One oil for a whole year, 0W-30?

[TorchMini]

I'm buying an oil change for my son's girl friend, who is fully adult with kids and has close to zero money- but she does have a nice 2010 Corolla with 115k miles that we helped her buy recently. We live in Northern Michigan, long and cold winters. Most if her driving is short haul city stops. Likely 5k per year, maybe one trip downstate in a year. I know she will not get around to booking her own oil change since that money will always go to meals and rent etc., so we will treat her to one oil change each year.

So, I am a slightly informed fan of AMSOIL and have a new stash of 0W-30 Signature Series to use for the upcoming service.
Her car calls for 5w-30, although the AI reply on search engine says to use 0W-20...

I think the biggest threat to her engine will be the many ice cold winter starts coming up around November and onto next May, when she changes it again. Once started, she'll drive perhaps 5 miles around town, twice a day. Hard on oil!
Any opinions on what oil to use will be appreciated.

 

[buster]

I think Amsoil Signature Series 0w30 is a great choice for yearly change in that climate/vehicle.

 

[demarpaint]

Perfect choice! Don't overthink it!!!

 

[ClutchDisc]

I would absolutely go with the AMSOIL Signature Series 0W-30 in your case.

 

[zrxkawboy]

Your choice sounds great!

 

[billt460]

0W-30 is a good choice. The biggest problem she is facing isn't the choice or weight of oil. But rather all of the short trip driving she's doing in frigid conditions. That oil is never going to reach operating temperature, and burn off all the condensation that will be forming.

It would be wise to advise her to make at least one trip a week long enough to get everything fully up to operating temp..... Especially the oil in order to get rid of all the "mayonnaise" that will form from constant condensation in the oil.

 

[hemitom]

0W-30 is a good choice. The biggest problem she is facing isn't the choice or weight of oil. But rather all of the short trip driving she's doing in frigid conditions. That oil is never going to reach operating temperature, and burn off all the condensation that will be forming.

It would be wise to advise her to make at least one trip a week long enough to get everything fully up to operating temp..... Especially the oil in order to get rid of all the "mayonnaise" that will form from constant condensation in the oil.

I agree with this above with the constant short tripping 0w20 may be a better choice ?

 

[kschachn]

I agree with this above with the constant short tripping 0w20 may be a better choice ?

Why would that be the case?

 

[Hall]

and have a new stash of 0W-30 Signature Series to use for the upcoming service.
Her car calls for 5w-30, although the AI reply on search engine says to use 0W-20...

I think the biggest threat to her engine will be the many ice cold winter starts coming up around November and onto next May

Do you understand what the numbers in oil viscosity mean ? 0W is better in "icy cold winter" than 5W.

And why refer to that "AI reply" when you say what her car calls for. I'm not anti-AI, but if the oil cap, owners manual, etc says what to use, that's the end of it.

 

[Cujet]

That sounds like a great choice! Don't be afraid of 5W-30's in this quality group you've chosen. The higher end 5W-30's will flow down to -60ºF or lower!

 

[charbaby]

It is very nice of you to do this for her!

 

[SC Maintenance]

I agree with this above with the constant short tripping 0w20 may be a better choice ?

Opposite. If short tripping causes dillution the 0W-30 will be better.

The 0W will be better for cold start than the 5W suggestion from AI or wherever as well.

0W-30 is what I would pour in that circumstance, and Amsoil is top of the heap.

 

[ecotourist]

That car is not demanding or hard on oil. Pretty much any API approved 5W-30 or 0W-30, and a good warm up every 3 months, would do the job.

 

[Zee09]

Nice.......
Make sure you teach her how to check the oil and at what frequency to do so.

 

[hemitom]

Why would that be the case?

Depending on time driven each start if not getting up to temp would a 20 weight not be sufficient ?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Depending on time driven each start if not getting up to temp would a 20 weight not be sufficient ?

Sufficient maybe. But to no real advantage, and definately disadvantage when it does get to temp.

The car calls for a 30 weight - no reason to go lower. The 0W will help with any really cold starts if they occur.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

It is very generous of you.

What is the cost of the Amsoil vs Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30? Amsoil is excellent but at only 5k/year is that needed? Who does the oil change? Are there any issues with oil burning? As stated make sure she knows how and when to check it. Maybe set her up with a spare quart BUT she needs to provide feedback to you on usage if any.

I might opt for the Mobil 1 ESP or even Valvoline Restore and Protect to get/keep the rings clear. If you find sale things even though low miles a second change at 6 months if she comes by? Might be same cost but fresh oil with others. The Castrol Edge Euro K Walmart sale plus rebate made it $1.44/qt for 25 quarts.

One girl I work with also not best financials, older Elantra burns some from lack of past maintenance. I give her a quart of oil from my stash. Last 4-5 were Valvoline Restore and Protect poured from my 5qt. I tell her when bottle is empty give it back and I'll give her more. I don't have many single quart bottles so need to refill them. She does it take it more regularly for oil changes now and tops off.

 

[shortyb]

Super nice of y'all to help her out with the oil change purchase. I do that for a couple folks I know that are barely making it but need reliable, well maintained transportation to keep life going.

How about this, have your son do it. It's pretty simple on that car and would save some money. Plus, if he doesn't know how, you (or someone else versed in it) could teach him how to do it. Oil could be sourced cheaply at Walmart for Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 for $28 a 5 qt. jug. Dare say it would give the Amsoil a run too. Good filters (PGs) can be had pretty much anywhere for not much cost either. Just a suggestion.

 

[ecotourist]

How about this, have your son do it. It's pretty simple on that car and would save some money. Plus, if he doesn't know how, you (or someone else versed in it) could teach him how to do it.

Teaching people who are not mechanically inclined to (even) change oil is not easy.

I taught 2 fellow med students how to change their oil. One never did it again, and the other one cross-threaded his oil plug. I changed the oil for a classmate with waist length blond hair but my wife suggested (nicely) that I not do that again.

 

[shortyb]

Teaching people who are not mechanically inclined to (even) change oil is not easy.

I taught 2 fellow med students how to change their oil. One never did it again, and the other one cross-threaded his oil plug. I changed the oil for a classmate with waist length blond hair but my wife suggested (nicely) that I not do that again.

True. Should go without saying if his son doesn't know which end of a wrench to use, a commercial oil change place "may" be better. Heard those places don't always get things right either. The changing for a waist length blond hair person? Yeah, that can be trouble too .