You guys are so great, I've got another conundrum: an 09 Routan 4.0L that says 10W30 only, again with no provisions whatsoever in the owners manual for cold temps (will still be here in the midwest through the winter). From what I've read, I would assume 5W30 or even 0W30 should be fine, if not better all around, but the engineers could have had something else in mind when they stated 10W30 only. What do you think? If I went lower could it actually mess anything up? Any warranty concerns?
One more: Is 10W30 still fine for cold winter?
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agree that a 5w-30 should be just fine. and another mfr uses that same engine and specs a 5w-30 or 5w-20.
The low temperature start up limit (where the oil is so thick that the engine will only have a 50/50 chance of cranking over fast enough with enough battery voltage left to run the spark) is about -20 F.
The low temperature start up limit for 5W-30 is lower than 10W-30.
And the low temperature start up limit for 0W-30 is lower than 5W-30.
The low temperature start up limit for 5W-30 is lower than 10W-30.
And the low temperature start up limit for 0W-30 is lower than 5W-30.
Given your climate, likely you are fine running 10w30 year around. Is it the best choice? Perhaps not, but despite some of the feelings on this board, many engines do just fine on a similar routine. There are many who even use 10w-30 year around here still, because if feelings that 5w30 is too thin...
If it were me, I'd use 5w30 in the winter, and head back to 10w30 in the rest of the year.
If it were me, I'd use 5w30 in the winter, and head back to 10w30 in the rest of the year.
I find it funny that when someone asks about using a different oil in a car that recommends 5w20 or 5w30 they get ripped on. They get all sorts of crazy answers. But now we have a engine that says 10w30 only and 5w30 is just fine. No comments about the warranty or thinking your smarter then the engineers.
Originally Posted By: steveh
I find it funny that when someone asks about using a different oil in a car that recommends 5w20 or 5w30 they get ripped on. They get all sorts of crazy answers. But now we have a engine that says 10w30 only and 5w30 is just fine. No comments about the warranty or thinking your smarter then the engineers.
Thats because 5 and 10w-30 are the same weight when hot and the main difference is the start up viscosity, which is different than switching to a completely different oil viscosity. 5/10w-30 can we used interchangeably but it depends on your climate and driving conditions. There is no real advantage of having 10w-30 over 5w-30. The 5w gets flowing fast and is easier on cold engines when starting.
That's basically what I've gathered fwiw..
I find it funny that when someone asks about using a different oil in a car that recommends 5w20 or 5w30 they get ripped on. They get all sorts of crazy answers. But now we have a engine that says 10w30 only and 5w30 is just fine. No comments about the warranty or thinking your smarter then the engineers.
Thats because 5 and 10w-30 are the same weight when hot and the main difference is the start up viscosity, which is different than switching to a completely different oil viscosity. 5/10w-30 can we used interchangeably but it depends on your climate and driving conditions. There is no real advantage of having 10w-30 over 5w-30. The 5w gets flowing fast and is easier on cold engines when starting.
That's basically what I've gathered fwiw..
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Back in the days of Straight Weight oils....
10W-30 was THE Winter weight oil!
10W-30 was THE Winter weight oil!
Originally Posted By: ammolab
Back in the days of Straight Weight oils....
10W-30 was THE Winter weight oil!
And your point is....?
Back in the days of Straight Weight oils....
10W-30 was THE Winter weight oil!
And your point is....?
5W30 PP should be fine but, long term, you might want to research this a bit more.
The engine in your vehicle must be a Chrysler 4.0. Chrysler is also calling for the use of 10W30:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2365887
The engine in your vehicle must be a Chrysler 4.0. Chrysler is also calling for the use of 10W30:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2365887
Well I said the heck with it and put M1 0W30 in yesterday. So far so good, engine starts great cold and runs great hot. I have my log with receipts, even photos of the odometer at oil change. I plan on switching back to 10W30 when I move to a warmer climate, and if I had to explain why I used 0W30 this once, I believe I would be justified in saying it was cold as heck that's why.
Originally Posted By: mva
5W30 PP should be fine but, long term, you might want to research this a bit more.
The engine in your vehicle must be a Chrysler 4.0. Chrysler is also calling for the use of 10W30:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2365887
Wow, good find. Good thing I triple checked the bottle before putting it in. I had identicle looking 0W20s sitting right next to it. Assuming the 30 stays a 30 when hot I assume I'll be fine.
5W30 PP should be fine but, long term, you might want to research this a bit more.
The engine in your vehicle must be a Chrysler 4.0. Chrysler is also calling for the use of 10W30:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2365887
Wow, good find. Good thing I triple checked the bottle before putting it in. I had identicle looking 0W20s sitting right next to it. Assuming the 30 stays a 30 when hot I assume I'll be fine.
M1 0W-30 is an excellent choice and of course can be used year round use.
Regarding the 10W-30 recommendation, keep in mind that is when using a mineral oil. Chrysler doesn't require the use synthetic oil for your vehicle but no one would the use of any synthetic 5W-30 or 0W-30 for that matter wouldn't provide improved over all lubrication.
If your concern is your warranty, you could contact Mobil and ask if their position.
Mobil is already on record stating their 0W-20 can be used in any 5W-20 application and will NOT void any manufacturers warranty.
Regarding the 10W-30 recommendation, keep in mind that is when using a mineral oil. Chrysler doesn't require the use synthetic oil for your vehicle but no one would the use of any synthetic 5W-30 or 0W-30 for that matter wouldn't provide improved over all lubrication.
If your concern is your warranty, you could contact Mobil and ask if their position.
Mobil is already on record stating their 0W-20 can be used in any 5W-20 application and will NOT void any manufacturers warranty.
