Oil viscosity
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,182
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From: Oakley Ca
Oil viscosity
I recently purchased a 97 C5 with 50K on it. The mechanic took care of the car for the previous owner said he used 0-40 Mobile synthetic oil in it. The car calls for 5-30. Question is do I continue to run 0-40 or go to the 5-30. Thanks in advance for your help.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,437
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I'm not a petroleum chemist, some folks on forums may think they are. So until you speak to a real one, beware! And if you do, please share!
What I do know is the engineers designed it to work with 5-30 so that's what I use. I've read that splits in viscosity come from friction modifiers and the larger the split, the more inconsistent it becomes. The 0w was cleary intended to deal with startup and getting oil pumped more quickly into the engine.
What I do know is the engineers designed it to work with 5-30 so that's what I use. I've read that splits in viscosity come from friction modifiers and the larger the split, the more inconsistent it becomes. The 0w was cleary intended to deal with startup and getting oil pumped more quickly into the engine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
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From: Long Island NY
Since you live in a mild climate go with the 5w30. I live in NY and never put anything but 5w30 Mobil 1 in mine for the last 10 years or so and the car runs like new. Congratulations on your Vette, all the best bro!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
The owners manual says 5w30 or 10w30 depending on temperature. It's Chapter Six in the Owners Manual, by the way. I know from numerous past threads in C5 Tech (you can find them with search or search this forum in the red banner) about "recommended oil viscosity", some do use or suggest the 0w viscosity may be beneficial to engine life from the start up perspective at colder temperatures.
I recall some pretty cold temperatures in the San Francisco, CA area so I had to look it up...
Quote: Oakley, CA Weather
Oakley, CA climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70's and cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 40's.
The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 90.70 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is December with an average minimum temperature of 37.10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be relatively big during summer with a difference that can reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 17 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Oakley is 13.33 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is January with an average rainfall of 2.72 Inches.
I recall some pretty cold temperatures in the San Francisco, CA area so I had to look it up...
Quote: Oakley, CA Weather
Oakley, CA climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70's and cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 40's.
The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 90.70 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is December with an average minimum temperature of 37.10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be relatively big during summer with a difference that can reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 17 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Oakley is 13.33 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is January with an average rainfall of 2.72 Inches.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Jul 12, 2011 at 05:44 PM.
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Mine gets only 5W30 - never had any problems in any of my cars.
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Pro
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Mobil-1 5W-30 High Mileage is what I'd use, or stick with the 0W-40.
If any of the other experts here had looked up the viscosity specs, they'd see that M1 0W-40 is actually thicker at 40degC than the 5W-30. Don't let that 0W turn you off.
High Mileage is M1 synthetic oil with the anti-wear additive package (ZDDP, zinc/phosphorous molecule) from the API SL specification which is good stuff for engines. API has been reducing zinc/phosphorous to help catalytic converters live longer, but I'm more concerned about my engine as they're harder to replace than cats.
If any of the other experts here had looked up the viscosity specs, they'd see that M1 0W-40 is actually thicker at 40degC than the 5W-30. Don't let that 0W turn you off.
High Mileage is M1 synthetic oil with the anti-wear additive package (ZDDP, zinc/phosphorous molecule) from the API SL specification which is good stuff for engines. API has been reducing zinc/phosphorous to help catalytic converters live longer, but I'm more concerned about my engine as they're harder to replace than cats.
Pro
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