Moving from PA to Vegas - what oil for the desert?

[Superbuick96]

Originally Posted By: XS650
Originally Posted By: ArrestMeRedZ
I forgot to mention about Vegas:

1. Public schools here are not good. Plan on private school unless you are very selective on where in town you live.


LV is also rated low for quality of health care compared to other cities.

Yeah I bought a used TownCar off a construction worker, although work was really good in Vegas, he had to move back to Cleveland, because he said the health care industy was horrible, and his wife was sick. That and I saw on the History Channel show Gangland, Las Vegas (off strip) is overran with Los Angles Crips, and other various gangs. I still love sin city though!

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: ArrestMeRedZ
3. If you live here, decide to not gamble. If you do, forget about buying the house, or getting your kids into decent schools. You won't be able to afford it. If you are married, keep your spouse away from the slots and video poker.

I'd run what my owners manual calls for in that temperature range. IMO, no reason not believe what's in the book.

Good luck in Vegas. Hope the move goes well.

 

[ARB1977]

Im becoming a bigger fan of thicker oils. No change in fuel milage, valvetrain seems quieter too...but 5W30 will serve you just well.

 

[mstrjon32]

Originally Posted By: gmh101357
I live in Phoenix....hotter than Vegas and after living in Houston Texas which is like walking into the mouth of a dog ....
I'll take PHX and 115 and 5 percent humidity over Houston 96/97
and 50+ percent.
Houston was the worse place I ever lived.


I was recently in Phoenix, it was about 109*. Hottest it's been when I was there; previous trips were all in winter, so it was, you know, 80* then. It was oppressively hot, but IMO, still more bearable than being here in Maryland when its over 90* and the humidity is 100%.

 

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
I have a sick oil obsession! I was offered a job in Vegas and currently live in Pittsburgh. I run 5w-30 YB in my 2008 Saturn Aura 2.4. Should I move to 10w-30? I'll be driving the car cross country and concerned about the thinner grade for the trip and once I am living out there in the heat.

Oh and anyone living in Vegas would you recommend the city or no?


I just have to say it: yes, I'm afraid it's true -- you are sick -- very sick.

You should think twice about moving to 'Vegas. If you agonize over an oil choice like this one, one trip to a casino will reduce your brain to formless blob of non-functional slop. . .

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
2008 Saturn Aura 2.4. Should I move to 10w-30? I'll be driving the car cross country and concerned about the thinner grade for the trip and once I am living out there in the heat.

The engine is water cooled and will run at the prescribed 190-220 degF regardless of ambient temps. You may want to att a thermocouple to your oil sump so you can read sump temps. I would insure the cooling system is up to snuff, I dont know if a water-wetter coolant additive would help. I run Mobil clean 5000 5w-30 with 1-quart of 10w-40 of same if an engine tells me its wants thicker oil - does you engine tell you this?

 

[tig1]

Even though the water temp. may remain constant, the crankcase temp. can rise to higher levels than normal. Use a good synthetic like M1 5-30EP and it will handle the higher CC temps you may get in Lost Wages.

 

[jorton]

Off topic. Window film helps a/c keep the car cool ALOT. Current technology window film looks lighter and cools better than dark films used to. Lighter film provides for best visibility at night.

 

[ArrestMeRedZ]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Even though the water temp. may remain constant, the crankcase temp. can rise to higher levels than normal. Use a good synthetic like M1 5-30EP and it will handle the higher CC temps you may get in Lost Wages.


A lot of people don't realize this. Just because your coolant is operating within the prescribed temp range doesn't mean your transmission and crankcase are also. 140 degrees on the blacktop, radiating like an oven, limits the ability of the oil to cool. Simple thermodynamics (I know, I know, nothing simple about thermodynamics) tells us internal temps are going to be higher.

 

[BuickGN]

Definately a 10w-30 or higher. Vegas is the reason I switched to a straight 30 years ago and have run it ever since. The coldest startup temp during the summer is going to be 85 degrees. Why bother with a 5w-30. You could run a 20w-50 in that climate and still be as thin on average as in your home state.

Good luck with the move. I'm not trying to discourage you but even coming from Bakersfield, I spent my last year trying to get back. Vegas is great to party for a few days but living there was not fun for many reasons.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: ArrestMeRedZ
Originally Posted By: tig1
Even though the water temp. may remain constant, the crankcase temp. can rise to higher levels than normal. Use a good synthetic like M1 5-30EP and it will handle the higher CC temps you may get in Lost Wages.


A lot of people don't realize this. Just because your coolant is operating within the prescribed temp range doesn't mean your transmission and crankcase are also. 140 degrees on the blacktop, radiating like an oven, limits the ability of the oil to cool. Simple thermodynamics (I know, I know, nothing simple about thermodynamics) tells us internal temps are going to be higher.
Yes, but at typ PCMO type operating parameters the sump delta doesn't make a hill of beans difference in a liquid cooled engine. You're better off with the oil over 210F than never over 160F. Now trailering and racing - it be oil cooler installlation time. Make the engine take care of the oil, dont try to make an oil fit extreme operating conditions. I agree no need for a 5W - but make sure your getting a good straight weight (prob same spec as 10w-30 minus PPD adds) and not junk. Maybe try a mixed fleet hdeo 30wt if the base oil isnt junk.

 

[Geonerd]

If you want to stick with Penzoil's YB (no reason not to), their 10W40 would work great. It rather thin for a 40 weight, with an HTHS value of only 3.6, right in line with several popular thick xW30 oils.

:2cents:

 

[Bryanccfshr]

No need to change your oil wieght for the desert. Keep using what you are using.

 

[Adamwest]

It was 119 yesterday and will be again today here in Mohave County about two hours from Vegas. I run 10w30 synthetics, both M1 HM and PP in the Tundra, the Volvo, and the old Tercel. Also be sure to pay attention to your tires and battery.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
5w30 is fine they are both a 30 weight when hot and the 5w will get to your top end slightly faster..
You sound serious on the oil getting to the top end quicker.