Let me see if I've got this right; feel free to correct me...
Generally speaking, the shorter your driving trips, the less your motor and its oil reach a normal operating temperature and the more fuel dilution can be a problem. Correct so far?
In the SUS Viscosity @ 210°F section (http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/engine-oil-analysis/), it's noted, "That means the sample had a 2.4% viscosity loss over its service life due mainly to shearing and slight fuel dilution. Oils such as Castrol Edge 5w30 are on the thinner end of the 30 weight spectrum, and are on the borderline of being a “thick” 20 weight oil straight from the bottle."
So my questions are -
1.) Should short trips, which tend to cause fuel dilution, impact your oil choice?
2.) How do you know which oils are "thin" versus "thick" in a given grade?
I'm thinking of my Wife's Volvo 2001 S40 which has a whopping 48,000 miles on because she/we mostly makes short trips to the grocery store, etc. I'm due to change the oil and I've always used 5W-30 M1-EP so I just want to be sure I'm making a smart oil choice.
Thanks for you feedback and opinions!
Ed
Generally speaking, the shorter your driving trips, the less your motor and its oil reach a normal operating temperature and the more fuel dilution can be a problem. Correct so far?
In the SUS Viscosity @ 210°F section (http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/engine-oil-analysis/), it's noted, "That means the sample had a 2.4% viscosity loss over its service life due mainly to shearing and slight fuel dilution. Oils such as Castrol Edge 5w30 are on the thinner end of the 30 weight spectrum, and are on the borderline of being a “thick” 20 weight oil straight from the bottle."
So my questions are -
1.) Should short trips, which tend to cause fuel dilution, impact your oil choice?
2.) How do you know which oils are "thin" versus "thick" in a given grade?
I'm thinking of my Wife's Volvo 2001 S40 which has a whopping 48,000 miles on because she/we mostly makes short trips to the grocery store, etc. I'm due to change the oil and I've always used 5W-30 M1-EP so I just want to be sure I'm making a smart oil choice.
Thanks for you feedback and opinions!
Ed