10W-30 Oil vs. 5W30-Oil
06-12-2008, 11:59 AM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
10W-30 Oil vs. 5W30-Oil
On my recent oil change I brought Mobil 1 10W-30 Synthetic oil to Jiffy Lube and they used that. They told me the car uses 5W-30, which I know is correct. Instead going back to Wal Mart and switching oil, I just had them put the 10W-30 in.
The other factor is that we are entering the hot summer months here in Arizona and my thought was that I should be OK with the thicker oil.
Is there any real problems with using the 10W-30?
The other factor is that we are entering the hot summer months here in Arizona and my thought was that I should be OK with the thicker oil.
Is there any real problems with using the 10W-30?
06-12-2008, 12:13 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
I believe my '97 Z28 was supposed to use 5W30, but for 10 years I put 10W30 Mobil-1 in it. No problems except the usual LT-1 intake manifold leak. But I'm pretty sure that wasn't related to thicker oil.
06-12-2008, 12:44 PM
#5
Pro
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As well as synthetics flow, I doubt you or your engine will notice any difference. Especially in AZ heat. My guess is that GM recommends 5W-30 more for fuel economy reasons than anything else.
06-12-2008, 01:07 PM
#6
Race Director
It won't hurt anything but in all honesty 10w30 is an obsolete viscosity now. 5w30 can do everything a 10w30 can do, but with the added benefit of flowing better on startup. So there is no real reason for anyone to use a 10w30 anymore, at least not with synthetic oils.
06-12-2008, 01:10 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
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06-12-2008, 01:42 PM
#10
Melting Slicks
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There will be no issues. My supercharged engine likes 10W30 better anyway, so that's what I use. Your car will not notice the difference.
As for multi-vis synthetic oil, we'll all be using 0W40 at some point - that's the whole reason for "multi-vis" oil - it will alter its viscosity as temperatures dictate. There's no reason to really use a higher number unless you have a specific application that requires it.
As for multi-vis synthetic oil, we'll all be using 0W40 at some point - that's the whole reason for "multi-vis" oil - it will alter its viscosity as temperatures dictate. There's no reason to really use a higher number unless you have a specific application that requires it.
06-12-2008, 02:33 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
I wouldn't have gone back to Walmart either.
10 wt. oils are yesterdays news but meet the needs of cars recomending 5 wt. oils.........and next time around switch to the 5-30.
06-12-2008, 02:46 PM
#14
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The 10W refers to the 'cold' viscosity. The 30 is the hot viscosity. As soon as the oil warms up, it will be virtually the same.
06-12-2008, 02:49 PM
#15
Melting Slicks
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I run 10W-30 Mobil 1 in the summer months. It gets HOT out here! Since I switched the oil % Meter has been changing VERY slightly. Like it can tell the difference between 2 weights!
06-12-2008, 08:24 PM
#17
Race Director
Actually, no we won't. The move will be to thinner oils not thicker ones, so eventually you'll see all carmakers specifying 5w20 and 0w20 oils, all in the name of fuel economy. But don't worry about engine longevity, as the new engines which have been designed with these thinner oils in mind are living long lives.
06-12-2008, 08:48 PM
#18
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On my recent oil change I brought Mobil 1 10W-30 Synthetic oil to Jiffy Lube and they used that. They told me the car uses 5W-30, which I know is correct. Instead going back to Wal Mart and switching oil, I just had them put the 10W-30 in.
The other factor is that we are entering the hot summer months here in Arizona and my thought was that I should be OK with the thicker oil.
Is there any real problems with using the 10W-30?
The other factor is that we are entering the hot summer months here in Arizona and my thought was that I should be OK with the thicker oil.
Is there any real problems with using the 10W-30?
I went to one of those places and they were going to charge me $40.00 plus tax whether I brought my own oil or used theirs.
