Auto manufacturers viscosity recommendations?

[Big Jim]

Originally Posted By: ron in sc
Quote:
What are you trying to do here? Are you willing to void your warranty based on a the unproven theory your engine is better off with a thicker oil? Many people are, especially around here, but you'd have to provide more details of the situation before you could win me over


As far as this warranty business goes using an oil that in not recommended by a manufacturer will not void the warranty. There is a difference between a recommendation and a requirement. The burden is on the manufacturers to prove that the use of the specific oil that was used caused the problem that the auto owner is claiming.


You are nuts. It doesn't work that way. using the wrong oil and having an engine fail can lead to a denial of warranty coverage for that event. I've been on the delivery end of that message more than once. Why even put yourself in that position? Just use the factory specified oil until it is out of warranty or put yourself at risk. Not a hard decision for me.

 

[Big Jim]

Originally Posted By: jldcol
I think the primary auto manufacturers concern with oil recommendations is to help insure that the engine makes it thru the warranty period, and thus saves them money. Lately the government has pressured things like emissions systems and mileage concerns on top of that. Generally a gasoline engine needs a working 30wt. to last the warranty period, and a 40wt. perhaps for diesels. The cold numbers needed depend on your climate, so will differ more. The warranty and its satisfaction will limit you a lot, afterwards it seems you allready have favorite with some past experience. I will say the stuff from 92 may not be the same stuff now.


This is nuts too. If it were true, there would be a huge percentage of cars with failed engines just outside of warranty and it just isn't true.

 

[jldcol]

I am glad it is just what I wrote that is nuts, as opposed to myself being nuts ala the other person. I think there are some 100k warrantys out there and metals/engineering is similar enough across the board to expect them all to do as well. This is when I expect real wear to start at about 100k miles, and then depending on various factors they will last 150k up 200-300k miles. Some can get more but not typical, and even then engine not the same as the pre-wear era, starts to consume oil, has less power, and less mpg's. If the oil is to good(slippery) engine won't breakin, which is primarily rings seating(wearing), and if oil allows this wear other parts will wear also, so oil must allow some wear in the warranty period for best overall function. I think factory fill and follow up oil changes thus allow some/more wear than could otherwise occur, example you could seat rings mechanically and spare other parts but time/labor expensive.

 

[chestermo]

ron in sc,

I hear you regarding the confusing viscosity recommendations in your manual. The manual for my S60 states to use 5w30 up to 86 degrees F. Above 86 use 10W30. This makes no sense because both of these grades are the same viscosity range at operating temp right? I decided to use that "thin" GC 0W30. Of course I don't have warranty considerations at 86K miles.

 

[ZZman]

Stick with the owners manual. No need to go thicker as you should not run into high heat or stress issues with your new car (I assume). Plus the tolerances will be tight with a new car so you want a nice flowing oil.

The 5w-30 is a good balance between extremes.

 

[FZ1]

Colored,schmolered. If you want a thicker oil,get a thicker oil,just stay in grade. I went from 5-20 M1 to 5-20 M1 EP and then PP 5-20. 5-20 EP and PP are thicker oils than M1 but are still in oem recomended 5-20 grade.

 

[Big Jim]

Originally Posted By: jldcol
I am glad it is just what I wrote that is nuts, as opposed to myself being nuts ala the other person. I think there are some 100k warrantys out there and metals/engineering is similar enough across the board to expect them all to do as well. This is when I expect real wear to start at about 100k miles, and then depending on various factors they will last 150k up 200-300k miles. Some can get more but not typical, and even then engine not the same as the pre-wear era, starts to consume oil, has less power, and less mpg's. If the oil is to good(slippery) engine won't breakin, which is primarily rings seating(wearing), and if oil allows this wear other parts will wear also, so oil must allow some wear in the warranty period for best overall function. I think factory fill and follow up oil changes thus allow some/more wear than could otherwise occur, example you could seat rings mechanically and spare other parts but time/labor expensive.


That bit about the engine not breaking in if the oil is too slippery is an old wives tale too.