GF4 5W-30 vs. 10W-30 dino

[novadude]

I have always felt that 10w30 made for a better choice than 5w30, based on the fact that 5w30s always seemed to shear out of grade in UOAs (dino oils). With the advent of GF-4, it sounds like better basestocks are being used in 5w30 oils, but not necessarily in the 10w30s.

Could it be that the scales have tipped, and now 5w30 is the dino oil grade of choice? I guess we will have to wait on the UOAs to know for sure.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Flimflam]

quote:

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Originally posted by novadude:


What are your thoughts?

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Even if the new GF-4 5w30 was Group 4,5,6.....even Group X, that does not mean it automatically becomes the better oil than say, 10w30, 20w-50 that use Group 1 or less.

Many oils in here post super wear numbers even though they arev made with primitive Base Stocks. Contrastingly, some oils show terrible wear numbers even they are pure, 100% PAO Base Stock.

"It is not how big your Group # is. It's what you DO with it that counts."

 

[haley10]

I know that Castrol GTX and Pennzoil already meet GF-4 in 10w30. This would be a non-issue since they already use quality basestocks. There would be no superior advantage to 5-30 over 10-30 in these two or Chevron/Havoline.

I think conventional wisdom still applies with these brands. Most starburst dinos will thin somewhat by design to get the energy conserving rating.

 

[69 Riv GS]

quote:

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originally posted by Flimflam:
"It is not how big your Group # is. It's what you DO with it that counts."

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I believe there's much truth in this statement!
It's the quality of the entire formulation that makes the difference, and I feel this includes more than can be seen with a typical VOA; - or knowing which base oil blend is used).

 

[novadude]

Let's assume for one minute that both the 5w30 and 10w30 are approved for your engine. Let's also assume that the add packs are identical. Let's go one step further and assume that the 5w30 is a GRII/GRIII blend, and the 10w30 is a lesser quality basestock.

Would the 5w30 hold up better over extended drains?

 

[Whimsey]

In addition to the base stock the additive package used is very important. With more vehicles using 5w30 now a days I think the oil companies are investing more in making a better 5w30 than 10w30. Take Motorcraft for example. They "upgraded" their 5w30 to a "synthetic blend" recently. But not the 10w30 as of yet. Plus a lesser base stock oil need more additives to make up for the lesser base stock. That's not always desireable.

Whimsey

 

[Terry]

All things being equal a SM/GF4 5w30 will be a "better" lubricant compared to a 10w30 of the same brand that is not.


Volatility, extended drains,and hopefully lubricity "should" be improved.

As far as comparing UOA's here you have got to understand that outside variables have a tremendous effect on the results. Most that are listed here are not interpreted properly or fully disclosed when posted.

A really well maintained engine running a average oil and driven gently will show well.

A hard driven engine with coolant,poor air filtration,deposits, fuel dilution will make the highest quality lubricant look terrible.

 

[csandste]

FWIW I've moved my 5w30 use from three to nine months out of the year. GF-4 may make it a twelve month pick. I seem to get better mileage with 5w30 and reduction in start-up wear is important. The Pennzoil 5w30 seemed to burn off a bit more than the ST 10w30 but at less than a half quart for four thousand miles that's no big thing.

 

[69 Riv GS]

quote:

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originally posted by novadude:
Let's assume for one minute that both the 5w30 and 10w30 are approved for your engine. Let's also assume that the add packs are identical. Let's go one step further and assume that the 5w30 is a GRII/GRIII blend, and the 10w30 is a lesser quality basestock.

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If the GF-4 10w30 was using a "lesser quaility basestock" blend(Grp I content), a stronger/different additive package along with correction fluid/s would have to be used to meet the the oxidation and volatility specs. Formulation costs would be roughly the same using a Grp II+ base oil blend while also keeping production "simpler" by using the same additive package as the 5w30. Here's a quote from ChevronTexaco regarding this very subject; - in this post.

 

[novadude]

Now that GF4 is here, I am thinking about giving up my 10w30 preference for 5w30. Wise choice, or not?

I started to shy away from 5w30 when I saw it shear to a 20 wt. in my UOAs. 10w30 does not shear for me, even after 5k miles (my new "normal" interval). I am thinking that the new GF-4 oils may not shear out of grade as quickly. Right or wrong?

Any reason to stick with 10w30?

 

[novadude]

c'mon... no one wants to rehash the old 5W vs. 10W debate now that we have GF4 oils?

 

[novadude]

quote:

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All things being equal a SM/GF4 5w30 will be a "better" lubricant compared to a 10w30 of the same brand that is not.

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How about GF-4 5w30 vs. GF-4 10w30? Any advantage to 5W, now that the formulations are improving?

 

[The Oil Expert]

Noavdude,how about this 5w30 in the winter, 10w30 in the summer.Make sure they are both ILSAC-GF-4.