How low can the temperature go and still safely use 10W synthetic? Does a 10W synthetic flow more easily when it's cold than a 10W dino? I have some Mobil 1 10w30 that I'm trying to use up and I'm wondering if it'll be ok to use this winter (it rarely gets below zero here but it does get into the single digits near zero for several weeks each winter)
5W vs. 10W IN WINTER
- Thread starter MADMIKE
- Start date
- Status
Almost certainly.
But, a 5W dino probably flows better than the 10W synthetic. If the synthetic flowed better, they'd call it a 5W instead.
Is a 10W synthetic ok for winter use in temps close to zero?
Triple_Se7en
$50 Site Donor 2024
I feel safe here in Michigan with a 10w30... not 40-weight. The Detroit area is parallel to Boston Mass.
A safer option is to use 10W in the April-November period... then 5W from November to April.
A safer option is to use 10W in the April-November period... then 5W from November to April.
10W-30 Is good to zero degrees (f)
Mobil 1 5w30 has a pour point of -65F, Mobil 1 10w30 has a pour point of -49F. Assuming that the "safe" use temps are roughly 15F above the pour point it looks like you would be OK with 10w30 down to maybe -30F. 5w30 would be better in the winter.
Thanks Ugly3! I'll go ahead and use up my 10w30 through the winter--those pour points you provided make me feel better with a wide margin of safety as I only expect to see 0 degrees at the coldest and that's actually quite rare.
Correct BUT remember that there is a wide CCS range and a bad 5w can be about the same as a GOOD 10w regardless of syn or not. Now the syn will not need a PPD and will HOLD that low pour point as it ages, A dino will "wear" out he PPD and also using the wrong type will have a loss of perfromance over time and may raise the W grade 1 or 2 grades over time the syn no change.
bruce
SAE viscosity charts recommend 10w/ is good for 0 degrees f.
If the oil is a PAO or higher based lube then the lower number means little. The tests the chemistry are submitted to and the marketing target for that lube is the reason for the winter grade reading in MOST true syn PCMOS or HDD oils.
Most straight grade syns will pump and pour as well as any 5w conventional.
Most primarily Grp III based oils will pump/pour in the coldest operating conditions too.
Most straight grade syns will pump and pour as well as any 5w conventional.
Most primarily Grp III based oils will pump/pour in the coldest operating conditions too.
TERRY--It's Mobil 1 10w30 EP so it should flow really well based on your comments. I'm amazed that a straight 30 weight syn (if one existed)would flow as well as a 5W dino in cold temps!!
Shell Canada's conventional 10w30 is listed as pumpable down to -36 C (-33F) , their 10w40 down to -33.8 (-29F). Their 5w30 conventional oil has a pour point of -42C.
5w30 will give better fuel economy in winter, than 10w30, especially if you do lots of short trips where the engine cools off in between.
5w30 will give better fuel economy in winter, than 10w30, especially if you do lots of short trips where the engine cools off in between.
5-30 is thinner than 10-30.
Use 5-30 for winter.
Yes, it will start with 10-30 [and 10-40, etc..].
Go with your best shot.
Use 5-30 for winter.
Yes, it will start with 10-30 [and 10-40, etc..].
Go with your best shot.
Sounds like we're back to the
"Are Mobil 1 0w30 and 5w30 actually identical?"
kind of thought from toward the end of this thread:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=011903;p=1#000007
in which it seemed that it was not the case.
"Are Mobil 1 0w30 and 5w30 actually identical?"
kind of thought from toward the end of this thread:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=011903;p=1#000007
in which it seemed that it was not the case.
Has anyone mentioned that the SM version of Mobil 1 10w30 is actually thinner than its conterpart of 5w30 not by far but it makes a difference.
I saw the spec sheets.
Check it out:
10w30: http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil_1_10w-30.asp
5w30: http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil1_5w30.asp
I saw the spec sheets.
Check it out:
10w30: http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil_1_10w-30.asp
5w30: http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil1_5w30.asp
- Status
Similar threads
