Spring is coming up, and I'm planning on changing the oil in my 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo from its winter 15W 40 weight to its summer 20W 50 weight. However, tody I saw the 2009 Porsche recommended oil list where Porsche now recommends synthetic 0w 40 for all it's cars, dating back to 1984. 0W 40 sure seems awful light for my engine, especially since it was designed for a heavy-weight oil. Car has 83,000 miles and does not leak. What do you guys recommend?
0W 40 or 20W 50 for a 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo
- Thread starter armydray13
- Start date
- Status
I think the 0w40 would work fine. Although I would probably use the Rotella 5w40 in it instead since its cheaper than most 0w40 formulas and has a good track record in other turbo cars like Subarus and turbo diesels.
0W-40 will most likely be just fine for your Porshe - but I understand your reservation.
A slighty heavier duty 40-weight oil would be a 5W-40 HDEO synthetic. There are lots to choose from......
Another good option, if you like using 50-weight, would be a 15W-50 synthetic, like M1 or Amsoil RD-50.
A slighty heavier duty 40-weight oil would be a 5W-40 HDEO synthetic. There are lots to choose from......
Another good option, if you like using 50-weight, would be a 15W-50 synthetic, like M1 or Amsoil RD-50.
A 0-40 is a full synthetic, and that helps with extreme temperatures, and shearing to a thinner viscosity..
14-40 and 20-50 are dinos.
Porsche could not recommend an oil that did not exist when the car was made.
14-40 and 20-50 are dinos.
Porsche could not recommend an oil that did not exist when the car was made.
Wow, thanks for the responses. I just wasn't sure if a 40 weight synthetic would provide the layer of protection in hot weather that a 50 weight dino would. I've heard a lot of early wear problems with those motors from guys who run thinner weight oils.
Porsche seems to be in love with 0W-40. Let's face it, they know more about proper lubrication than everyone on this website put together.
Some conspiracy theorists will have you believe that Porsche only endorses Mobil 1 0w-40 for the corporate kickback. Porsche probably has the greatest integrity in the automotive world. So the odds of that being true are about the same as being stuck by lightning 5 days in a row.
Some conspiracy theorists will have you believe that Porsche only endorses Mobil 1 0w-40 for the corporate kickback. Porsche probably has the greatest integrity in the automotive world. So the odds of that being true are about the same as being stuck by lightning 5 days in a row.
Arizona is hot all day during summer months, I would use Redline 0-5W40 in the 944 Turbo.
Red Line 5W-40 gets my vote and I'd use that oil in all seasons.
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2002
- Messages
- 39,798
I think Doug Hillary only uses the 0w-40 in his high end Euro's that spec it at the time of manufacture. Otherwise he defaults to 5w-40 in the Delvac 1 flavor.
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2006
- Messages
- 29,558
I`d go with either a 15W50 or a 20W50. Check your fsm as well and see what it lists.
you really need to ponder how hot you get the oil, how do you drive this car? how many miles does it drive at a time?
M1 0w-40 would not be a bad place to start
if you take it to a race track mainly and run it for extended periods, maybe try the M1 15w-50 or go with the 20w-50 you trust and already use....
you could be at a point that even the 0w-40 is overkill depending on how the engine is run.....
M1 0w-40 would not be a bad place to start
if you take it to a race track mainly and run it for extended periods, maybe try the M1 15w-50 or go with the 20w-50 you trust and already use....
you could be at a point that even the 0w-40 is overkill depending on how the engine is run.....
Nice car, those 944 Turbos are pretty rare these days to see one on the road. If you were closer I still have some red cap 15w50 M1 that you could have.
Last edited by a moderator:
M1 0W-40 is the spec' oil for Porsche's 550 hp GT2 turbo.
I think it is all need in your 250 HP 944 turbo.
If you don't track your car or cruise at 120 mph plus for hours on end your don't require anything heavier.
I think it is all need in your 250 HP 944 turbo.
If you don't track your car or cruise at 120 mph plus for hours on end your don't require anything heavier.
Shell Rotella 5w40 synthetic or Rotella 15w40 conventional.
A lot cheaper than M1 0w40 (which is not available in money-saving jugs) and would do great in your application.
A lot cheaper than M1 0w40 (which is not available in money-saving jugs) and would do great in your application.
Well many of the failures and premature wear with our flat tappet motors have been running a light weight synthetic 5w/40 or worse, 0w/40 M1 type of oil, so use it at your own risk.
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2006
- Messages
- 29,558
How about a good racing oil........Valvoline VR1 20W50 or Pennzoil GT 25W50.
I'd go with M1 15W-50 over the 0W-40. But either'd work well. I'd also consider Pennzoil Platinum 5W-50 if you can find it.
We ran M1 15w50 on our 944 for a long time with no issues. Ours was N/A but it seemed to like it.
15w-40 HD all the way.
- Status
