Engine Oil - A slippery subject Part 2 - Car Forums

Well, let's start the oil topic #2.

I was a die hard 10w-30 user until about a year ago and finaly gave up and went with 5w-30 like my owner's manuals said for both my Accord and Explorer. I actually picked up some gas mileage, but I do believe the greatest benefit to the engine is upon start-up - flows better in a cold engine.

Even though I have nothing against it, I still am too much of a die hard to go with synthetic. I'm one of those who uses Quaker State dino and changes every 3,000 miles. My engines last very well.

#3 of 3583 5W-30 vs 10w-30 by scherf

Dec 07, 1999 (3:24 am)

After reading the last two posts, I'm inclined to agree on 5W-30. I was surprised to hear that so many manufacturers suggest that viscosity. I haven't made up my mind on synthetics, though. I've read previous posts suggesting that synthetic users have to crank their engine less during the winter (better start up). I wonder if the difference is as pronounced with a 5W-30 weight oil as a 10W-30... I don't exactly live north of the artic circle (Ohio), so I wonder if this is a moot point.

I've always changed at 3-4K also, depending on manufacturer recommendations. Don't know if it's really needed, but I'm not going to second guess the engineers who designed my car.

ghtrap--just out of curiosity, do you notice better starting all year or just in winter?

#4 of 3583 10W30 by inky

Dec 07, 1999 (1:45 pm)

I noticed that OLDs recommends 10w30 for the intrigue with 3.5 l. IT is posted on the oil filler cap. MOst other cars do recommend 5w30 and that is what I use in my Lexus ES300 and Honda Odyssey. If you want quick lubrication at start up to reduce engine wear and you do not drive near redline continually a good 5w30 should do the trick. I would admit that 5w30 would not lubricate properly say a Honda Civic that goes to high rpms a lot in warm summer months.
INKY

#5 of 3583 by btroy

Dec 07, 1999 (5:26 pm)

5-30 and 10-30 will have the same viscosity under high temperatures. The only difference is in low-temperature viscosity.

#6 of 3583 ruking1 by rs_petty

Dec 07, 1999 (9:10 pm)

But I believe one reason 5w-50 is not recommended by the manufacturers is it is only available from a few companies and in synthetic. They have to conform to a wide consumer base. I wonder if the engine would even know if it had 5w-30 or 5w-50. Perhaps though on second thought it would create too thick of an oil layer in the lubrication system causing oil pressure to be too high leading to seeps & leaks and possibly reducing gas mileage.

#7 of 3583 Synthetic blends by Sporin

Dec 07, 1999 (10:39 pm)

Best of both worlds? Opinions and experiences?

#8 of 3583 Couple things plus question by scherf

Dec 07, 1999 (11:20 pm)

rs_petty: I'm inclined to think that you are right about that being too think. That's the same as 20W-50, and my guess is that tolerances are probably too tight. As per my previous posts (and answers to it), it looks like most of the manufacturers are getting away from that heavy stuff.

sporin--I don't think I would ever use a synthetic blend. I checked out the numbers, and they are virtually identical to conventional oil. I've seen posts here where the amount of synthetic oil in the blends is MAX 25% (some only 10%--I know that number for sure). You'd be economically better off to buy a quart or two of synthetic for your next oil change and mix it with the conventional oil (they're all fully compatible, but you could get Castrol Syntec and Regular Castrol, if it gives you greater peace of mind), and you'd get a higher % synthetic (that's all the manufacturer does--there's nothing special about the blends. Just more money.

My question--anyone know anything about Motorcraft oil? It seems to be more expensive, and I wonder if it's actually made by Ford or if they just slap their name on it.

#9 of 3583 15-50 by ccotenj

Dec 08, 1999 (12:35 am)

in my bimmer. mobil 1. i was amazed the first time i poured syn out of a bottle. the stuff flows like water.
i noticed when i put syn in my f150 that it just "sounded" better at startup. could be a placebo effect.
comment on syn blends. frankly, worst of both worlds, imho.

#10 of 3583 Synthetic with turbocharger by thought

Dec 08, 1999 (2:59 am)

Can anyone share their long term experience with using synthetic in a turbocharged engine? I'm considering changing from dino to Mobil 1 in my '94 Volvo 940 which just turned over 100k. I am especially interested in frequency of synthetic oil changes for anyone with a turbo. I plan to run Mobil 1 with the A-C Delco Ultra-guard Gold filter in my new Honda Odyssey LX and change oil every 7500 mi. (Thanks for the filter suggestion Inky!)

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