Hi Fellas

Got my truck here with me in Eastern Europe where the climate is pretty similar to Northern New England (VT, NH, ME). Very bitter cold this winter. I tend to use 5W-30 year-round, but maybe this is not the best for this engine. Any ideas or thoughts? Thanks!

 

Whatever the O/M says. I think 5w-30 is good down to -20.

 

I nver had problems with 5/30 in my 4.7L, 5.2L, 3.9L, 4.0L Jeep, old 360 ram charger, or even the old 4 cylinder cars I had as a kid (2.2L and 2.5L). The 4.7, 4.0 Jeep and 5.2 didn't see much cold weather, maybe once per year down below freezing into the -30 range... but all the others had lots of trips in it. The 3.9L and 360 lived in it when I lived in Alberta, along with the old cars. It never seemed to be a problem. If it was below -15C I plugged in the block heater if I could overnight. At work or school, it sat in the cold and you just made do. If its really cold, just be sure to give it time to warm up good before driving... 5 minutes in the real cold is usually enough to get oil flowing. If its cold enough to need to warm the interior (or de-ice windows) then usually by the time the windows are clear (or the inside is warmed a bit) you are good to go.

 

Very helpful, Guys! Guess we're gonna be okay then. Stay well over there. Can't wait to move back home.

 

5w-30 is relatively thin oil at least by my standards, I'm old enough to remember going to 20w-50 in summer or full time on older engines and comparing 20w-50 to 5w-30 is like comparing maple syrup to water, LOL.

You should be fine with 5w-30, although if it's THAT cold, an inexpensive heater for when your truck is sitting out in the cold, either a block or oil pan heater will do and can be had over here for around $25. Another thing that may save your a$$ in the long run would be a low amperage automatic battery maintainer, something anywhere from 1-2 AMP would suffice and again these can be purchase at any number of places over here starting at about $20...

 

Whatever the owners manual calls for. I believe it's 5w-20 or 5w-30.
If your worried about cold weather starts, you could go to a 0w-30 which will flow a little easier when the engine is cold(0w) and yet flow the same when the engine is hot(30) giving you a 0w-30 oil. 5w-30 is a little "stiffer" when cold than 0w-30.

I live in upstate NY. I follow owners manual for oil viscosity ratings and it gets very cold as well, although, this winter has been extremely mild. No measurable snowfall yet and 30's-40's all winter long....woohooo

 

Thanks for the ideas there, dirtydog

 

Mild "winter" here, too. First February I've seen where I can go outside in shorts and a t-shirt. Either we're still due a short intense winter or a long hot summer.

 

I play golf on average 2x per week, I think I've worn long pants for two rounds so far this year...