synthetic and could order more as I needed it. Synthetic Blend:
http://www.havoline.com/products/na/motoroil_sbmo.html


Sounds like it was made for the Elise:
Havoline Synthetic Blend Motor Oil provides improved anitwear protection and improved protection against thermal breakdown for four-stroke gasoline engines used in passenger cars, light trucks, powerboats, motorcycles, and other mobile and stationary equipment. It is excellent for high-revving engines in small cars and light trucks. It was specially formulated for use in turbocharged engines.

Havoline Synthetic Blend Motor Oil works very well in today’s lower friction engines, while providing improved oxidation protection and better volatility control at extreme temperatures. Use the 0w-40 European forumla Mobil1. Or, if you want to use the "Extended Performance" Mobil1, it's available in 10w-40. I use Penzoil European formula 5w40 full synthetic. $9 a quart. This is the only 5w40 in my town, and the only place that has it is jiffy lube. Good thing they do.

-Whit $9 per quart?!?

ouch!

Athens can't be that small. There must be another source for 5w/40 oil in your town. Nope. There are like 10 Auto stores. Pep boys... Auto zone, gas stations, walmarts, the works. NONE of them carry 5w40 period. Let alone a fully synthetic blend... So, yeah, my wallet takes a hit every few thousand miles. Do you guys use the japanese filter or the american made filter during your changes? I stepped up for the jap version. It seems to be a better quality filter - dont know if its worth the price though... $10 as appose to $6 at my dealer. Had to order a case direct from japan too.