Oil Change Question
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: VALRICO FLORIDA
Oil Change Question
I live in Florida where it is nice and hot all year round, and was wondering what oil would be best to use (type and weight). Car is 2000 coupe. I know Mobel 1 5/30 is type called for but have been told with temps down here to use 20/50. Mobel 1 does not make 20/50 so I am loooking for sugestions.
Melting Slicks
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From: Rehoboth MA . . . NRA Life Member
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Mobil 1 does come in a 20W50 weight, I believe it has a red cap vs. the 10W30 has a green cap.
GM recommends 5W30 for fuel conservation and federal requirements. I personally think it's much too thin for hot climates.
I use AMSOIL 5W40 in my Z06.
GM recommends 5W30 for fuel conservation and federal requirements. I personally think it's much too thin for hot climates.
I use AMSOIL 5W40 in my Z06.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
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From: Greenville NC
Unless you are racing or do all interstate highway driving, Mobil 1 5W-30 is just fine for the Florida weather. If the enjine runs continuously for long periods (4-8 hours or longer) then consider a 40w. I would not use a 50W unless you run at Daytona
Melting Slicks
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From: No place to legally ride ATV's NJ
The manual says that 5W-30 is best to use. It also says you may use 10W-30 if it will be 0 deg. F or above. It further says not to use other viscosity oils, such as 20w-50.
Race Director
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From: San Diego CA
According to a Mobile 1 technical specialist to whom I spoke, 0W-30, 5W-30, or 0W-40 (provided that they meet GM's spec.) should be the only choices for the vast majority of Corvette owners, whether they live in the Mojave desert or in the coldest regions of Alaska. 10W-30 provides no benefit and actually causes slightly more engine wear at startup.
Dave
Dave
Last edited by Dave68; Jul 12, 2006 at 02:51 PM.
Racer
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From: Spanaway WA
Originally Posted by LoftyC5
Unless you are racing or do all interstate highway driving, Mobil 1 5W-30 is just fine for the Florida weather. If the enjine runs continuously for long periods (4-8 hours or longer) then consider a 40w. I would not use a 50W unless you run at Daytona
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
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From: Southern NH
I lived in SoFlo when I got my car and used 10W-30 only because it's specs were slightly better for that temperature range. 5W and 10W are almost identical anyway, but 10W had a narrower viscosity range which is a slight benefit.
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From: King George VA
Originally Posted by DWALK'00
I live in Florida where it is nice and hot all year round, and was wondering what oil would be best to use (type and weight). Car is 2000 coupe. I know Mobel 1 5/30 is type called for but have been told with temps down here to use 20/50. Mobel 1 does not make 20/50 so I am loooking for sugestions.
For those wishing to stay within the owner's manual recommendation for an oil meeting GM Standard 4718M, these AMSOIL products are labled to meet that standard:
AMSOIL Series 2000 0w30
AMSOIL SAE Synthetic 10w30
AMSOIL SAE Synthetic 5w30
For those willing to forgo the owner's manual recommendation, and who live in a warm weather climate, I feel the AMSOIL Synthetic 5w40 European Motor Oil is a better choice.
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I'd recommend what came in the car - Mobil 1 5W30. 
Thread Starter
Intermediate
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From: VALRICO FLORIDA
I drive for (1-2 hours at a time) but my oil tem runs about 220-230 F, and the oil reaches this temp within a few minutes of driving. So I guess 10w-30 or 10w-40 would be more were I need to head.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego CA
Just to clarify things a bit.....
This is not 1970. The old saying about "the narrower the range, the better" or "stick with straight weight, cause those additives only form sludge eventually" Synthetic oils do NOT need tons of stabilizers to provide protection over a wide temperature range.
It amazes me that so many people think that if they live in a warm climate, they HAVE to run 10 or 20W oils. In MOST cases, a synthetic 0W-30 or 5W-30 oil protect just as well as 10W-30 synthetic oils at high temperatures. Their (0W and 5W oils) added benefit is that they are superior to the 10W and 20W oils in cold temps as well. If you absolutely HAVE to have oil that protects beyond 280F (oil temps), then a 0W-40 synthetic fits the bill. Remember, our engines are not designed to use 20W oils, so stay away from them if your engine is essentially OEM.
This is not 1970. The old saying about "the narrower the range, the better" or "stick with straight weight, cause those additives only form sludge eventually" Synthetic oils do NOT need tons of stabilizers to provide protection over a wide temperature range.
It amazes me that so many people think that if they live in a warm climate, they HAVE to run 10 or 20W oils. In MOST cases, a synthetic 0W-30 or 5W-30 oil protect just as well as 10W-30 synthetic oils at high temperatures. Their (0W and 5W oils) added benefit is that they are superior to the 10W and 20W oils in cold temps as well. If you absolutely HAVE to have oil that protects beyond 280F (oil temps), then a 0W-40 synthetic fits the bill. Remember, our engines are not designed to use 20W oils, so stay away from them if your engine is essentially OEM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Madison Alabama
Originally Posted by DWALK'00
I live in Florida where it is nice and hot all year round, and was wondering what oil would be best to use (type and weight). Car is 2000 coupe. I know Mobel 1 5/30 is type called for but have been told with temps down here to use 20/50. Mobel 1 does not make 20/50 so I am loooking for sugestions.
. You can use 10W-30 according to your owner's manual. A heavier oil isn't necessary gonna lower the operation temp of your engine 
. Maybe you should consider swapping out your stock thermostat for a 160o thermostat and/or change to a bigger radiator. This would do more to lower operating temperature of your engine than a heaver oil
.Just my 2 cents. . . .
Cecil
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Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Thread Starter
Intermediate
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From: VALRICO FLORIDA
Originally Posted by Dave68
Just to clarify things a bit.....
This is not 1970. The old saying about "the narrower the range, the better" or "stick with straight weight, cause those additives only form sludge eventually" Synthetic oils do NOT need tons of stabilizers to provide protection over a wide temperature range.
It amazes me that so many people think that if they live in a warm climate, they HAVE to run 10 or 20W oils. In MOST cases, a synthetic 0W-30 or 5W-30 oil protect just as well as 10W-30 synthetic oils at high temperatures. Their (0W and 5W oils) added benefit is that they are superior to the 10W and 20W oils in cold temps as well. If you absolutely HAVE to have oil that protects beyond 280F (oil temps), then a 0W-40 synthetic fits the bill. Remember, our engines are not designed to use 20W oils, so stay away from them if your engine is essentially OEM.
This is not 1970. The old saying about "the narrower the range, the better" or "stick with straight weight, cause those additives only form sludge eventually" Synthetic oils do NOT need tons of stabilizers to provide protection over a wide temperature range.
It amazes me that so many people think that if they live in a warm climate, they HAVE to run 10 or 20W oils. In MOST cases, a synthetic 0W-30 or 5W-30 oil protect just as well as 10W-30 synthetic oils at high temperatures. Their (0W and 5W oils) added benefit is that they are superior to the 10W and 20W oils in cold temps as well. If you absolutely HAVE to have oil that protects beyond 280F (oil temps), then a 0W-40 synthetic fits the bill. Remember, our engines are not designed to use 20W oils, so stay away from them if your engine is essentially OEM.