5w vs 10w
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
5w vs 10w
Probably been addressed alot, but search not working and I'm new here.
Pros / Cons / Opinions about 5w-30 vs 10w-30 in the C5. My understanding is that there shouldn't be any difference except at "start-up", meaning the 5w gives better start-up lubrication... then
after reaching operating temp, there is virtually no difference.
Agree or Disagree?
I know 5w is what GM recommends and the 5w Mobil 1 cites the GM spec for this car, but the 10w Mobile 1 does not. But, the service manual indicates 10w "can" be used as long as the lower temperature
criteria is not exceeded during the period of use. (I live down south)
Thanks
Pros / Cons / Opinions about 5w-30 vs 10w-30 in the C5. My understanding is that there shouldn't be any difference except at "start-up", meaning the 5w gives better start-up lubrication... then
after reaching operating temp, there is virtually no difference.
Agree or Disagree?
I know 5w is what GM recommends and the 5w Mobil 1 cites the GM spec for this car, but the 10w Mobile 1 does not. But, the service manual indicates 10w "can" be used as long as the lower temperature
criteria is not exceeded during the period of use. (I live down south)
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
Likes: 4
From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
My opinion? (and I'm Irish so keep it in mind) is that it really doesn't matter in the "real" world between 5w and 10w.... flame outfit on and zipped up!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 2
From: pawleys island sc
Originally Posted by mrm1149
My opinion? (and I'm Irish so keep it in mind) is that it really doesn't matter in the "real" world between 5w and 10w.... flame outfit on and zipped up!!
you MUST be kidding - we're talking about putting OIL in a CORVETTE - not some POS Ferrari, Bentley or Porsche 959. 5W or 10W MUST make a difference !!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 6
From: Arroyo Grande CA
10w30 will be just fine. That's what I use. It hardly ever drops below 32*F where I live.
As to 10w30 meeting GM4718M specs, it does. The newer Extended Performance, doesn't. Below is a reply from Mobil1 when I asked them the question.............................
From: "Mobil Product Information" <mobilproducts@ourdataworks.com> [Save Address] [Block Sender] [This Is Spam]
To: mcmlxiii@lycos.com
CC:
Subject: (no subject)
Date: Tue, 09 Aug 2005 14:00:16 -0500
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mobil1 5W30 motor oil has been factory-filled in the Corvette for
over 12 years and is factory-filled with the Chevy Corvette till this
very day. Mobil conventional or synthetic blends will not meet the
Corvette GM 4718M requirement. There are three viscosities of Classic
Mobil1 (gray cap) synthetic motor oils that will meet the Corvette
standard which include the Mobil1 0W30, 5W30 and 10W30 viscosities.
-Matt
As to 10w30 meeting GM4718M specs, it does. The newer Extended Performance, doesn't. Below is a reply from Mobil1 when I asked them the question.............................
From: "Mobil Product Information" <mobilproducts@ourdataworks.com> [Save Address] [Block Sender] [This Is Spam]
To: mcmlxiii@lycos.com
CC:
Subject: (no subject)
Date: Tue, 09 Aug 2005 14:00:16 -0500
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mobil1 5W30 motor oil has been factory-filled in the Corvette for
over 12 years and is factory-filled with the Chevy Corvette till this
very day. Mobil conventional or synthetic blends will not meet the
Corvette GM 4718M requirement. There are three viscosities of Classic
Mobil1 (gray cap) synthetic motor oils that will meet the Corvette
standard which include the Mobil1 0W30, 5W30 and 10W30 viscosities.
-Matt
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,957
Likes: 3,497
From: Central MO
The 10W30 is recommended in the manual for use down to 0 degrees. Below that and you are supposed to use 5W30.
I just changed my oil for the first time last week and put 10W30 in. I had noisy cold startup the first time of the day and decided to try the 10W as others had posted it quieted their cold startup down. So far, so good with mine; it's now quiet.
I just changed my oil for the first time last week and put 10W30 in. I had noisy cold startup the first time of the day and decided to try the 10W as others had posted it quieted their cold startup down. So far, so good with mine; it's now quiet.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
Likes: 37
From: King George VA
Originally Posted by PGann
Pros / Cons / Opinions about 5w-30 vs 10w-30 in the C5.
If you believe the data Mobil 1 has posted, the cSt viscosity of the 5w30 is 11.3 at 100C and the viscosity of the 10w30 is 10.0 at 100C, meaning the 5w30 is actually "thicker" than the 10w30 at normal operating temp.
AMSOIL recently reformulated their SAE synthetics to meet the new API standards and their product data sheets now show a cSt viscosity of 10.6 at 100C for both the 5w30 and 10w30, implying there is no difference between the two at normal operating temp.
