Why 10W-30 weight oil?

[paranoidTSi]

I was just wondering about this question off the top of my head, because when I go to get oil changes generally they claim the shop manual calls for 5W-30 motor oil...why is that? This is from TWO shops.

 

[Defiant]

Hardly anything stirs up more ruffling than oil talk. It's worse than talking about god (or, God).

My '69 Datsun 2000 has over a quarter-million miles on it, the current engine has 140K on it with one ring-and-valve job 50K ago. Most of it has been on conventional oil. The car wasn't so much driven as drop-kicked.

My '84 200SX Turbo has over 170K on it, and was parked because of a leaking heater and a stripped manifold stud.

The '94 Talon AWD is at 130K, all conventional.

Synthetics _are_ superior oils, though not proportional to how much more they cost. But how much more "longevity" is even possible?



Oh, and then there was the Dodge work van from the vending company. 120,000 miles. WE NEVER CHANGED ITS OIL.

 

[jbillakdsm]

I'd like to see one of these oil vendors come to the Shootout and show us how much better their full synthetic oil performs in a 4g63 vs. semi-synthetic and conventional. If anyone on here is in a position of power to make this happen, remember me and throw a sponsorship my way.

 

[RiceKiller_TSi]

Synths are great, but I think they are "definitely" over hyped. You almost have to put that stuff on lay-a-way its so expensive. I've tried them before and they really didnt seem to make a whole lot of different in performance. One thing I can tell you guys is that when my car reaches around 2800 since the last oil change... performance drops off "noticeably". By the time it hits 3000 it really feels like its struggling for output. As soon as the oil change is done it feels like I've had rebuild or something.

 

[BUCK]

Frankly I'm just too lazy to change Dino Oil every 3000 Miles - & the Filter change is a mess - Oil running down the Crossbar - TOTAL PITA - And for those guys running Water to Oil Coolers they take there Engine in their hands every time they TOUCH the Oil Filter - it's a freakin' TIME BOMB!

 

[doug]

Originally posted by RiceKiller_TSi
Synths are great, but I think they are "definitely" over hyped. You almost have to put that stuff on lay-a-way its so expensive.

But that is offset by the fact that you can go longer between changes.

 

[RiceKiller_TSi]

Originally posted by doug
But that is offset by the fact that you can go longer between changes.

That may be true. But I've read posts by lots of Tuners members who state that they change their synth at 2500-3000 which defeats the purpose. I think I'll do a full synth at my next interval and see if I can notice any difference past 3000 miles. The conventional I oil is usually done by then and I can definitely feel performance drop off under boost.

 

[doug]

Originally posted by RiceKiller_TSi
I've read posts by lots of Tuners members who state that they change their synth at 2500-3000 which defeats the purpose.

Exactly-- I usually go 6-7K. One important point is to use a good filter, such as a PureOne.

 

[RiceKiller_TSi]

Originally posted by doug
Exactly-- I usually go 6-7K. One important point is to use a good filter, such as a PureOne.

Im going to play with the synth on my next change to see if longevity validates cost "IMO". I will definitely know how its doing in my machine around 3000 miles for sure. If it looks like Dr Pepper at my 3000 mile check I'll probably go back to conventional.

 

[BUCK]

Anyone using the Water to Oil Cooler should use ONLY the Stock Mitsu Filter IMO - the gasket cross section is different than 90 percent of the other Filters out there.