About a month before moving up to northern Montana, I did a regular oil change using Mobil Delvac Extreme 15W-40, which is a FS oil. I’m about 3000 miles into the 7500 mile OCI. Before winter hits, should I change the oil out for 5W-40? I don’t expect to do much driving in the winter in this vehicle. Probably less than 2000 miles. I will plug in the block heater when I do drive it.
Northern Montana oil question
- Thread starter Splat54
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I would drain/suction out a couple of qts, and refill with a 0W30 or maybe a 0W40.
If you're plugging the block heater in then you could keep using that but I'd probably just switch to a 0/5w-40 anyway because northern Montana can get pretty cold. it varies from -10f to -50f by what google says so I'd use something 0/5w just in case. Delvac esp 5w-40 is great stuff.
If you're plugging it in when it's like <20F then continue to use the 15w-xx. Now, I would not recommend doing that in an old 1995 7.3L F250 pushing 300k miles with some blowby
. The cold on top of low compression can make it very hard to start if left out in the cold for several hours. What vehicle is it & mileage?With a block heater installed, you don't need to really worry too much. Good batteries are more important and it would be a good idea to install a trickle charger that runs when the truck is plugged in.
I would change it now to anticipate the cold weather you will see. I know you will be using a block heater but that is only good for when you are home. Once you go somewhere you won't be using the heater so having the lower weight oil is the preferred and safer way to go in my opinion.
A block heater will get the engine warm enough to start, but it might only heat the oil in the oil pan by a few degrees. If the oil in the pan is so cold that it isn't pumpable (-25°C or a bit colder for a 15W), it won't flow down to the pickup, and the oil pump will start sucking in air. The block heater might actually make the situation worse by allowing the engine to start.
I would either not start the engine at < -25°C, install an oil pan heater, or switch to 5W-40 for the winter.
I would either not start the engine at < -25°C, install an oil pan heater, or switch to 5W-40 for the winter.
Does plugging in warm the oil?
Assuming (I know bad idea) you have a Cummins Ram based on HDEO use and the 7,500 mile OCI.
If it doesn't get below 0F you can use 15w40. Also if you are plugging in it won't be an issue. Next fill consider 5w40 or 10w30, but I'd leave this one alone.
Just my $0.02
so what if he goes to a friends house? Just leave the car there till spring?
Its montana it gets VERY below 0f.
Take an extension cord and plug it in…so what if he goes to a friends house? Just leave the car there till spring?
Its montana it gets VERY below 0f.
In most communities that experience cold weather they have block heater plugs. My brother lived in Edmonton for a few years in the mid 2000’s and they had block heater plugs at his work, the mall and airport as examples.
Not to mention a couple starts at or below 0F won’t kill the engine. Every day for years it s a different story.
Just my $0.02
I believe that 5w40 is recommended for year round service by the OEM for the 5.9? Verify by checking your manual…
Not sure where you’re moving from…but get that sucker undercoated too
If you’re starting unaided below -35 then get an oil with a 0W winter rating. Use the same one year-round if you like.
I’m in SE BC which shares part of the northern border with Montana. I’ll try get 0w40 in before the snow flies. 5w40 is good as well but the 0w40’s are so good there is no excuse not to use them. I have Mobil 1 0w40 on tap. I plug in my block heater at 0 F for a smooth start.
Personally I would get some 0w in there but I would also consider an oil pan heating pad and just using it the night before starting the truck.
Back in 2019 I posted some temps with my Ford Taurus plugged in over night. It was -2 F and dead calm. The oil pan temp was 12 F and the valve covers were 43 F. The heating element at the freeze plug was 78 F. So, some warming of the oil, but not a lot.
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