Best grade oil for winter...

[mEtH]

Alright, I need to go get my 48k done shortly and am wondering if it would be better to run 5w20 or 5w30 for the winter. I know with 5w30 it would take longer for the car to warm up etc. but does 5w20 offer the protection for the cold starts?

any tips or opinions please. Thanks.

*EDIT*
Should mention im running synthetic

[sbmonkey]

I don't think there is any conclusive evidence that 5w20 (or even 0w20) offers less protection, especially the synthetics. I'm gonna go with 5w or 0w (if I can find it) when I get my oil changed here soon.

[Skarbro]

5w20 all year round for me.

[mEtH]

Yah I have been running 0w20/5w20 mobil 1 but seeing how some people are running 5w30 and how Dave wood uses 5w30 Motul synthetic, I thought I would look into it, to see if there might be an advantage for winter. Not to mention for the wallet ;)

[MajesticBlueNTO]

Alright, I need to go get my 48k done shortly and am wondering if it would be better to run 5w20 or 5w30 for the winter. I know with 5w30 it would take longer for the car to warm up etc. but does 5w20 offer the protection for the cold starts?

any tips or opinions please. Thanks.

*EDIT*
Should mention im running synthetic


5w20 and 5w30 are both the same approx. weight/viscosity (5) in winter temps.

oddly enough, Mobil1 Synthetic 5w30 has a lower pour point (-54C) (http://www.mobil1.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil1_5W-30.asp) than 5w20 (-47C) (http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil_1_5W-20.asp)....which we rarely experience in the GTA (although I have in Regina and it ain't fun).

how does the car take longer to warm up with 5w30 oil?

[sbmonkey]

how does the car take longer to warm up with 5w30 oil?
Butt dyno. lol

[mEtH]

Hey dont hate on me now :D I dont know much about the oils. I could of sworn I read that some where around here ::)

Well I understand that 5w20 has less film and shear strength than a 5w30 which can lead to greater engine wear in the heat. I am just wondering if the same goes for winter or whether the 5w20 would be better to run. Does the lighter viscosity of the 5w20 do anything better other then meet the CAFE. I have read that a 5w30 actually toned down the cabin vibration for some people as well, which lead me to believe it was thicker, but a thicker pour realtes to the first number I understand.

[sbmonkey]

No hate. ;) I'm not gonna pretend to be a know-it-all about oils either. :D

From Wikipedia:

The API/SAE designation for multi-grade oils includes two grade numbers; for example, 10W-30 designates a common multi-grade oil. The first number associated with the W is not rated at any single temperature. The "10W" means that this oil can be pumped by your engine as cold as a single-grade 10 weight oil can be pumped. "5W" can be pumped at a lower temperature than "10W". "0W" can be pumped at a lower temperature than "5W", and thins less at temperatures above 99°C (210°F). The second number, 30, means that the viscosity of this multi-grade oil at 100°C (212°F) operating temperature corresponds to the viscosity of a single-grade 30 oil at same temperature.

After comparing specs between different synthetic and semi-syn oils, I conclude for myself that 0w20 syn and 5w20 syn will protect just as well as 5w30. 5w30 is just cheaper and I'll use it when it's warm out.

[Flagrum_3]

Alright, I need to go get my 48k done shortly and am wondering if it would be better to run 5w20 or 5w30 for the winter. I know with 5w30 it would take longer for the car to warm up etc. but does 5w20 offer the protection for the cold starts?

any tips or opinions please. Thanks.

*EDIT*
Should mention im running synthetic



Just use the Manufacturers suggested grade, aslong as its synthetic your okay for those cold morning starts.


_3


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[fourtrack78]

whatever MOT puts in when i do my oil change.

[FLIPDADY]

Whatever you think is the right oil Patrick. ;)

[MAZDA Kitten]

Does MOTUL make 5w20?

[Kevin@nextmod]

I use Motul 5W40 8100 for summer and mobil 1 5W30 for winter. It does take a bit of time to warm up the car and have heat. BUT i can live with it and its fine so far. I'd say just go for 5W30.