Oil Change
Legend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,543
Likes: 2
From: United States
RE: Oil Change
The first number, in this case 0,5 or 10, is the oils weight cold and the lighter the oil the better it will flow during colder conditions. This is why many manufacturers recommend 5 during the winter and 10 during the summer, better protection on start up. The last number, in this case 30, is the oils weight at hotter temperatures and the heavier oil get back to the oil pick up tube quicker to be pumped back into the engine quicker. Most engines run at around the same operating temperature year round which is why this number stays the same. If you notice, race cars/engines run the heavier oils like 20W50 for these reasons, they run at much hotter temperatures and they are not being ran in cold weather. Oil also acts as a coolant as it helps to remove heat from the engine as well, which is why oil coolers are commonly found in high performance and heavy duty applications.
Synthetic oils cover and protect parts far better than conventional oils, this is why they improve both performance and fuel mileage. Because of synthetic oils ability to coat and stay on the parts, the first number is a little less important than what it is with conventional oils. I run 5W30 in the winter and 10W30 in the summer.
Synthetic oils cover and protect parts far better than conventional oils, this is why they improve both performance and fuel mileage. Because of synthetic oils ability to coat and stay on the parts, the first number is a little less important than what it is with conventional oils. I run 5W30 in the winter and 10W30 in the summer.
Champion
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,361
Likes: 0
From: NY
RE: Oil Change
i use 0w-40 mobil one, and have been using it since my first oil change. when i brought the car in for its first oil change, they didn't know what weight to use so they called mopar performance. they told them to use 0w-40 to accomodate for the weather conditions in this area, so that's what they've been using since.
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Oil Change
ORIGINAL: 71RoadRunner
The first number, in this case 0,5 or 10, is the oils weight cold and the lighter the oil the better it will flow during colder conditions. This is why many manufacturers recommend 5 during the winter and 10 during the summer, better protection on start up. The last number, in this case 30, is the oils weight at hotter temperatures and the heavier oil get back to the oil pick up tube quicker to be pumped back into the engine quicker. Most engines run at around the same operating temperature year round which is why this number stays the same. If you notice, race cars/engines run the heavier oils like 20W50 for these reasons, they run at much hotter temperatures and they are not being ran in cold weather. Oil also acts as a coolant as it helps to remove heat from the engine as well, which is why oil coolers are commonly found in high performance and heavy duty applications.
Synthetic oils cover and protect parts far better than conventional oils, this is why they improve both performance and fuel mileage. Because of synthetic oils ability to coat and stay on the parts, the first number is a little less important than what it is with conventional oils. I run 5W30 in the winter and 10W30 in the summer.
The first number, in this case 0,5 or 10, is the oils weight cold and the lighter the oil the better it will flow during colder conditions. This is why many manufacturers recommend 5 during the winter and 10 during the summer, better protection on start up. The last number, in this case 30, is the oils weight at hotter temperatures and the heavier oil get back to the oil pick up tube quicker to be pumped back into the engine quicker. Most engines run at around the same operating temperature year round which is why this number stays the same. If you notice, race cars/engines run the heavier oils like 20W50 for these reasons, they run at much hotter temperatures and they are not being ran in cold weather. Oil also acts as a coolant as it helps to remove heat from the engine as well, which is why oil coolers are commonly found in high performance and heavy duty applications.
Synthetic oils cover and protect parts far better than conventional oils, this is why they improve both performance and fuel mileage. Because of synthetic oils ability to coat and stay on the parts, the first number is a little less important than what it is with conventional oils. I run 5W30 in the winter and 10W30 in the summer.