Wondering how it does in extreme heat (Phoenix, AZ area). This is for a 2005 Subaru STi, btw. The recommended oil range is from 5w30 to 10w40, and as high as 20w50 in extreme conditions.
Specific application question with GC...
- Thread starter Shemoves
- Start date
- Status
Although I can't produce a copy of the UOA's right now, there are guys over on the vwvortex who have run GC in 1.8L Turbocharged engines in the desert heat. UOA's have shown that GC holds up just fine in desert conditions, combined with the extreme heat of a turbo-charged engine.
Thanks for the input. Please correct me if I am wrong, but is 0w30 one of the 'recommended' viscosities for VWs? I know GC is one of the thicker 30 weights, but I am still wondering since it is technically a 0w30, which is not listed in Subarus manual.
I'm not afraid of straying from the manual from time to time, I just wanna make sure I am prepared for the journey
I'm not afraid of straying from the manual from time to time, I just wanna make sure I am prepared for the journey
the weight of the M05 and M06 GC at 40C is the same as Redline 10W30 and BMW 5W30, so the 0 part isnt really that much of an issue unless you drop to freezing temps, you can just think of it as a heavy 10W30!
There's plenty of good GC reports with Subarus in general. Then again, Subies produce pretty good UOAs with any oil.
I'm on the verge of trying Mobil1 5w-40 (aka Delvac1) because the car consumes GC.
I'm on the verge of trying Mobil1 5w-40 (aka Delvac1) because the car consumes GC.
As far as I can tell, the answer is no. Even though GC is VW 502.00 approved, I've never seen a VW owners manual that recommends the use of 0w30. I've seen something about 0w30 in an Audi manual, but not VW.
Interesting. Well, looks like 3k miles and a UOA on GC are in order.
You could be brave and stretch it to 5k miles. Do your analysis at 3k and you can then be sure of where you are headed for your car, your driving habits, and your driving conditions.
I've used it with great results in several vehicles, year round, on the Gulf Coast, where of course, it gets plenty hot in the summer. Remember, don't be distracted by the 0w, which makes many think it's a "thin" oil. Not so. In fact, at just over 12 centistokes at 100*C, it's very close to actually being a 0w-40. Most of the occasional complaints that surface re GC seem to have to do with it being too viscous for the particular application (IIRC, member Rodbuckler didn't like it in his Ford 4.6, which is a 5w-20 engine). Good stuff, use with confidence.
Hmm, still debating and I'm in need of an oil change. Teach me a bit about weights...
What would be the point of a 5 or 10w30 if a 0w30 is available?
What would be the point of a 5 or 10w30 if a 0w30 is available?
GC could be labled as 5w30 or 10w-30, if it meets the 0w viscosity it would also meet the 5w and 10w since they are just a max viscosity at a specific temp.
Pay more attention to the 30 weight rating especially in Arizona! GC will be thicker than most any other 30 weight at high temps and the A3/B3 HTHS rating of > 3.5 is higher than most other Xw-30 oils.
Pay more attention to the 30 weight rating especially in Arizona! GC will be thicker than most any other 30 weight at high temps and the A3/B3 HTHS rating of > 3.5 is higher than most other Xw-30 oils.
Agreed...not only am I in Arizona, but I'm driving a turbo Subaru...so the oil definitely gets a workout. Which do you think would handle the abuse better...Redline 10w30 or GC?
Call me old fashioned... In Arizona (especially the summer), I would use a quality 40 weight.
Oops, didn't mean a straight 40 weight. I meant a Xw-40.
Well, I know that GC is considered a thick 30 weight, but I am still a bit concerned. Some folks on another forum have claimed that it is too thin for my application. They may just be getting stuck on the whole '0' number issue, but it is also technically not within the recommended range of 5w30 to Xw50 in my manual.
Would mixing in about a quart of a RL 50 weight oil be a good move?
Would mixing in about a quart of a RL 50 weight oil be a good move?
Well, I just took a spin with the new GC in there. It seems much more susceptable to temperature change (heavy throttle=rise of oil temps) as compared with the RL 10w30 I have been running. Oil pressure also seems to be very slightly more erratic than with the RL. I am going to run some more tests this evening when it cools off, then throw in about a quart of RL 20w50 (if I can find some locally) to see if that changes anything.
Shemoves (I'm assuming that you're referring to Nasioc),
The 0w isn't an issue for the knowledgeable members. It's NOT because 0w is thin OR because 0w isn't in the manual. It's the 30 that gets them concerned (Whether it be a 0w, 5w or 10w). They think 30 weights are a little too thin for turbo Subies.
Many people assume, "The manual says to use 5w30."
That is simply not true. 5w30 is the "preferred" or "recommended" viscosity.
For your application, the manual states, "However, in hot weather, oil of higher viscosity is required
to properly lubricate the engine."
Even though GC is a thick 30 weight, there are also many good 40 and 50 weights to use for an AZ summer. Hence my above post.
The 0w isn't an issue for the knowledgeable members. It's NOT because 0w is thin OR because 0w isn't in the manual. It's the 30 that gets them concerned (Whether it be a 0w, 5w or 10w). They think 30 weights are a little too thin for turbo Subies.
Many people assume, "The manual says to use 5w30."
That is simply not true. 5w30 is the "preferred" or "recommended" viscosity.
For your application, the manual states, "However, in hot weather, oil of higher viscosity is required
to properly lubricate the engine."
Even though GC is a thick 30 weight, there are also many good 40 and 50 weights to use for an AZ summer. Hence my above post.
yah, I was referring to NASIOC. I would just switch to a heavier RL oil, but it is expensive. I was hoping I could get the same level of protection as a 40 weight RL if I went GC with about a quart of RL 50 weight mixed in.
- Status