Good oil for cold starts?

[Kevin in Texas]

While I live in Texas and its not very cold, I still am in search for a good oil that has good initial start-up lubrication.

I have a '05 Nissan Pathfinder and ever since I have owned it, when I first start it up in the morning I hear what sounds like bearing chirping or sqeaking for about 1-3 minutes. The noise slowly goes away after a few minutes.

I have tried various Syn oils including M1. M1 seems the perform the worst.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good oil that has leaves a good oil film for initial start-up?

Should I use some Lucas treatment periodically to boost start-up lubrication?

 

[c3po]

I think the Lucas Oil Additive will only THICKEN up your oil.

What weight oil are you using now.

Maybe the noise you are hearing is from your serpentine belt, JMO.

 

[Zaedock]

All the oils, including those you've used, leave a film for startup.

Even if the anti-drainback valve in the oil filter malfunctioned, you still wouldn't have startup noise that lasts 1-3 minutes.

I would look for other sources of the noise. What about an idler pully or the belt?

 

[daves87rs]

What about PP?

 

[Kevin in Texas]

I have been using 10-30

I never thought about the belt.

 

[Kevin in Texas]

Sorry for my ignorance, what is PP?

 

[Steve S]

You do not need to worry initial startup lubrication unless you are running for example a straight 30 in below freezing weather. Pull off a valve cover and see how long it takes for the oil to get to the top end with a 10w30 oil. Probably the fanbelt or such is causing noise.

 

[tig1]

One of your accessories is likely the problem. To verify that remove the belt and start the engine when it is cold. That will prove where the noise comes from. A lot of guys think their engines have problems when started cold but it is actually an accessory problem(PS pump, alternator, belt pully,etc.

 

[WishIhadatruck]

Originally Posted By: Kevin in Texas
Sorry for my ignorance, what is PP?


PP = Pennzoil Platinum

 

[QMartinez]

Here in utah we get some cold mornings and my favorites are Mobil 1 0w30 and GC 0w30. I have thought about trying the Mobil 1 0w40, but so far I really like the GC. I have a dodge dakota that has the famous lifter tick, it is noticeably quieter with the Mobil 1 and GC. I noticed that my truck turned over very smoothly and fired up almost instantly with both. Just my experience.

I have been using the GC in my motorcycle in the colder months and it seems to like it. I might start using it year round.

 

[hate2work]

IIRC, another Nissan ( Altima ) has noise issues on start-up, and that seems to be related to an aluminum engine cover of some kind...not exactly sure. Google it and see what you find, your truck may use the same cover and make the same noise on start-up.

 

[Ibrahim]

Syntec/Platinum/SynPower/Mobil 1 all are excellent

these two may have more group IV in them than the above

Castrol Edge & Mobil 1 Extended Performance

If I remember correctly Mobil 1 has the lowest pour point 10w30 grade oil!

 

[fsskier]

5W30 or 0W30, either will be great for cool Texas mornings.

Belt chirp, squeaks. In my "gas station guy" days, one often asked question was "whats squeaking" is that a water pump or alternator bearing or something bad?? (OK, you caught me, they were generators, alternators were still in the future).
The old mechanic showed me the fastest way to check for belt noise, using a "windex spray bottle" or similar, squirt a little water on the belt. INSTANT silence means that you have found it - it returns in a minute or so.

 

[fsskier]

Ok, I have to turn this into a quiz. What was the first common production car to have an alternator (instead of a generator) and what year. Now, I am just going from memory, not a database, but fire up your answers!!

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: c3po

Maybe the noise you are hearing is from your serpentine belt, JMO.


After doing a lot of searching online for information on my vehicles belt problems, I found a lot of info on Nissan forums about Pathfinder belt problems.

 

[mechtech2]

Kevin - There is a good saying around here: "No oil is too thin at start up.". I believe this with engine oil.
So I don't care where you are- even if it is warm, a 0 or 5 first number is best.
The second number is for hot thickness, and use whatever you need.

 

[JonfromCB]

Best cold flow and quickest pressure build up will be from
Esters....Redline, Motul, RLI, etc.

 

[coffee]

Probably a good high mileage 20w50....just kidding.

Most 0w30 or 5w30 would be best and probably synthetic if at all possible. Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 has good cold start properties. Mobil 1 0w30 would probably be the best if you can get it.

 

[sparkplug]

-20w0