Help choosing 1 oil for the family fleet

[MParr]

Pennzoil Platinum Euro L 5W30

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Trade it…
/sarc

.... or dial 1-800-Kia-Boyz

 

[Brons2]

Midwest

5w30 in your favorite variety.

 

[Brons2]

If you’re in the upper Midwest with -10° F mornings, that sets your first parameter at 0, otherwise 5.

I would go with 30 EXCEPT for that Ram you’re towing with. That creates the problem.

I can’t see how you can get the job done with fewer than two oils.

5w rating is at -30C/-22F. If -10 F is as cold as it gets, 5w is fine. $0.02

 

[oil pan 4]

The main reason to use an oil that ends in 40 is if you know or suspect the oil is hitting 230 degrees f or higher.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Many Alaskans use 5w30.

 

[Patman]

Many Alaskans use 5w30.

Just because they do, doesn’t mean they should. That type of climate is exactly why 0w oils exist. If you live somewhere that gets down below 0F on a regular basis you might as well choose an oil that has the best possible winter performance. You don’t want to be stuck not being able to start one day when it just might be -40 degrees

 

[barkingspider]

I would do 5 or 10w30 in all vehicles

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Just because they do, doesn’t mean they should. That type of climate is exactly why 0w oils exist. If you live somewhere that gets down below 0F on a regular basis you might as well choose an oil that has the best possible winter performance. You don’t want to be stuck not being able to start one day when it just might be -40 degrees

I would never say Alaskans rank #1 or # 50 (out of 50 states) in automobile education. But there are multiple members from Alaska on this board that use 5w30.

 

[facility1]

if using a 5w-30 synthetic is a concern in cold weather ,look at the CCS test and use accordingly ,check on a ccs graph to compare the test results as lower is better,,the pour point is less meaningful than the ccs test for engine starting and pumping ability. some 5w-30 do noticeably better at the ccs test than other brands in the same viscosity group.

 

[kschachn]

Cranking is only half the story behind the winter rating, the other half is pumpability. CCS is incomplete in that regard.

Use an oil with an appropriate winter rating.

 

[carguy84]

The main reason to use an oil that ends in 40 is if you know or suspect the oil is hitting 230 degrees f or higher.

Yes, the Ram definitely does.

Towing at a constant speed on the highway the Hemi's oil temp will stay in the 230-240F range. When climbing a grade, it'll hit 260F+

 

[nickaluch]

0W40 Havoline

I didn't know this existed

 

[oil pan 4]

Yes, the Ram definitely does.

Towing at a constant speed on the highway the Hemi's oil temp will stay in the 230-240F range. When climbing a grade, it'll hit 260F+

In stuff I know hits 260f I run something that ends in 50.
My old dodge Dakota just driving around on 100f day I changed the oil and the oil came out right at 200f.
So I'm just running an oil that ends in 30.

 

[tig1]

One oil? I would go with M1 5-30.