MyLastCorvette

I was reading "Jegs" catalog they send me periodically. Arrived at the oil section and was scanning the various brands/weights.

Got down to Royal Purple, and there it was. Euro fill 5-40wt, what's up with that? One could theorize those who have access to the "Autobahn" would likely run harder for extended periods.

I am switching to Castrol 5-40 synthetic myself. I only use the Corvette in the spring and summer anyway...

AzDave47

There was a thread on here 1-2 years ago. GM recommends M1, but M1 5W-30 is not exported to Europe as many of the Euro high performance manufacturers want 0W-40 oil. That is why the Euro Vettes get M1 0W-40 (Euroblend).

My 03 M3 required Castrol 10W-60 synthetic after over 150 engines in the USA ate themselves. My 03 had a recall to replace the rod or main bearings. When I sold it, it had 74K miles, a few track days , run to 8K RPM at the track and was in great condition. The factory oil changes would go 14-17 K miles per the computer, but I changed it at the mid-point of that interval.

Mark2009

M1 5W30 cannot be marketed as a true synthetic in Euroland (Japan either, IIRC)

MyLastCorvette

Thanks Guys, just wondered. Realizing recommendations for oil here are not necessarily for the benefit of the longevity of the engine; Rather the extended life of the cats, I was just wondering.

After the near failure of my valve train at 9k, I'm switching to 10-40; Although I believe the lack of proper machining was more to due with the problem than the oil...

Rock36

It's more or less what Mark2009 said. It has more to do with EU regulations than anything else.

There isn't enough open autobahn in Germany to warrant a different oil for all corvettes in Europe for performance reasons.

When I was stationed in Germany, I would occasionally "cruise" in 6th gear going ~130 mph, and even then the engine would be turning at less than 3K rpm... not all that taxing really.

Mark2009

Be careful. EDGE may be ok, their other stuff is probably a blend (junk).

Mobil1 0W40 may be better.

MyLastCorvette

How I wish there were places in America where one could streach the legs of a performance machine...
What I have is Castrol EDGE full synthetic 5-40. Keeping in mind this test was conducted almost 10 years ago, and there have been inprovements.

Four Ball Wear test ASTM D4172 40 kg pressure @ 150C, 1800 rpm for 1 hour. The wear was measured on the brands tested.

Least wear to greatest; Or best to worst

1. AMSOIL 0-30
2. Pennzoil Platinum 5-30
3. Castrol Syntec 0-30
4. Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 5-30
5. Quaker State Full Synthetic 5-30
6. Havoline 5-30
7. Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5-30 YIKES

Now I will be running what hopefully is even better than #3. The Edge 5-40...

AzDave47

Nevada, NORC and Silver State Challenge, 90-mile cruise at 150 for 36 minutes, twice a year. You did know that the Z06 cruise control only works properly up to 157 mph didn't you?

Mojave CA, 1 1/2 mile trap speed event, quick run but nearly top speed for a Z06.

Mark2009

I don't put much faith in the wear ball test. Look at #4 -- a synthetic blend

And it does change every several years (the oil changes formulation)

double06

I think the 40 weight oil has a higher zinc content to 1100 ppm versus 900 ppm or something like that.

AzDave47

1000 phosphorus and 1100 Zinc

See all the details: https://mobiloil.com/~/media/amer/us...ecs-guide.ashx