MRV vs CCS vs CCP

[JeremyInMT]

So I've been poking around, trying to figure out what oil I'd like to go to in my 02 grand am v6 and 05 odyssey v6. I know they are spec'd for 5w30 and 5w20 respectively. Right now I'm running Castrol EDGE (old stuff) 5w30 and synpower 0w20. I'm fairly happy with the Castrol EDGE, not so happy with the valvoline. I live in a climate that isn't that terribly hot in the summer but gets pretty cold in the winter (sometimes down around -30F in the mornings). This got me paying attention to cold temp statistics. Then I realized that we have MRV, CCS, CCP and that different oils list different stats. Some list one, some list the other...how on earth can I really tell what is really best for flow (MRV?) in the winter. I know the pumpability (CCP?) isn't really the best stat since even jello can be pumped at low temps but doesn't flow well.

Found my valvoline 0w20 has horrible MRV down at -40F. Looks like the Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w20 is about 1/3 the viscosity at -40F. So maybe I should just use that. Any good 0w20 ideas here?

Looking at the new Castrol EDGE 5w30, it's not nearly as good as the old for cold temps. Looks like maybe the Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w30 might end up being the choice here as well.

I've also thought of adding 1qt Redline for each as well like an addpack.

Any thoughts for me on this? Any way to clear the clouds from the MRV, CCS, CCP haze?

 

[CATERHAM]

Yes at those cold temp's Mobil 1 0W-20 is the lightest (lowest MRV) oil you can buy, so it would be a good choice for the Honda and the Mobil 1 0w30 for the Grand Am.

 

[JeremyInMT]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Yes at those cold temp's Mobil 1 0W-20 is the lightest (lowest MRV) oil you can buy, so it would be a good choice for the Honda and the Mobil 1 0w30 for the Grand Am.


That's sorta the conclusion I've come to as well. The only reason I'm fighting the results is that the grand am does have a 195F thermostat, so will I get quite a bit of shearing on the Mobil 1 0w30? Maybe no more shearing than the older version of the Castrol EDGE 5w30?

 

[Tempest]

Quote:
I've also thought of adding 1qt Redline for each as well like an addpack.

No need to mix things. Just stick with one high quality oil.

Quote:
The only reason I'm fighting the results is that the grand am does have a 195F thermostat, so will I get quite a bit of shearing on the Mobil 1 0w30?

Shearing?

 

[JeremyInMT]

Originally Posted By: Tempest
Quote:
I've also thought of adding 1qt Redline for each as well like an addpack.

No need to mix things. Just stick with one high quality oil.

Quote:
The only reason I'm fighting the results is that the grand am does have a 195F thermostat, so will I get quite a bit of shearing on the Mobil 1 0w30?

Shearing?


oops, I just meant the higher temps in the cylinder breaking down any VIIs in the Mobil 1.

 

[electrolover]

do you guys have block heaters in Montana?

 

[JeremyInMT]

Originally Posted By: electrolover
do you guys have block heaters in Montana?

wouldn't a block heater heat up the block+water but not the oil. wouldn't the clearances all be tighter, yet the oil would be fairly thick still?

I guess I could put them in but I'd want to know it was actually a good idea in practice and not just theory. I haven't used one before, so I am all theory here and I freely admit this!

The other side of this is that M1 seems to be the lowest cold temp viscosity as well as one of the cheapest synthetics out there.

Also, since I don't have a guaranteed plug-in at work the block heater wouldn't do me any good when the car's been sitting all day at below zero. (For the grand am v6) And for the van, my wife drives it stop-n-go when she runs errands.

 

[steve20]

a block heater in the winter will be your new best friend

 

[BobFout]

Originally Posted By: JeremyInMT
Originally Posted By: electrolover
do you guys have block heaters in Montana?

wouldn't a block heater heat up the block+water but not the oil. wouldn't the clearances all be tighter, yet the oil would be fairly thick still?

I guess I could put them in but I'd want to know it was actually a good idea in practice and not just theory. I haven't used one before, so I am all theory here and I freely admit this!

The other side of this is that M1 seems to be the lowest cold temp viscosity as well as one of the cheapest synthetics out there.

Also, since I don't have a guaranteed plug-in at work the block heater wouldn't do me any good when the car's been sitting all day at below zero. (For the grand am v6) And for the van, my wife drives it stop-n-go when she runs errands.


Having used a coolant block heater for some years, I can tell ya that conduction is alive and well. (as applies to oil and transmission fluid)

 

[chevrofreak]

good oil > block heater

 

[BobFout]

Originally Posted By: chevrofreak
good oil > block heater


Don't try this in Alaska

Proper oil + block heater = best possible combo, no matter the location.

 

[JeremyInMT]

looks like I need to add two block-heaters to my shopping list...now about the oil...

 

[ac_tc]

Actually using a block heater makes
the "cold" properties of oil almost unintresting...

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: JeremyInMT
looks like I need to add two block-heaters to my shopping list...now about the oil...


Google Wolverine Oil Pan heaters, very easy to install, and it will get your oil flowing fast no matter how cold it gets.

 

[webfors]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: JeremyInMT
looks like I need to add two block-heaters to my shopping list...now about the oil...


Google Wolverine Oil Pan heaters, very easy to install, and it will get your oil flowing fast no matter how cold it gets.


Going to get myself one of these. Do they only sell direct, or is that something you can find at other retailers?