Hey guys. Awhile ago I came on here with an oil analysis and was told to try out Chevron Delo 400 15w40 multigrade. I tried it, seemed good (waiting on a sample result currently), went to change my oil last week. Looks like I grabbed the wrong weight, they had SAE30 mixed in with 15w40 at autozone so I grabbed the SAE30 by mistake. Put it in and looked at the bottle later and sort of freaked out. The car drives fine and dandy, though, but I'm wondering if its too heavy. Its summertime and will be changed before it gets cold, but am I damaging my engine if its too heavy? Thanks for some peace of mind.
Subaru EJ22T, put in SAE30 by mistake...is it too heavy?
- Thread starter pgil
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You should be OK until Oct.
The smileys make me feel better.
I assume SAE30 is heavier than 15w40..I can't find a comparison anywhere.
I assume SAE30 is heavier than 15w40..I can't find a comparison anywhere.
At full operating temps, the SAE 30 should be a lighter weight oil than the 15w40. However, the 15w40 can be used at lower temps than the straight 30 due to its 15W rating. I hope you got the SAE 30 that actually has additives in it (30HD). Sometimes the 30ND for non-detergent sits on the shelf next to engine oil. The 30ND is really only suited for air compressor use and such, not an internal combustion engine that you want to keep running a long time.
Great, great. No I got actual engine oil. So I'll be okay until it gets colder, I'll be due for a change in September anyway, then I have to figure out what to use (15W-40 is probably too heavy for winter)
5w30 if the almanacs predict a cold winter.
I wouldn't worry. I did the same thing.....except I used 2 quarts of SAE 30 Havoline in my sister's Volvo.
30 wt should not be used below 32degrees f.
To bring a thread back from the dead...but I just switched out the SAE30 today. I changed to the Shell Rotella T 5w40 Synthetic. Good idea? I like that its synthetic...that is an HDEO...and that its a nice 5w for winter but heavy at operating temp.
Hopefully I made a good choice..
Hopefully I made a good choice..
I would LOVE to have seen a UOA on the SAE30 weight. My guess is that it would have looked OK since it was not used in cold weather. The Rotella 5w40 looks like good stuff.
My 2005 Subaru Outback manual says:
5w30 is preferred -40F to 100F
0F - 115F or higher 10W-30 , 10W-40
For desert areas, very high temps or towing :
30, 40, 10W-50, 20W-40, 20W-50
So I would guess that you're OK as long as temps are above 30F or so.
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I have been running 5w30, or 5W-40 synthetic in our newer Subaru's and 10W-30 synthetic in our older Subaru.
5w30 is preferred -40F to 100F
0F - 115F or higher 10W-30 , 10W-40
For desert areas, very high temps or towing :
30, 40, 10W-50, 20W-40, 20W-50
So I would guess that you're OK as long as temps are above 30F or so.
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I have been running 5w30, or 5W-40 synthetic in our newer Subaru's and 10W-30 synthetic in our older Subaru.
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