Mobil1

[Alexlind123]

I bought 7 quarts of Mobil1 5-w30. Now i find out that its only for -40 to 25 degrees ferenheight. The coldest it generally gets around here in the winter is about 20f.

Do i go back and exchange it for another type? Which weight?

[trumpetr]

I bought 7 quarts of Mobil1 5-w30. Now i find out that its only for -40 to 25 degrees ferenheight. The coldest it generally gets around here in the winter is about 20f.

Do i go back and exchange it for another type? Which weight?

You sure that shouldnt mean centigrade instead of F? -40f, is Barrow, Alaska,,,,in the summer.

[Alexlind123]

-40 is the same in centigrade and farenheight.

[CharlesAFerg]

rofl. :p

[Paul in NZ]

-40 farenheight is about 70 below freezing 25 farenheight is still below freezing
i think they are centigrade temps...whatever the 5w will give you good protection at statup cos it wil be quick to pump...the 30 weight is still good,maybe get a 40 w next time

[Alexlind123]

According to the manual, it is 24farenheight, but maybe synthetic oil is different. Does this mean i dont have to take it back to exchange for a different type? I dont see why any store around here would even sell it if it wer eonly suitable for such incredibly low temperatures.

[Jehu]

I put that in recently as i live in the Northeast US. The temps didn't fall as fast as i anticipated and i ended up burning off a quart. I hadn't added any oil in the previous three months since buying the car so its pretty thin stuff .

[BillionPa]

i would actually exchange it for 5W40 synthetic (Turbo Diesel Truck formulation) as that provides significantly higher anti-wear additives and a weight of M1 thats a bit more friendly to your engine when you push it hard.

it has a higher "cold" viscosity than 5W30 which should result in more stable idle as well.

[trumpetr]

-40 is the same in centigrade and farenheight.

Ah,,,no, grasshopper, it is not.

[BillionPa]

... actually -40C is EXACTLY the same value in farenheight, that is the numerical balance point, every 5C difference from that point = 9F difference.

-40 + 60C (12x5) = -40 + 108F (12x9), which translates to 20C = 68F (room temp)

[trumpetr]

... actually -40C is EXACTLY the same value in farenheight, that is the numerical balance point, every 5C difference from that point = 9F difference.

-40 + 60C (12x5) = -40 + 108F (12x9), which translates to 20C = 68F (room temp)

I stand corrected, you are right.

[colo525i]

I just did my oil filter stand and oil pressure switch gaskets,and changed the oil over to rotella synthetic 5w-40. I figure its still heavy enough for everything but summer, but will be kinder on then engine when it starts to stay below freezing more often. I have had good luck with truck formula oils in older cars. I just hope my car has finally stopped leaking oil!

[Alexlind123]

I have been thinking, what difference does ambient air temperature have on the oil weight you use? Once the engine is heated up, it is always around the exact same temperature.

[colo525i]

Not 100% sure on this, but the oil would probably be hotter in hot temps (say 35c/95f) than if it were in cooler temps, as it would stay warmer in the sump. No other genius ideas, but I have noticed lighter grades would burn off in hot temps where say 20-50 wouldn't

[632 Regal]

that oil is fine year round where you live, 0w-40 is a better choice if they have it and you can exchange otherwise I wouldnt worry about it.

[Alexlind123]

that oil is fine year round where you live, 0w-40 is a better choice if they have it and you can exchange otherwise I wouldnt worry about it.

They didnt have 0w-40, they did have 15w-50 and 0w-30 though. I will put the 5w-30 in tomorrow when the engine is nice and hot.

Thanks for the help everyone!