Miller88
The average low temps for some small towns in the lower/mid Adirondak NY area are this:
Indian Lake: +5F
Little Falls: +9F
Those are avearge lows. There will occasionally be temps colder than that; true. The low temp sigma is fairly consistent in that general area.
I looked up the NOAA temp data logs for the last three years for several towns in the Adirondak area (all the way up to Massena), using January/February temps (the coldest months), and applied rng (random number generation) to select dates for 45 samples. The standard deviation allows 95% of the temps in that area around no lower than -7 degrees F. It will get colder, but not with any regularity whatsoever. In fact, it typically will only be near zero F or higher. Last year was a warmer year; 2009 was a colder year; that is why I used multiple data years and dates.
In fact, the RECORD lows for those two towns are as follows:
Little Falls: -30 in 1943
Indian Lake: -39 in 1957
You stated this:
Quote:
"-20F isn't out of the question where I live ... -30F isn't out of the question where my parents live"
I guess this would depend upon how you define "out of the question" ...
Is is possible that temps will get that cold? Yes.
Is it probable that temps will get that cold? No.
Is it "normal" that temps well get that cold? Absolutely not.
Are you colder than TN, AL, WV? Yes, you are. But you are not so cold as to warrant the necessity of a synthetic 0w-40 product; you don't "need" such a product in that general area. Those very few days when it might be below -10, will not result in automatic refusal of the engine to start, or assured destruction of bearings.
Obviously, the specific application to which you might apply your lubes would have impact on this discussion; older IDI diesel engines with weak batteries, for example. Or a manually started snow blower (pull-start) that is stored outside. Those might warrant a thinner start lube; ignition dependent, of course.
But my generall comment a few posts back stands, and your example is proof. When speaking of temps, most folks don't really research the factual basis for selecting a lube. They merely buy the percieved "best" presuming that they "need" it.
This product (Rotella T6 0w-40) is going to displace the T5 0W products in extreme north markets. And I seriously doubt that the new product is so much "better" than 99% of us would ever be able to distinguish tangible differences in cold start functions, down here. Yes - there a select few in upper Canada and Alaska who will definitely benefit, but not any of us in the lower 48.
I would entertain any facts you have to challenge my analysis.