Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance Recommend Oil

Mobil 1 5-30 the only way to go.

All 3 have the same weight at operating temps.
None would protect any better than the other with the lower "initial" weight multi-grades even flowing a little better at startup.

Whats the deal with the new super synthetic?
There is N/P with changing from mobil 1 full synthetic to the new stuff because i already did and haven't had a problem

True, but if you are gonna stretch your oil over a few more miles, my money is on the lower spread oil to keep its rated warm viscosity the longest. Thats why i don't use 5W30, even in Canada. Might consider it in winter, but not in summer.

There is some concern that a wider range of viscosities results in an oil that is more viscosity improver (VI) and less "oil"

VI doesn't lubricate the engine, it simply allows the oils viscosity to change as temperatures change.

So, one could make a good argument for a 10W30 in the summer and a 5W30 in the winter. So at least with conventional (non-synthetic) oils, you get more lube and less VI with the 10W30, than with the 5W30 oil, as there is more viscosity spread in the 5W30 lube.

I was pondering, what issues, if any, there would be with a SJ or SL rated straight 30 oil in the summer time. (I'm not talking about 30ND that was used by my grandfather, either.) You still have the additives that protect against acids and what not, but don't get the VI stuff. A bit more lube in your crankcase.

Anyone want to comment on this?

TB

One of the nice things about Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic 5W-30 (dunno about the new SuperSyn) is that it doesn't use any VI to achieve the 5W-30, at least from what I've read. So, I doubt the viscosity spread in that case is much of a concern. When considering an oil with VI, you want to choose the lowest spread possible to minimize the VI in there, as has been noted.

For Derek D., I say use the Mobil 1 5W-30. It's what I put in mom's 01 ZX3 (screw that 5W-20 stuff). However, if you ask 10 people around here, you are probably going to get 10 different answers, so don't expect anything definitive. Just like if you were to ask what car polish/wax to use ... :rolleyes:

Castrol Syntec 5W-30

Valvoline SynPower 5w-30

Syntec is not a true synthetic (waste of money)
It has extremely high amounts of ash content (becomes acidic)
Has "active particles" that seek out and wrap contaminents. (read - more crap floating in your oil that shouldn't be there & making the contaminents in your oil Bigger!)

I'm surprised by the fact that Castrol makes a very good conventional oil and then makes junk for a pseudo synthetic... What were they thinking!!! :rolleyes:

I am currently using Redline Synthetic oil. Some say that I wasted $50, but I don't think so. I am in the devil's land, here in Phoenix and it gets f'n hot. It is supposed to be the best oil made, bar none. I hear that Amsoil and Royal Purple have products that come close. The better oils have longer change intervals. I heard someone say that you can run Redline for 50k miles... I would't try it, but I will go over 5k. The oil debate might as well be Theology... Some people swear by Valvoline, but I wouldn't lube my lawn mower with it.