Interesting viscosity chart & Shell 5w40

[ELS]

OK guys, I have an interesting viscosity recommendation chart to share.

(all temps F)

-30 to 0 ----- 5w20
-30 to 30 ----- 5w30
-10 to 80 ----- 10w30
-10 to 120+ ----- 10w40 or 10w50
10 to 70 ----- 20w20
10 to 120+ ----- 20w40 or 20w50
30 to 100 ----- SAE30
85 to 120+ ----- SAE40

Oddest chart I have ever seen that I can recall.

Anyways, I bought some Shell Synthetic 5w40 for this application.

After doing so, I was sorta second-guessing the decision.
I was thinking about (1) Viscosity (2) fuel mileage.
So I whipped out the manual to see if it could be of any assistance.

I was supprised to see 10w40, 20w50, etc being recommended for temps above 80 degrees.

So what do you all think about this oil selection for this application?
4 cylinder DOHC... lots of short-trip miles.

Here is the OEM spec sheet on the oil.

http://www.shell-lubricants.com/products/pdf/RotellaTSynthetic.pdf

 

[TR3-2001SE]

I think this viscosity is spot on for our area. This oil is well though of on this site. I don't think you have anything to worry about but drive and do used oil analysis which we love to read.

 

[nascarnation]

Stuff works great in Saturn 1.9s. Anytime of year.

 

[Auto-Union]

I made up a W system for noobs.

>+10f=10w
>+5f=5w
If you see temps at or below 0f, maybe a 0w oil is needed.

 

[oil pan 4]

Great oil if your going to be doing a lot of cold starts with short trips where you never get the car warmed up.
Like I do.

 

[ELS]

Quote:

---

I made up a W system for noobs.

>+10f=10w
>+5f=5w
If you see temps at or below 0f, maybe a 0w oil is needed.

---

In a nutshell, that is the same rule of thumb I have used for years.

It has been a LONG TIME since we have seen a winter temp down to zero. It almost never even gets in the single digits here anymore. Usually teens are our worst lows anymore and it doesn't get that cold often anymore.

 

[wgtoys]

My guess is that the chart if from a Korean branded car. They seem to still be using that sort of chart which was common in the 1970s.

5W-40 Rotella T should do you just fine.