I think that Chrysler must have had a good reason for recommending 10W-30 for this engine, when they have no
problem recommending thinner grades for others.
I'd be inclined to pay attention to what Chrysler recommended for their engine, although it would be useful to know what their rational was.
problem recommending thinner grades for others.
I'd be inclined to pay attention to what Chrysler recommended for their engine, although it would be useful to know what their rational was.
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
I think that Chrysler must have had a good reason for recommending 10W-30 for this engine, when they have no
problem recommending thinner grades for others.
I'd be inclined to pay attention to what Chrysler recommended for their engine, although it would be useful to know what their rational was.
Since it's a generic rec' the the reason is obvious as I mentioned above.
I think that Chrysler must have had a good reason for recommending 10W-30 for this engine, when they have no
problem recommending thinner grades for others.
I'd be inclined to pay attention to what Chrysler recommended for their engine, although it would be useful to know what their rational was.
Since it's a generic rec' the the reason is obvious as I mentioned above.
I have a 2009 town and country 4.0L engine .. so we have both the same engine ... i am currently using amsoil sso 0w30 on our 4.0L engine for around 6k km right now and it runs fine.. i think i might also be getting a better fuel economy ever since i used 0w30... Planning on running 0w30 all year around.. just deciding if i should just stick with mobil 1 0w30 instead of amsoil since i have to pay membership fee + shipping for amsoil and the oil is a bit more expensive.. mobil 1 is a bit cheaper and is available in walmart...
Originally Posted By: Keaunym
Well I said the heck with it and put M1 0W30 in yesterday. So far so good, engine starts great cold and runs great hot. I have my log with receipts, even photos of the odometer at oil change. I plan on switching back to 10W30 when I move to a warmer climate, and if I had to explain why I used 0W30 this once, I believe I would be justified in saying it was cold as heck that's why.
No need to change back to 10-30 in the summer. The 30wt with both engines is your hot engine concern. I use M1 0-20 year round with excellant results.
Well I said the heck with it and put M1 0W30 in yesterday. So far so good, engine starts great cold and runs great hot. I have my log with receipts, even photos of the odometer at oil change. I plan on switching back to 10W30 when I move to a warmer climate, and if I had to explain why I used 0W30 this once, I believe I would be justified in saying it was cold as heck that's why.
No need to change back to 10-30 in the summer. The 30wt with both engines is your hot engine concern. I use M1 0-20 year round with excellant results.
Originally Posted By: mauric3
.. mobil 1 is a bit cheaper and is available in walmart...
Walmart in the States but not Canada.
The other thing is, in a mild climate M1 0W-30 has no cold start advantage over any OTC syn' 5W-30.
.. mobil 1 is a bit cheaper and is available in walmart...
Walmart in the States but not Canada.
The other thing is, in a mild climate M1 0W-30 has no cold start advantage over any OTC syn' 5W-30.
Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
I think that Chrysler must have had a good reason for recommending 10W-30 for this engine, when they have no
problem recommending thinner grades for others.
I'd be inclined to pay attention to what Chrysler recommended for their engine, although it would be useful to know what their rational was.
Since it's a generic rec' the the reason is obvious as I mentioned above.
Caterham, first re-read the second line of the post you say makes obvious the reason for the 10W-30 recommendation, and tell me how it makes any sense.
Chrysler recommended 5W-30 and 5W-20 API oils meeting their MS-6395 spec for various engines. 10W-30 was recommended for the 3.5 and 4.0 engines. It is by no means obvious that Chrysler made the recommendations based upon the criteria you cite, although based upon what you wrote, I'm not entirely sure what you meant.
Also, I don't think that XOM plays any role in warranty administration for either Chrysler or VW, so their view of what will void any warranty is irrelevant.
To the OP, use an oil recommended by the supplier of the warranty coverage while under warranty.
This will make life much easier should you ever have a claim involving the engine, which you probably won't.
I do wonder how VW applies warranty coverage to a Chrysler product wearing a VW badge, though.
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
I think that Chrysler must have had a good reason for recommending 10W-30 for this engine, when they have no
problem recommending thinner grades for others.
I'd be inclined to pay attention to what Chrysler recommended for their engine, although it would be useful to know what their rational was.
Since it's a generic rec' the the reason is obvious as I mentioned above.
Caterham, first re-read the second line of the post you say makes obvious the reason for the 10W-30 recommendation, and tell me how it makes any sense.
Chrysler recommended 5W-30 and 5W-20 API oils meeting their MS-6395 spec for various engines. 10W-30 was recommended for the 3.5 and 4.0 engines. It is by no means obvious that Chrysler made the recommendations based upon the criteria you cite, although based upon what you wrote, I'm not entirely sure what you meant.
Also, I don't think that XOM plays any role in warranty administration for either Chrysler or VW, so their view of what will void any warranty is irrelevant.
To the OP, use an oil recommended by the supplier of the warranty coverage while under warranty.
This will make life much easier should you ever have a claim involving the engine, which you probably won't.
I do wonder how VW applies warranty coverage to a Chrysler product wearing a VW badge, though.
All knowledge on this site says the 5-30 is a better choice.
And it makes good old common sense, when you know what the #s mean.
It DOES seem odd that a rather new vehicle calls specifically for 10-30. It is not necessarily a fight with engineers, however.
I know there are still oil rec charts floating around that never made sense.
And it makes good old common sense, when you know what the #s mean.
It DOES seem odd that a rather new vehicle calls specifically for 10-30. It is not necessarily a fight with engineers, however.
I know there are still oil rec charts floating around that never made sense.
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