Oil CompanyÆs recommendations Vs Car manufactureÆs recommendation.

[OlsenVZ]

Hey everyone

I’m new to the forum (1st post) there’s a lot of interesting threads in here.

I’d like some technical advice to answer my curious on oil recommendations. The vehicle manufacture recommends to use a 5/10w-30 (SL GF-3) grade oil however a local oil manufacture recommends to use a 5w-40 grade. I also spoke to their local rep and he advised to use their 10w-50 grade. The company also makes a full synthetic range and the one that was recommended was a 0w-50.

So what I would like to know is their any benefits in going to a ‘lower’ start up grade and then going to a ‘higher’ operating grade. I live in a climate which ranges from around 15 degrees C (59F) to 35 degrees C (95F).

I’m solely buying the oil for engine protection not cost or extended drainage intervals.

Motor: 3.6l V6 (referred to as ‘Alloytec’)
In America I believe it’s in the Cadillac CTS

Any feedback or advice would be appreciated.

 

[evelrod]

I build engines and have used a variety of lubricants, each for a specific duty and I understand the difference. I have a great many years of experience and, pretty much, know what I am about...<I hear PatP laughing in the background>
However, for the regular (I hate the term "average") consumer, I would suggest that you follow the OEM's recommendations.
I don't believe I have ever seen an engine failure due to following the engine mfgrs. recommendations.

Having said that...Using a 0w-xx or a 5w-xx synthetic most likely will not harm your engine, indeed you may (or may not) gain some advantage in longevity or fuel mileage or, whatever. I just don't like the idea of 'experimenting' without sufficient knowledge on the subject. Why take the chance? In you climatic range, the OEM's 5w-20 to 5w-30 will work just fine. Point of fact, the wife's Lincoln V-6 has >150,000 miles with the OEM's recommended service intervals and lubricants (5w-20 Motorcraft synthetic blend). I'm not crazy about the brand, but I'm also too lazy to work on her car. ;-)

Rod

 

[rmw]

The automotive OEM's are under certain constraints to meet fleet wide fuel standards and one way they achieve this is to use low vis motor oils. The lower the vis, the less power it takes to pump the oil around the engine on a continuous basis. The high side of the multi vis is just to protect from high temp situations but the multi vis oils break down over time and revert back to the lowest vis in the base oil if not changed or additives added regularly.

Pick your vis ranges based on your ambients. If you don't mind sacrificing some fuel mileage, use a higher bottom number. I'm seriously considering stepping what I use up a notch because my engine is old and tired.

rmw

 

[OlsenVZ]

Thanks for the reply guys... ill probably just stick to getting a decent 10w-30 grade. Just out of interest, they also make a 10w-70 (synthetic) how would that perform compared to a 10W-30 grade? I realise there far more to oil than just the viscosity.

Forgot to mention, the car does get taken to the drags on a monthly basis and is driven in hilly area occasionally as well. Would this change anything?

Cheers.

 

[drwebb]

The oil guy warrents the oil and the OEM guy warrants the engine. If you are enamored of a 0W-50 or 10W-70 wouldn't it make more sense to shop for a vehicle designed to run on that grade?

 

[OlsenVZ]

yea thats true, sorry about that.

Thanks for all your replys.