0w-40 ok to use?
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
0w-40 ok to use?
Hi all, I have an 03 touring z w/ 118k~ miles. I'm almost due for an oil change this coming weekend and I've been reading the UOA thread posted here. It seems that Mobil 1 0w-40 gave the best results compared to all the others. My question is, is that since Mobil 1 is a synthetic oil and the previous owner has put conventional oil (5w-30) in it for 6 years, is it still fine to switch to synthetic? I've checked the oil change records and it seems that at one point it was on a synthetic blend.
Also, I live in Cali, in the winter temperatures can drop down to around 25f and during the summer around 110f. So would the Mobil 1 0w-40 be good for year round useage?
Thanks all!
edit: What oil are you guys using?
Also, I live in Cali, in the winter temperatures can drop down to around 25f and during the summer around 110f. So would the Mobil 1 0w-40 be good for year round useage?
Thanks all!
edit: What oil are you guys using?
Last edited by biscuitownz; 09-22-2014 at 07:35 PM.
#2
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Mobil1 0W-40 is fine to use in 25F weather, so is Mobil1 5W-30 since there is no appreciable difference at that temperature range. Now if weather could go down as low as -25F, it would be a different story.
Be aware that UOA results can be interpreted in different ways and the internet is a wonderful place to get misinformation. Switching to synthetic oil should pose no problem, but if I assumed correctly that you didn't expose your car to racing duty, the conventional oil would work just fine.
I have used Mobil1 0W-40 during last winter in which temperature went below zero quite often. I think it wouldn't make much of a difference if the oil used was 5W-30. Currently, my Z runs Mobil1 5W-30 which meets GM Dexos requirements.
Be aware that UOA results can be interpreted in different ways and the internet is a wonderful place to get misinformation. Switching to synthetic oil should pose no problem, but if I assumed correctly that you didn't expose your car to racing duty, the conventional oil would work just fine.
I have used Mobil1 0W-40 during last winter in which temperature went below zero quite often. I think it wouldn't make much of a difference if the oil used was 5W-30. Currently, my Z runs Mobil1 5W-30 which meets GM Dexos requirements.
Last edited by POS VETT; 09-23-2014 at 03:03 AM.
#3
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Read this thread if you want to truly understand it all, I did:
https://my350z.com/forum/engine-and-...-and-info.html
Mobil One 0w-40...
#4
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MY350Z.COM
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I'm another Z owner who uses Mobil 1 0-40W. It actually pours like a 30 wt oil, so it's OK to use during high temperatures. As others have said, switching to a synthetic should be no problem with your VQ.
#5
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The 2nd number means the 0w/40 oil will have the same viscosity as a straight 40 wt. oil at operating temp.
#6
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The oil, of course, does not get thicker as it's heated, although that seems to be a common misunderstanding. Ever drain your engine oil and see how it's very much thinner when it's hot (which is why you drain it hot)?
The 2nd number means the 0w/40 oil will have the same viscosity as a straight 40 wt. oil at operating temp.
The 2nd number means the 0w/40 oil will have the same viscosity as a straight 40 wt. oil at operating temp.
#7
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Thread Starter
Thank you all for the advice! Looks like I'll be picking up some 0w-40 later on this week.
Also, should I be concerned with changes in oil pressure? I always take it easy until the car fully warms up before I do any spirited driving, but because this is thicker oil should I watch out for anything?
Thanks again guys!
Also, should I be concerned with changes in oil pressure? I always take it easy until the car fully warms up before I do any spirited driving, but because this is thicker oil should I watch out for anything?
Thanks again guys!
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#8
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Thank you all for the advice! Looks like I'll be picking up some 0w-40 later on this week.
Also, should I be concerned with changes in oil pressure? I always take it easy until the car fully warms up before I do any spirited driving, but because this is thicker oil should I watch out for anything?
Thanks again guys!
