5w30 or 10w30.... both on the shelf

[Johnny248]

Well, as it is getting colder and colder, and closer to "put my summer car away for the winter time" I am just planning. 06 Eclipse 3.8 v6. OM calls for 5w20 normal or 10w30 +0deg C. Some may know I've been running 0w30 SS0 Amsoil oil, and this year I was going to use some 10w30 or 10w30/30 Amsoil because I am out of the SSO.

That has since changed. I took advantage of the AAP Castrol Edge/PureOne deal and now have 5qts of 5w30 as well as 5qts 10w30 Castrol Edge. So since it cost next to nothing, and I've heard that it is pretty good oil, I am going to use that when I change the oil and put it away till spring.

5w30 is not mentioned in my manual. Should I not use it, and just use the 10w30? -or- use the 5w30 because 5w20 is recommended. That will keep my 5w and give me the piece of mind of xW30 instead of xW20.

Any thoughts?

 

[Petrou]

I would use the 5-30 at first when it starts warming switch to 10-30. i know it can get cold there so thats why i say 5-30 then 10-30

 

[Johnny248]

I drive the car from say April-ish to November-ish. I never drive when it is "cold-cold". I've been changing the oil each year as I winterize the car for storage. So it basically gets a once a year oci and maybe 7-8k?

 

[jorton]

Just an opinion.

Normal service is mostly short trips for the average person, so 5w30. Or 10w30 for a cross country trip.

 

[ArtDart]

I would not worry about using 5w30 in your engine. Heck, you've been using 0w30 without problems. Castrol Edge is a long drain oil, so it looks like you have two years of oil on hand. I doubt you or your engine would be able to tell the difference in the two grades. I have about the same engine in a Mitsu Endeavor, and have used both 5w20 & 10w30, and cannot tell the difference in performance or fuel economy. I do not think much of the Mitsubishi OM when they tell you to change the timing belt at 60k, except if you are in CA, then at 105k, or something to that effect. I don't think they tell you what is the absolute best for your vehicle. I do believe they tell you what is best for Mitsubishi to tell you what is best for your vehicle. Ok, rant over, & if it were me, I would use the 5w30 first, then the 10w30. After all, with global warming, it ought to be getting warmer every year....ha.....we just had the coolest summer in 50 years !!!.....jr

 

[Johnny248]

Thanks Ringo. I was thinking I would use the 5w30 also. I'm sure the 10w30 will end up in something else before I get to use it again the following year =) They also released a service manual addition of adjusting the valve clearance at 30k on my engine. My old Mitsu rep basically said just do it at 60k when you do the timing belt. And If I ever get to 60k, that is what I will do lol Mitsu does not like to honor their 10yr/100k power train warranty if the maint schedule has not been followed. When my place was a Mitsu dealer, I've seen them question timing belt replacement on engine warranty.

 

[Johnny248]

but now after looking at VOA and UOA, it looks like the 10w30 is a stronger oil??