__________________
C66 Racing #66 NASA ST2, SCCA T2
AMSOIL Dealer (Forum Vendor)
AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program (Members buy at Wholesale - a savings of about 25%)
C66 Racing #66 NASA ST2, SCCA T2
AMSOIL Dealer (Forum Vendor)
AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program (Members buy at Wholesale - a savings of about 25%)
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Here's the reason I'm asking. I've had two vehicles since the early 90's that I've used 5w per the service manual / oil filler cap. Both vehicles have ultimately gone on to produce a lot of the "engine chatter" that some have complained about with their Vettes. One was a '92 Bonneville (personal vehicle) that I kept until it had 150,000 miles on it.
It ran fine when I got rid of it, but sounded pretty nasty, like the engine was trying to come apart. The other, a '97 Chevy Pickup (work vehicle) does exactly the same thing. It now has 109,000 on it. Really nasty sounding.
I just bought a '98 Vette with 37,000 miles, still like new. It's replacing my old standby "extra vehicle", a '79 Datsun Kingcab that I've always put 10w-30 in. It has 143,000 on it and still runs and sounds just like it did the day I bought it when it was a year old and only had 4,800 miles on it.
Maybe the difference is Chevrolet vs Nissan and does not have anything to do with the oil. But I'm suspect. Apparently others are wondering too. I plan to keep this car a long time and don't want it sounding like a very large sewing machine if I can help it.
It ran fine when I got rid of it, but sounded pretty nasty, like the engine was trying to come apart. The other, a '97 Chevy Pickup (work vehicle) does exactly the same thing. It now has 109,000 on it. Really nasty sounding.
I just bought a '98 Vette with 37,000 miles, still like new. It's replacing my old standby "extra vehicle", a '79 Datsun Kingcab that I've always put 10w-30 in. It has 143,000 on it and still runs and sounds just like it did the day I bought it when it was a year old and only had 4,800 miles on it.
Maybe the difference is Chevrolet vs Nissan and does not have anything to do with the oil. But I'm suspect. Apparently others are wondering too. I plan to keep this car a long time and don't want it sounding like a very large sewing machine if I can help it.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
How Likely Are These Five 2027 Corvette Rumors to Be True?
Brett Foote
9 Best Corvettes You Can Buy for Half Price (& 1 You Should NEVER Buy!)
Joe Kucinski
8 Very Best Corvettes of Amelia Island 2026
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 WORST Corvette Engineering Failures of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
10 Records the C8 Corvette Generation Has SMASHED (& 1 Glaring Failure)
Joe Kucinski
7 Wildest Corvette Concepts Ever Made
Brett Foote
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
From: Mobil Product Information <mobilproducts@ourdataworks.com> Date: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 7:56 am Subject: (no subject) > The 5W30 and 10W30 motor oil do not have the same pour point. The
> 5W30
> motor oil is lighter so it can be pumped easier through the engine
> at
> start-up which will decrease engine wear.
>
In my book the 5W30 has a 5 degree edge on the 10W30 motor oil when it comes to pour point. The pumpability of the 5W30 motor oil would also be easier especially at start-up.
There you have it. Essentially, there is no advantage to using 10W-30 Mobil 1 over 5W-30 Mobile 1. If you want more protection and expect to keep your C5 until the odo hits 500,000 miles, then switch to European Castrol 0W-30 or Mobil 1 0W-40 oil.
> 5W30
> motor oil is lighter so it can be pumped easier through the engine
> at
> start-up which will decrease engine wear.
>
In my book the 5W30 has a 5 degree edge on the 10W30 motor oil when it comes to pour point. The pumpability of the 5W30 motor oil would also be easier especially at start-up.
There you have it. Essentially, there is no advantage to using 10W-30 Mobil 1 over 5W-30 Mobile 1. If you want more protection and expect to keep your C5 until the odo hits 500,000 miles, then switch to European Castrol 0W-30 or Mobil 1 0W-40 oil.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 10
From: Monticello MN
The question I have is, if all the above is true, why do tuners recommend heavier weights following heads and cams installs, etc. For example my tuner pit in 10W-40 Redline and Lingenfelter recommends 15W-50 for his modded engines. I'm currently running 10W-30 Mobil 1. Questioning minds would like to know. Thanks!
