Extream cold MMO?

[disturban]

We will be traveling to Fairbanks Alaska to stay with family next week, we will be there for the next month. I am taking my 1988 Suburban that has ran on Mobil 1 5w30 since new and I was going to change to either Castrol Edge 0w30 or Amsoil SSO 0w30 before we leave.

Question is it gets real real cold in Fair Banks -50 and I see that MMO has a cold pour point of -65 so I am wondering if it wouldn't be a bad idea to substitute a QT of oil for a QT of MMO before we leave?

What would that do to the viscosity of a 0w30wt oil 4qts oil 1qt MMO?

Truck burns about a qt of 5w30 every 6 to 8k so I am also debating on running Castrol 0w20 just for this trip.

I will not be using a block heater and I am pretty confident that it will start though as it is averaging about -25 right now and not -50, it is fuel injected and I run two Die hard platinum batteries with 880 cold cranking amps each.

 

[Johnny]

How about Mobil 1 0W-30. If those two batteries are in good shape you should be okay. However, -50 is pretty darn cold, especially when not plugged in. I might add, I see no reason for MMO with any of the 0W synthetic oils.

 

[Quest]

I would stay on with 0W30 if I were you, w/o adding anything foreign to the oil.

Afterall: under such temperature, I'd be very cautious as to what I'm using inside my crankcase and wouldn't let anything further dilutes the already thin (but chemically-balanced)motor oil.

Q.

p.s. if your truck having hard time with 5W30/5W20/0W30 weight oil due to slow cranking, check your battery and starter first. Too many a times I see owners/operators blaming motor oil for the lack of proper understanding instead of checking to ensure that their electrical systems are up to snuff.

 

[Sal69]

I'd stay with just the oil, I dont see any problem with that. Maybe plug a block heater in at night if possible.

 

[Quest]

In addition: consider getting some battery blanket. This is the only thing that saved my vehicle and my electrical during extreme cold winter startup (-30C typical, no block heater) back in the north days.

Q.

 

[disturban]

Originally Posted By: Quest
I would stay on with 0W30 if I were you, w/o adding anything foreign to the oil.

Afterall: under such temperature, I'd be very cautious as to what I'm using inside my crankcase and wouldn't let anything further dilutes the already thin (but chemically-balanced)motor oil.

Q.

p.s. if your truck having hard time with 5W30/5W20/0W30 weight oil due to slow cranking, check your battery and starter first. Too many a times I see owners/operators blaming motor oil for the lack of proper understanding instead of checking to ensure that their electrical systems are up to snuff.


Not having any problems starting it now but I am in Micjigan, +10 degree's out this morning and she fired right up half a crank. Everything is all up to par as far as electrical, like I said I got 2 new die hard platinum's, heavy cables, 160 amp alternator.

I went to Canada a few years back and it was about the same temp outside -20 I think and the motor was knocking a little bit when I started it on Mobil 1 5w30 thats why I am going to run a 0w30 oil for this trip...I think I will just go with Edge 0w30 people on here say it is thin as water, lol!

 

[disturban]

Originally Posted By: Quest
In addition: consider getting some battery blanket. This is the only thing that saved my vehicle and my electrical during extreme cold winter startup (-30C typical, no block heater) back in the north days.

Q.

Can you get these at Napa or Autozone?

 

[AuthorEditor]

Check your antifreeze too.

 

[[email protected]]

I wouldnt bother with the MMO. I do like the way you are thinking with a 0w/30. With 2 880cca batteries, you will be fine, assuming your starter is still strong.

Also, make sure you test your coolant/anti-freeze before you go. I know the Dexcool 50/50 I just put in my Saturn is good for -30F (I mixed it myself) according to my tester. I wouldnt trust it in Alaska. Last thing I need is to get to Alaska, I live in Michigan too, to visit family and have my block crack!!

 

[daman]

Thats [censored] cold for sure but with them two battery's and the M1 0w30 i see it doable.

in MI here it's been cold not as cold as you posted but the AFE for me is doing it's job INSTANT oil pressure.

 

[Turk]

Amsoil SSO is great for that weather alone. No need for MMO which is about a 5w.

Anti-freeze: Look up some charts, but a 60/40 would give a lower freeze point.

Good luck!!

 

[eljefino]

Originally Posted By: disturban

Question is it gets real real cold in Fair Banks -50 and I see that MMO has a cold pour point of -65


That pour point does not necessarily "average" with the pour point of what you're mixing it with... and to the detriment of your motor.

Going through Canada, get some Esso 0w30 that everyone raves about!

 

[disturban]

Originally Posted By: tpitcher
Amsoil SSO is great for that weather alone. No need for MMO which is about a 5w.

Anti-freeze: Look up some charts, but a 60/40 would give a lower freeze point.

Good luck!!


I got a 70/30 mix of peak long life right now, should be good down below -50...lol

Yeah block heaters and those battery warmers will not be an option because we will be staying in a cabin with no electricity (Hunting trip) so I am really going to be relying on the old Chevy to start and not get hypothermia...lol

 

[Johnny]

As a precaution, take a lot of coffee with you.

 

[Steve S]

-50!!!! I'd wait for summer .

 

[Boss302fan]

Thats cold... LOL. Battery blanket is a good idea.

 

[electrolover]

sounds like you pretty well have it figured out.
all bases are covered.
0/30 sounds good as well... so does 0/20
thats cold!!

what temp does gas freeze at??

 

[mechtech2]

I am not a big fan of MMO in the crankcase, except for short term use.
But this situation could benefit from the thinning that the MMO will provide.

 

[Eddie]

Do what the locals recomend. Block heater & battery heater or blanket

 

[TurboJim]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
I am not a big fan of MMO in the crankcase, except for short term use.
But this situation could benefit from the thinning that the MMO will provide.


If MMO is the equivalent of 5W wouldn't it be counter productive to add it to a 0W-XX oil?