Also, should I be concerned with changes in oil pressure? I always take it easy until the car fully warms up before I do any spirited driving, but because this is thicker oil should I watch out for anything?
Thanks again guys!
#10
Registered User
Thread Starter
Last question, I actually looked at the oil change records a bit more closely and noticed that it has been running on a high mileage oil for maybe 2-3 years. Is it still safe to switch over? I heard that high mileage oil swells the seals or something.
I was thinking about mixing 4 quarts 0w-40 and 1 quart HM 10w-40 oil to keep the seal conditioners if anything.
Thanks again guys
Last edited by biscuitownz; 09-23-2014 at 09:41 PM.
#11
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Last question, I actually looked at the oil change records a bit more closely and noticed that it has been running on a high mileage oil for maybe 2-3 years. Is it still safe to switch over? I heard that high mileage oil swells the seals or something.
I was thinking about mixing 4 quarts 0w-40 and 1 quart HM 10w-40 oil to keep the seal conditioners if anything.
Thanks again guys
I was thinking about mixing 4 quarts 0w-40 and 1 quart HM 10w-40 oil to keep the seal conditioners if anything.
Thanks again guys
In my personal experience I had a 1997 Eclipse. I was the original owner. When I was close to 140k miles, it began burning oil (5w-30). It was burning on average 1 quart between changes. I switched to the heavier oil. It solved the problem...
#12
Registered User
Thread Starter
The car doesn't appear to be leaking any oil. The reason why it was put on HM oil in the first place was because the previous owner had his oil changes done at jiffy loop. However if I drive a bit harder than normal I find myself having to add about 400ml every 1k miles. Should I still use the 0w-40?
I'm at the store right now. Is it the one labelled with euro car formula?
I'm at the store right now. Is it the one labelled with euro car formula?
Last edited by biscuitownz; 09-24-2014 at 11:26 AM.
#15
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Thread Starter
So I did the change yesterday and all seems well. The engine actually sounds a bit quieter and feels smoother too. Let the car sit overnight to check the oil level and it's pretty amazing how thin it feels compared to the 5w-30 that was in it.
Thanks all for your help!
Thanks all for your help!
#17
Registered User
Bold statement to make with no data presented to support it. Especially given the volume of folks running 5w-30 in not just the z but other much higher performing engines.
#18
Registered User
iTrader: (7)
bigsyke means, having an option, why would you run 5w30 vs the 0w40 that has been proven at BITOG to be the more robust oil. Your pretty much good running either, but 0w40 has better wear properties and the additives breakdown slower. Its the rec oil for the GTR because The VR38 engine has plasma-sprayed bores and was developed using this oil, but also the wear was excellent
#19
Registered User
Any oil you use today, as long as it's the recommended viscosity and changed regularly, is going to allow any engine to last well beyond any of us keep vehicles for. If you track I can understand but 98% of the people on this board don't.
#20
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Thread Starter
Some good points.Many I've not heard.
However,I'm just against going to a full synthetic with a engine with that many miles.
I've heard of(and experienced myself),problems with seals due to this change.
Its sort of a crap shoot.I'd rather be safe than sorry.
I wonder,what results are you planning to get changing to 0w40?
More power,quieter engine...?
My opinions are based on actual experience with many vehicles I've owned.
I use a synthetic blend in my Z since new.Uses no oil between 506k changes.
Perfect oil pressure(changed a oil pressure sending unit one time).
I've had vehicles run as much as 300k on synthetic blend.
However,I'm just against going to a full synthetic with a engine with that many miles.
I've heard of(and experienced myself),problems with seals due to this change.
Its sort of a crap shoot.I'd rather be safe than sorry.
I wonder,what results are you planning to get changing to 0w40?
More power,quieter engine...?
My opinions are based on actual experience with many vehicles I've owned.
I use a synthetic blend in my Z since new.Uses no oil between 506k changes.
Perfect oil pressure(changed a oil pressure sending unit one time).
I've had vehicles run as much as 300k on synthetic blend.