Penz Plat 10w30 down to -5F

[Nederlander75]

Im sorry for the question, but I wasnt able to offer a good response to my friend earlier today. From the technical data Penz Plat 10w30 seems to be a excellent choice even down to -5F, which is the worst case temp we will likely see here in Denver Metro CO. However, Ive seen lately one recommendation against that weight for winter here.

Thoughts please, thank you.

 

[spiderbypass]

I think the Pennzoil Platinum CCS numbers in all grades including 10w30 are exceptional, which suggests excellent cold weather starting.

 

[jnyost]

You might be ok but I would run something more like a 5-30 or a 0-30 for the winter.

Jared

 

[Drivebelt]

The CCS (cold-cranking-viscosity) for 10W's is rated at -25C (-13F). So, I would feel conformable with a 10W down to that temperature.

The MRV low-temperature pumpability viscosity rating for 10W's is measured even lower -- at -30C (-22F), which would be close to the limit I would want a 10W in the crankcase. Most 10W oils are well under the MRV viscosity limit of 60,000cP at -30C, so they could theoretically be used at even a little colder temps than -30C (but who wants to push things).

MRV …

Esso Extra 10w30 … 18,900 cP at -30C …. (60,000 limit reached at -36C).
PP 10w30 ………… 10,900 cP at -30C …. (spec. sheet doesn't indicate)

A synthetic 10w30 should do better than a conventional at temperatures under -30C -- so, a synthetic 10w30 should be "OK" even at temps even a little under -30C.

You'll be fine with that 10w30 if the temp only goes down to -20C (-4F).

 

[cmhj]

You should be ok but I'd use 5w30 for the added cold start insurance.

 

[oilyriser]

it'll burn more gas with 10w30

 

[Nederlander75]

He has this thing against less than 10w oils and one forum does indicate that the 5w is inferior to the 10w. That last part I dont fully get.

Thank you all, your responses help me explain better.

 

[Drew99GT]

It gets way colder than -5 in Denver; the record low is -24 from 1990, and it was around -15 a couple years back. And living in CO, you likely get up in the mountains to go skiing. Staying overnight at a ski area or anywhere in the mountains during winter could net you morning starting temps way way below 0! I started my S-10 in Breckenridge when it was around 20 below...glad it had 5w30 back then!

The fear with 5w30 is thermal breakdown and thinning at high temps - with modern oils, it's less of an issue, and with synthetic, it's basically a non-issue.

 

[oilyriser]

Deeper cycling of the battery with each start, with 10w30, more wear on the flywheel when the starter operates...

 

[hominid7]

Pennzoil Platinum 10w30 is both a 5w30 and a 10w30 in one.

PP 10w30 is thinner at -30* than Pennzoil Dino 5w30 is.

 

[Drew99GT]

ahhhhhhhhhhhh, nooooooooooo, Pennz Platinum 10w30 won't pass the 5w CCS test...that's why it's a 10w30. It would pass the 5w MRV test.

 

[hominid7]

I very well could have things bass-ackwards, but from what I'm reading it looks as if the following is true:

Pennzoil dino 5w30
MRV (-35) 25,100
CCS (-30) 5,800

Pennzoil Plat 10w30
MRV (-30) 10,900
CCS (-30) 4,570

While the MRV @ -35 for PP 10w30 is unknown, I can't imagine it would more than double from the given -30 reading. The CCS appears to be valid for a 5w30.

Then again, i could be not seeing something. Afterall, it's monday

 

[oilyriser]

the ccs at -30 might be a typo on the 10w30. Shouldn't that be -25?

 

[hominid7]

Originally Posted By: oilyriser
the ccs at -30 might be a typo on the 10w30. Shouldn't that be -25?


That is odd, but that's what they have on their most recent spec sheet.

 

[oilyriser]

I'm looking at the 2007 Shell Handbook, and it lists their Formula Shell 10w30 CCS for -25C, and the 5w30 CCS at -30C. The MRV is listed for -30, and -35.