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Old Aug 6, 2003 | 09:27 PM
  #1  
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From: Peoples Republik of Kalifornia Ka
Default Oil Change

New guy question...What are the benifits or drawbacks of using Mobil 1 10W 30 inplace of 5W 30? Northern Calif climate if that makes any difference. Heard of others doing this but want to make sure nothing gets fouled up should this ever be done. Thanks for any advise! :skep:
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Old Aug 6, 2003 | 10:11 PM
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Default Re: Oil Change (DBRASUE)

New guy question...What are the benifits or drawbacks of using Mobil 1 10W 30 inplace of 5W 30? Northern Calif climate if that makes any difference. Heard of others doing this but want to make sure nothing gets fouled up should this ever be done. Thanks for any advise! :skep:
Considering the climate you're in there is no real advantage/disadvantage here. 10W30 is one of the choices GM recommends in the owners manual. The 5W30 may give you a very slight edge in the fuel economy or horsepower department, however if you should ever have the 10W30 installed, I doubt you would ever notice. Bottom line: Not a biggie.

Robert :)
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Old Aug 6, 2003 | 11:11 PM
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Default Re: Oil Change (LoneStarFRC)

Thanks for the advise! Very much appreciated! :cheers: :D
Mike
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Old Aug 7, 2003 | 12:37 AM
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Default Re: Oil Change (DBRASUE)

New guy question...What are the benifits or drawbacks of using Mobil 1 10W 30 inplace of 5W 30? Northern Calif climate if that makes any difference. Heard of others doing this but want to make sure nothing gets fouled up should this ever be done. Thanks for any advise! :skep:
Personal opinion but I would always use 10W 30 in your climate.
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Old Aug 7, 2003 | 07:57 AM
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Default Re: Oil Change (Richin Chicago)

:thumbs: Thanks!
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Old Aug 7, 2003 | 08:08 AM
  #6  
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Default Re: Oil Change (DBRASUE)

I switch from the 5W-30 factory oil fill to 10W-30 in all of my cars at the first oil change. I have 134,000 miles on my Oldsmobile with no problems.
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Old Aug 7, 2003 | 04:16 PM
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Default Re: Oil Change (DBRASUE)

No reason to change. 5W-30 is fine for your location. I use 0W-30 Amsoil; it provides great wear protection and it flows better at start-up when most wear occurs. :yesnod: :)
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Old Aug 8, 2003 | 06:33 AM
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Default Re: Oil Change (carpe dm)

5w30 and 10w30 will both offer virtually the same performance in warm weather, they both have the same viscosity at operating temperature.

Where the 5w30 shines is in colder weather, as it's cold cranking performance is better. So if you're driving in the winter, definitely go with the 5w30 over 10w30.

There is no reason you can't use 5w30 in the summer though, or even 0w30. Amsoil makes a great 0w30, and there is also the excellent German made Castrol Formula SLX 0w30 (sold at some Autozones under the Syntec label, and at Walmart in Canada)

I would avoid Mobil 1 0w30 though, I haven't seen too many good oil analysis results with that stuff. (actually I'm not a fan of Mobil 1 in the LS1 anyways, as I feel the LS1 needs an oil closer to 12cst at 100c, while M1 is closer to 10cst at 100c, so it's a tad on the thin side)
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Old Aug 8, 2003 | 06:53 PM
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Default Re: Oil Change (Patman)

5w30 and 10w30 will both offer virtually the same performance in warm weather, they both have the same viscosity at operating temperature.

Where the 5w30 shines is in colder weather, as it's cold cranking performance is better. So if you're driving in the winter, definitely go with the 5w30 over 10w30.

There is no reason you can't use 5w30 in the summer though, or even 0w30.
:iagree:
Independant testing by NASA states that after the oil warms up to a specific temp (approx. 160 degrees F.), 5W30 and 10W30 have the same viscosity.

Also, I would like to mention that 10W30 is not recommended by GM. The only oil recommended by GM for the Corvette is 5W30. The owners manual states:
"SAE 5W-30 As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can use SAE 10W-30 if it's going to be 0°F (-18°C) or above. These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE 20W-50."

Now, in the owner's manual, next to the thermometer, there are two double headed arrows. The first arrow states: SAE 5W30 RECOMMENDED; the second arrow states: SAE 10W30 ACCEPTABLE if 5W30 IS NOT AVAILABLE. Therefore, 5W30 is the ONLY recommended weight oil for the Vette. How do people read these statements in the owner's manual and conclude that 10W30 is also recommended?


[Modified by WhiteC5Vette, 5:59 PM 8/8/2003]
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Old Aug 8, 2003 | 07:31 PM
  #10  
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Default Re: Oil Change (WhiteC5Vette)

The owners manual states:
"SAE 5W-30 As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can use SAE 10W-30 if it's going to be 0°F (-18°C) or above. These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE 20W-50."

Now, in the owner's manual, next to the thermometer, there are two double headed arrows. The first arrow states: SAE 5W30 RECOMMENDED; the second arrow states: SAE 10W30 ACCEPTABLE if 5W30 IS NOT AVAILABLE. Therefore, 5W30 is the ONLY recommended weight oil for the Vette. How do people read these statements in the owner's manual and conclude that 10W30 is also recommended?
[Modified by WhiteC5Vette, 5:59 PM 8/8/2003]
I can't believe people make a big deal out of this.

If you aren't facing 0-degree (f) temperature, the 10w30 is acceptable. 5w-30 is preferred for all climates.

It's not worth worrying over.

10w30 has less viscosity index improver added to it, so it has ever so slightly less goo potential than 5w30.

Bottom line, snag the 5w30, or the 10w30 and you should be just fine.
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Old Aug 8, 2003 | 07:55 PM
  #11  
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Default Re: Oil Change (larrysb)

In warmer climates, I don't think it amounts to a hill of beans trying to differentiate 5w/30 and 10w/30 Mobil 1 synth if changing at/below manufacturer recommendations. My guess is that 5w flows better when cold than 10w, but cold is relative here in DFW TX as it is in Nor Cal.

It's funny that the same debates exist in the motorcycling community--Harleys, Ducatis, Aprilias, where I also spend time reading oil debates.

Some oils promote extended drain intervals and less wear, but I'm not buyin' since I've never seen anything showing that any synthetic did more to help an engine survive vs. any other. On that note, I haven't seen anything proving that synthetics help engines survive better than quality branded conventional oils. Marketing 101, but I stay with M1 in the Vette since that is what it was filled with at the factory.
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Old Aug 8, 2003 | 08:05 PM
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Default Re: Oil Change (KAH_BigRedCorvette)

On that note, I haven't seen anything proving that synthetics help engines survive better than quality branded conventional oils. Marketing 101, but I stay with M1 in the Vette since that is what it was filled with at the factory.
As an aside take a look at:
http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/s.../oil-life.html
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