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motor oil type??

1K views 5 replies 5 participants last post by  Bror Jace 
#1 ·
I recently picked up 5 quarts of mobil 1 10w-30 for my 2004 spec v's first oil change at around 1800 miles. My question is this....the manual says it recommends 5w-30 but it says you can use 10w-30 if the temperature is above freezing....well it is obviously above freezing here in NY, but I just wanted to make sure it was ok to use this oil, and i guess a better question would be, which oil is better for this car, the 10w-30 that i purchased or the 5w-30 that the manual says to use.......also could someone explain the differences to me, just so I know??

thanks a lot

sf
 
#2 ·
they're both fine...the main difference is what you saw in the manual, temp differences. use 5w30 in the winter though. takes less time to warm up and get moving, i.e. it's less viscous (viscosity is the resistance to flow...the more viscous it is the less it will flow......so you want a less viscous oil in the winter!)
 
#3 ·
ok thanks! I think I got that......but from what you said, it sounds like the 5w-30 would be better period. what is the purpose of all the other types, for your normal everyday car, I know our spec-v's are by no means performance cars. Should I put in the 5w-30, or just go with the one I already have?
 
#4 ·
Used Castrol 10w-30 for over 75,000 miles on my Sentra. I use Mobil 1 5W-30 in my 99 Saturn. I noticed a slight increase in fuel economy going from 5W-30 Mobil 1 compared to 5w-30 Castrol dino oil. Don't know that there would be much difference in economy between Mobil 1 5W-30 and 10W-30. The 10W-30 may give a little more protection when it is warm, may not shear as much. (Based on what I know).
 
#6 ·
Either weight will be fine in warm weather (40F and above).

10W-30 is actually a little more stable in warm weather. Most 5W-30 dino oils will shear out of grade in 1,500 - 2,000 miles becoming (essentially) a 5W-20. All Mobil 1 weights are formulated a bit on the thin side, keep that in mind.

Come winter, I'd use the 5W-30 ... and don't go too long between changes.
 
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