Could anyone explain this oil change in weight summer winter?
(2011-02-28 15:20:43) 1. Says: I always was under the assumption that a 5x30 weight regular oil base meant 30 was the thickest the oil could get under the engine hot condition and the 5 was the thinnest under the cold condition.yet they recommend to use 5x30 summer and 10x30 winter ,why not use 10x 30 all the year around summer and winter if the 30 remains the thickest when hot ?2. Says: Why not mention the year make and model of car you're comparing oil viscosity's. *Always use the oil viscosity recommended by the manufacturer of the vehicle according to their ambient temperature chart.
* Never use a higher viscosity oil in the winter (10W-30) as it would take the oil pump longer to force a smaller volume of oil to frictional surfaces. People tend to forget 80% of all engine wear happens during cold starts. The smaller the first number of any motor oil the quicker the oil pump pressurizes a higher capacity of oil to moving parts of the engine.
The lower the viscosity of the motor oil the better the fuel economy as the oil pump doesn't work as hard.
My Pontiac Grand Prix with a 3800 motor calls for 10W-30 when the outside temperature is above 32 degrees. When the expected temperature is below 32 the book says to use either 0W-30 or 5W-30. New Toyotas call for 0W-20 year round! Fords have called for 5W-20 for the past 10 years year round.
Keep in mind the majority (80%) of engine wear is done during start-up in any weather.3. Says: The oil weights are the viscosity of the oil, the first number is the viscosity of oil at a cold temp and the second number is the oil viscosity and a warm temp. Typically during the summer the norm is to use 10w-30 because of the oil is thicker and better for hotter temps. (especially for older cars) 5w-30 is better during the winter because the oil is thinner than 10w-30 in colder temps it allows easier starting.it all depends on the type of car you drive. For example your average newer car will usually require 5w-30 but even some car like your new fords 5w-20 because the clearances between parts are smaller than in older cars.4. Says: Unless u live in the artic circle don't worry about changing what oil u use for seasons find what works best if it is a new engine I would go with 5 30 if it is a older engine go with 10 30 every shop I have ever worked with uses the same oil weight year round also if u have a high performance engine for lamons or something like that then u should change what oil u use for seasons but the tolernces in a stock engine just r not that small to worry about it5. Says: you should use a heavier weight in hot weather and a lighter weight in winter. all you have to do is use 10w30 all year long, i do. the first number is when the engine is cold, the w stands for winter and the last number is the weight of the oil when the engine is hot.6. Says: I'm puzzled too. It is common for the manufacturer to reverse those recommendations so 5W-30 is used in winter and 10W-30 can be used in summer. I'm curious as to make, model, and year. Tag: Could anyone explain this oil change in weight summer winter?