Ed
Ed
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Keep in mind that engines built for racing purposes need protection from temperatures that are well above those seen my even aggressive driving on the street and occasional track use. Engine longevity in tens of years and hundreds of thousands of miles is not a concern for those trying to prevent heat-related damage during prolonged high RPM track use. Regarding Mobil 1 0W-40: Porsche specifies this as factory fill in its Boxster and possibly most of its other models of sportscars. No, they are not 600 HP monsters, but then again, neither are most of our C5s.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: up north AZ
My 2 cents
besides the C5, we have a 04 silverado, 5.3, has 33k mi on it, always used syn 5w -30, lately on start up hear lifter/ piston slap ( no idea which) any how, last oil change put in 10w -30 syn, total slience!
you can use what you like, I'll stick with 10w -30.
I use 10w-30 in C5 too ! and have for last couple yrs, beside, its warm here, (AZ)
you can use what you like, I'll stick with 10w -30.
I use 10w-30 in C5 too ! and have for last couple yrs, beside, its warm here, (AZ)
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
I noticed that oil filter can make a big difference when it comes to piston slap. K&Ns have very little pressure drop and calm down the slaps; and I use 5W-30 which, by the way, flows better than 10W-30 at startup temps, slowing down engine wear.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,298
Likes: 4
From: American Canyon Lethal Injection
Originally Posted by Dave68
I noticed that oil filter can make a big difference when it comes to piston slap. K&Ns have very little pressure drop and calm down the slaps; and I use 5W-30 which, by the way, flows better than 10W-30 at startup temps, slowing down engine wear.
K&N PH 1007 and Castrol 5W-30..runs fine
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,738
Likes: 4,587
Originally Posted by PGann
Probably been addressed alot, but search not working and I'm new here.
Pros / Cons / Opinions about 5w-30 vs 10w-30 in the C5. My understanding is that there shouldn't be any difference except at "start-up", meaning the 5w gives better start-up lubrication... then
after reaching operating temp, there is virtually no difference.
Agree or Disagree?
I know 5w is what GM recommends and the 5w Mobil 1 cites the GM spec for this car, but the 10w Mobile 1 does not. But, the service manual indicates 10w "can" be used as long as the lower temperature
criteria is not exceeded during the period of use. (I live down south)
Thanks
Pros / Cons / Opinions about 5w-30 vs 10w-30 in the C5. My understanding is that there shouldn't be any difference except at "start-up", meaning the 5w gives better start-up lubrication... then
after reaching operating temp, there is virtually no difference.
Agree or Disagree?
I know 5w is what GM recommends and the 5w Mobil 1 cites the GM spec for this car, but the 10w Mobile 1 does not. But, the service manual indicates 10w "can" be used as long as the lower temperature
criteria is not exceeded during the period of use. (I live down south)
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,882
Likes: 1,816
From: Hot Springs AR
Originally Posted by grinder11
. A 5w 30 oil will have no greater protection than a 10 w 30 or a 15w 30 at 210 degrees F.
I know the above is true for non-synthetic oils. I assume the same is true for the synthetics, although their additive packages may be more robust.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,738
Likes: 4,587
Originally Posted by VetteDrmr
Umm, sort of. When the oil is fresh your statement is true. However, as the oil "wears" the additive packages start breaking down, which is what gives a low base number (e.g. 5w, 10w, 15w) the high temperature characteristics (e.g. -30, -40, -50). The larger the split between the low and high viscosity numbers, the more the additive packages break down during use.
I know the above is true for non-synthetic oils. I assume the same is true for the synthetics, although their additive packages may be more robust.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
I know the above is true for non-synthetic oils. I assume the same is true for the synthetics, although their additive packages may be more robust.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
Likes: 37
From: King George VA
Originally Posted by VetteDrmr
Umm, sort of. When the oil is fresh your statement is true. However, as the oil "wears" the additive packages start breaking down, which is what gives a low base number (e.g. 5w, 10w, 15w) the high temperature characteristics (e.g. -30, -40, -50). The larger the split between the low and high viscosity numbers, the more the additive packages break down during use.
I know the above is true for non-synthetic oils. I assume the same is true for the synthetics, although their additive packages may be more robust.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
I know the above is true for non-synthetic oils. I assume the same is true for the synthetics, although their additive packages may be more robust.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
You are talking about viscosity improvers. Viscosity Improvers are viscous chemical compounds called polymers or polymeric compounds that decrease the rate at which oils change viscosity with temperature. These viscosity modifiers extend a motor oil’s operating temperature range and make multigrade or all-season oils possible. The VI is measured by comparing the viscosity of the oil at 40°C (104°F) with its viscosity at 100°C (212°F). VI can provide insight into an oil’s ability to perform at high and low temperatures. Petroleum-based motor oils require the use of viscosity improvers to meet the low temperature requirements of SAE 0W, 5W or 10W and the high temperature requirements of SAE 30 or heavier oil. Synthetic-based motor oils have a naturally high viscosity index and require less viscosity improver additive than petroleum oils.