jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

*putting on flame suit*

Please indulge me

I don't drive a ton.... car has 58k miles on it.

Chicago weather is pretty nasty... normal winter days is probably mid teens (F) but can drop to the single digits.

I'm currently running Mobil1 10W30 and am inclined to use the same.

I've thought about trying Amsoil or RP but eh, I need to get my oil changed soon so I'd rather pick up some Mobil1 at WalMart for ~$20.

RC51Ryder

You will need it for this thread.

I use 0w30 because for some reason, that is all I can get my hands on at the local Wal-Mart. It doesn't get cold enough in my area for it to be a real value (Wash, DC area) but it won't hurt either.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

^ I know I don't mind

Hmm seems pretty even thus far. I guess it doesn't make a huge differences between the 3. If nothing productive comes from this thread, I'll just stick with my usual.

darksky

doesn't the manual recommend 5W-20? Shouldn't that be an option in your poll?

eluzion

Screw the EPA.

Amsoil 5W-30 here.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

IL has a much colder climate than WA though.

Hmmmm...

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

+1. You don't want to running anything with a higher viscosity rating, especially in colder weather.

Generally:
The colder the weather, the thinner the oil you can run. The warmer the weather, the thicker the oil you could run.

Rajca

iTrader: (8)

i use mobil 1 5w30 syn. all year round.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

^ Thanks. I was gonna text the local guys and see what they use.

Rajca

iTrader: (8)

o yea and sometimes mobil 1 5w20 syn. depends which one i have left or buy.

FiveLiterCheater

Royal Purple 5w20 here

I hate cars

Guys, look at facts here. The SAE charts say it all.

Synthetic 10-30 is good down to 0F and then some.

That's why I run a straight synthetic 30wt in the TL since my temps never get below freezing. Looking at the specs, my oil should be good into the single digits, slightly better than dino 10-30. I get the benefits of a mono grade oil with the good cold weather pumpability.

Now if you do lots of short trips where the oil never gets up to temp (10 minutes or less), then by all means go with a 0 or 5wt.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

We've gotten -F weather before

I think its between 5W30 and 10W30.

I hate cars

In the negatives, don't use a dino 10-30.

A synthetic 10-30 will flow as good as a dino 5-30 when cold.

A synthetic 5-30 or even a 5-20 would be a great oil for your winters.

Temperature extremes is where synthetic shines.

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

i would use 5w20 or 5w30....

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

Thanks guys. Going with 5W30

dj5

Same here. I use Mobil 1 5w30 Extended Synthetic.

MichaelBenz

iTrader: (2)

The only difference in the oils you are listing is the weight the oil starts out at, being they are all multi-viscosity oils and all end at 30. Fact is....not gonna make a whole lot of difference in the end other than what weight it starts out at cold. Thinner is going to circulate faster under cold conditions...so its probably better to run the 0W30 as recommended as on the top end when its hot....protects the same as a 10w30. The 0w30 just circulates faster on initial startup....which in fact...is a good thing.

I hate cars

To get that "W" rating, the rating is done at -25 degrees or -30 depending on the rating. By the time it's at a "normal" 0F or higher, the curves could have crossed and that 0w could be actually thicker at starting temps than the 5w.

All else being equal, the less spread between the numbers the more shear resistant the oil is. A 10-30 is no doubt a much more robust oil than a 0-30 under hard usage.

I'm pretty sure any 0w oil is at a minimum partially synthetic if not fully synthetic. Dino oil cannot meet the 0w requirement.

MichaelBenz

iTrader: (2)

Found a fun informative site that I have been reading for about an hour now....good stuff here...lots of answers to questions. Interesting read. And of course.....we are speaking of synthetics here....I didnt know anybody still used dyno oil anymore frankly. lolol

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Mot...signation.aspx


Question: Explaining Viscosity DesignationsWhat does 10W-40, 5W-30 etc., mean? I would really appreciate it if you could explain it in simple language so I can teach my students. There are so many different grades of oils. Which one is better to use in summer then winter (Chicago) and vise versa? Thanks a lot. -- Vijay Patel, Lake Zurich, IL

Answer: In simple language, the first part of the viscosity designation (W grade) is an indication of the product's ability to help an engine crank and start and for the engine to pump the lubricant. The lower the number (0W is the lowest), the lower the temperature the product can be used. So the W grade is related to the lowest temperature your engine sees when you start the engine on the coldest morning of the year. But also keep in mind that a lower W grade pumps and helps an engine to start better than a higher W grade. The second part the viscosity grade is related to the viscosity your engine sees at operating temperature. In this case, a higher number is a higher viscosity grade and provides more viscous oil at operating temperature than lower viscosity grade oil. It is not safe to assume that a higher viscosity oil is always better for your engine because other factors, such as engine design, fuel economy and power, are also related to operating viscosity. You should always consult your owner's manual for the right oil to use for your particular engine. For more information on the viscosity grade specifications, a quick search of the Internet will identify several Web sites where information about SAE J300 (Viscosity Properties Test) can be found.

CarrieLynn

iTrader: (2)

oil?? I have to change that??

j/k lol, I thought you guys would like that coming from a woman driver
I always have my oil changed and it's 5W30 for me

tech_rcd

Amsoil 0w20 in the cold where I live. No matter how cold the engine turns over nice and fast. Amsoil has the data to prove they are the best. Do some research and you will see.

ChucksCL-S

0W-20 is rated to flow at -40F !

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

Just bought 5qts of Royal Purple 5W30... I wanna see what all this hype is about!

$6.72/qt ain't bad at all!

Starchyld

Hmm...since were talking about oil changes, I'm due for one probably end of January. What do you guys suggest I use? This will be my first oil change with this car and I've used 10W30 in the past. I live in Toronto and sometimes temperature gets to about -20C to -30C. Right now its -8 outside but feels like -16 to give you an idea...any suggestions?