Come full circle

[coffee]

Hi All,

Well, I have come around the synthetic/conventional block and need some input. My cars were always on conventional and over a year ago I switched them to synthetic and have gone through a ton of different motor oils. I have decided that conventional is probably a better option for my two cars and wanted to see if there was any input regarding a conventional 10w30 for 5-7k OCI. I presume it probably doesn't really matter and everyone will say to get whatever is on sale but I am hoping to pick a good conventional and try and stick with it. I think the 10w30 grade will work well for me here in Phoenix but I want to make sure to get a durable conventional. I would appreciate any input and thank you in advance.

P.S. I am currently using MC 5w20 and love the way it feels but am concerned it may be too thin/low a grade for my Volvos and the Phoenix climate.

 

[Johnny]

I agree 5W-20 is to thin for your Volvo's in AZ. A good dino readily available in your area would be Pennzoil 10w30 conventional. A good 5K oil.

 

[coffee]

Thank you, Johnny. I have been considering that oil and thought it would be a good option. It is probably hard to go too wrong with a 5k OCI dino anyway but I want the best I can get.

 

[FZ1]

Well,then,run MC 5w30!!!

 

[coffee]

I am trying to move from synthetic products to dino again and the MC is a synthetic blend.

 

[badtlc]

Are your volvo's turbo charged? Phoenix is not too hot for 5w20.

 

[FZ1]

But if you like the way it feels,why change to a full dino? Probably flows better than a dino and you may get slightly better mpg. .02.

 

[coffee]

My Volvos are not turbo. I just get concerned that 5w20 is not spec'd for my Volvos but I switched to get better gas mileage and it feels great in both vehicles. I would keep using it if I knew for sure it was safe and good for my cars.

 

[addyguy]

I've never owned or changed oil on a Volvo, but I 'thought' that Volvo's 'tend' to do better on thicker 30 weight, or even 40-weight oils. On older ones, I wouldn't go below a 11-12 cst oil for them - I'd think something like a HM 30-weight oil, or a thin 10W-40, would be best....

 

[Merkava_4]

Oh yeah ... the never ending coffee/Volvo saga.

 

[coffee]

Thank you for the input. I may just go with the Pennzoil 10w30 YB.

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: coffee
My Volvos are not turbo. I just get concerned that 5w20 is not spec'd for my Volvos but I switched to get better gas mileage and it feels great in both vehicles. I would keep using it if I knew for sure it was safe and good for my cars.


Are you routinely overheating? If not, I don't see a problem with you continuing with a 5w-20. I don't think there would be any issue with a 5w-20 that would not first show itself in terms of consumption ..and even then it might not indicate that it's a poor choice for any reason other than the annoyance and expense of top up.

Now if you're running for 70 mile stretches at 90mph and the temp gauge creeps up toward H ..then I'd get nervous too ..but otherwise ..nope.


Yeah, man! ..but it's a dry heat - Hudson

 

[coffee]

hehe, thanks Gary. Actually I do not have any consumption with the 5w20 and it runs beautifully in the Volvos. I just get concerned with them being high mileage and using an oil lower than spec. I may be worrying about something that is insignificant but wanted to get some opinion. Maybe the MC 5w20 would be fine with 5k OCI's. I will give it some thought before switching.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: coffee
I may be worrying about something that is insignificant ...


That's called "OCD".

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
I've never owned or changed oil on a Volvo, but I 'thought' that Volvo's 'tend' to do better on thicker 30 weight, or even 40-weight oils. On older ones, I wouldn't go below a 11-12 cst oil for them - I'd think something like a HM 30-weight oil, or a thin 10W-40, would be best....


My neighbor had a mid 80s Volvo and it said Castrol 20W50 on the oil filler cap.

 

[coffee]

My manuals show 5w30, 10w30, or 15w40 depending on the temp range so there is quite a spread. The 10w30 seems to be a good balance but I will see if there is any reason to get rid of the 5w20 before making the jump.

 

[FZ1]

So,then,it's easy! Just go to the MC 5w30.

 

[coffee]

hehe, thanks FZ1! You seem to want me to stick with the MC

 

[FZ1]

Well,you said you like the way it runs but you are concerned re the viscosity,so.......just go to the next higher operating viscosity which is 5w30,which is also recommended by your auto maker.

 

[aquariuscsm]

If you`re going back to a dino(which I did),I`d pick either Pennzoil conventional,Valvoline,or GTX. I`ve been running Valvoline and have 5 quarts of Pennzoil conventional sitting here for my next oci.