Low viscosity/shearing

Joined
Apr 8, 2010
Messages
376
Location
Spokane Valley, WA
Hey all. Just got my first UOA back on my new to me 21' Kia Seltos 1.6L turbo. Well maintained by pervious owner with consistent oil changes at the dealer. 34k miles on the odo, about 3600 miles on this OCI. Healthy wear according to numbers, but they did note the viscosity was a little low. Viscosity @ 210 degrees F was 49.6 (should be 55-63), and @ 100 degrees C was 7.15 (should be 8.8 - 11.3). I do roughly 13k miles annually of I'd say 85% freeway commuting. My driving style is "spirited", so to speak...I don't beat on it, but I do appreciate the turbo get up and go. I have two freebie oil changes from the dealer, but then I was thinking of going to a 5w-40 on a twice a year OCI interval. Thoughts?
 
Always thought 5W-20 was the best low viscosity compromise for my turbo cars but so much shearing. After this revelation I'm confused. Too bad 5W-20, guess I'll never find another ewe.

1733940582433.webp

Farm sanctuary
 
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At least try 5w-40 and 5w-30 Euro oils, see which one makes engine happy.
We got MPI and GDI engines in cars and while both call for 5w-20, I tried 0w-20, 0w-30, 5w-30, 10w-30 and 0w-40 in them.
Forte with MPI seems to love 10w-30 and Sportage with GDI likes xW-30 oils best. Both felt a bit heavy and sluggish with 0w-40 and they were running a bit hot with that oil.
 
Hey all. Just got my first UOA back on my new to me 21' Kia Seltos 1.6L turbo. Well maintained by previous owner with consistent oil changes at the dealer. 34k miles on the odo, about 3600 miles on this OCI. Healthy wear according to numbers, but they did note the viscosity was a little low. Viscosity @ 210 degrees F was 49.6 (should be 55-63), and @ 100 degrees C was 7.15 (should be 8.8 - 11.3). I do roughly 13k miles annually of I'd say 85% freeway commuting. My driving style is "spirited", so to speak...I don't beat on it, but I do appreciate the turbo get up and go. I have two freebie oil changes from the dealer, but then I was thinking of going to a 5w-40 on a twice a year OCI interval. Thoughts?
Use 0w40 / 5w40 SP. Keep the oil level full and change every 3.5k. Keep the same filter for two OCIs.

Just curious! How many miles equals a consistent oil change? 7.1 viscosity in 3.6k miles shows plenty of shearing / dilution. Get that viscosity up ASAP. You want the oil to finish 8.8 with that 1.6 TGDI, not 7.1.
What viscosity grade was the dealer using? Tell the dealer to keep his free oil changes, if he can't give you thicker than 5w20 and 5w30.
 
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Screenshot 2024-12-11 9.17.17 PM.webp



Previous oil changes done by the dealer at the following miles:

2490, 5325, 9941, 14783, 19909, 24183, 29982 My assumption is they used bulk 5w30. Note: I pulled the sample from the dipstick tube and sent it in, but I guess I need to fill the bottle more than half way to have them test for fuel. I'm pretty sure my 30 minute freeway commute gets the temp up enough to burn any fuel off, though.
 
Choose an oil with no viscosity modifiers from a certain BITOG sponsor.
I use no V-II oils in 2 of my vehicles.
But the op is in Spokane Washington, unless I'll wrong they see below zero weather in the double digits during winter.
So I would not use a no V-II oil in that climate.
Id use a 0-xx oil.
 
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Previous oil changes done by the dealer at the following miles:

2490, 5325, 9941, 14783, 19909, 24183, 29982 My assumption is they used bulk 5w30. Note: I pulled the sample from the dipstick tube and sent it in, but I guess I need to fill the bottle more than half way to have them test for fuel. I'm pretty sure my 30 minute freeway commute gets the temp up enough to burn any fuel off, though.
In case you didn’t know, despite their comments, Blackstone does not actually test for fuel. Not surprised they used the term “shearing” but they only estimate fuel. Even with a full sample you will not get an actual fuel reading.

And you may be surprised that a 30 minute freeway drive doesn’t always burn off all of the fuel based on the many uoa’s posted here.

Next time, I can provide a virtual uoa for you for only $15 and can also provide a fuel estimate. 🙃
 
View attachment 253822


Previous oil changes done by the dealer at the following miles:

2490, 5325, 9941, 14783, 19909, 24183, 29982 My assumption is they used bulk 5w30. Note: I pulled the sample from the dipstick tube and sent it in, but I guess I need to fill the bottle more than half way to have them test for fuel. I'm pretty sure my 30 minute freeway commute gets the temp up enough to burn any fuel off, though.
As already noted, Blackstone UOA are useless for determining the cause of a viscosity deviation.
 
Our Detroit area weather temps are similar to Spokane, which only rarely gets below 12 degrees at night. Spokane averages 27 degrees for highs in it's two coldest months. We average 32 degrees.
I am using No VII 5w30/10w30 blend this winter in the 2.0 Kia. We usually get a few nights each year 0-5 below. So does Spokane, or most times, it doesn't see any multiple nights below zero.

In another thread last week, I was reminded that No VII 5/10w30 is fine where I live. Had at least three different comments coming from the HPL gurus here, encouraging it's use in Detroit/Spokane type cold weather. As a reminder, the PCMO HPL is a suitable replacement for: API SP, dexos1™ Gen3, ILSAC GF-6A, Chrysler MS6395, Ford WSS-M2C945-B1, Ford WSS-M2C946-B1.
 
Hmmm...didn't know this was going to turn into a bash Blackstone thread. :oops:

777, you are spot on with the weather. Sometimes we get the polar vortex that spills over the Rockies, but mostly the really cold temps stay in Montana.

My guess is that once I'm out of warranty period, I will go to a 5w40 and change it 3x/year. BTW, this is my first vehicle with that engine shutoff feature that kills the engine when you have your foot on the brake at stoplights and whatnot. I'm curious if there is any data/studies on how that affects oil life.
 
Hmmm...didn't know this was going to turn into a bash Blackstone thread. :oops:
It's not. It is a factual discussion of their method to estimate fuel dilution, which is inaccurate. The ASTM procedure itself states it is supposed to be used as a screening method only, not for final determination. Flash point measurement is an inherently less accurate test and then when you estimate another value off of that it gets worse.
 
It's not. It is a factual discussion of their method to estimate fuel dilution, which is inaccurate. The ASTM procedure itself states it is supposed to be used as a screening method only, not for final determination. Flash point measurement is an inherently less accurate test and then when you estimate another value off of that it gets worse.
Ok then is there another lab out there that does provide accurate info?
 
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