Synthetic oil

[Familyman]

At 32 degrees....would a synthetic 10w30 and conventional 10w30 be nearly the same viscosity ? Would start up/flow be the same since they are the same weight? Or are the two held to different standards ? Thanks.

 

[Revving2Redline]

I think the synthetic will do better but if your in Georgia you wont feel the difference as much as someone farther north.

 

[92saturnsl2]

There aren't two different standards. But in most cases, synthetic will maintain a better operating viscosity throughout the temperature range experienced in the engine. It will hold up better long term and maintain the correct viscosity.

Go toss a quart of synthetic and conventional in your freezer overnight, or outside in 32F weather. When you pull it out, shake it around and you'll see the difference.

 

[blupupher]

As said, the w standard is the same regardless of the oil type. That said, I agree with above.
10w-xx conventional will meet the 10w flow spec.
10w-xx synthectic will meet and usually beats the 10w- flow spec.

But @ 32°F, your really not going to see a real world difference. Even down to 0°F a 10w30 conventional or syn is fine. It is not till you start getting to the negative teens that a difference of a syn 10w will show up.

 

[BrocLuno]

At 32* they are both quite pumpable. Folks ran 10w30 for decades at temps below that and never killed an engines. You're fine.

Down in the teens and I start to wonder. But by that time I've already gone to 5W anyway. And that brings up my question. Why are you not just using 5w30 and never worrying about it at all?

 

[Matt6127]

Originally Posted By: Familyman
At 32 degrees....would a synthetic 10w30 and conventional 10w30 be nearly the same viscosity ? Would start up/flow be the same since they are the same weight? Or are the two held to different standards ? Thanks.


In Georgia, 10w anything should be fine. Here in Maine, it was -15.7 the other day, 0w-xx or 5w-xx in the winter...

 

[JoelB]

Here in Minnesota it will be 32 degrees tomorrow and we are dreaming about it as it was -27 F yesterday morning. Start a car in that temp and you'll realize why 32 degrees is not an issue for oil.

 

[Familyman]

Just wanting a 30w that stays a 30w through a 5k oci. From what I have read....looks like most 5w30's shear down to a 20 and 10w30's stay a 30. I may be mistaken.

 

[JoelB]

You could go with an oil on the thicker end of the 30w scale. Castrol seems to always be on the thicker side for its weight. But I believe shearing has more do do with the engine and its use.

 

[Nickdfresh]

It's not a big difference because most conventionals are pretty much syn-blends anyways. But I like full syn when used with rebates making it cheaper than conventional at this point...

 

[TiredTrucker]

I use 10w30 year round. -16F the other morning. Didn't concern me a bit. We don't get that low very often. Most winter ranges in the -5F to 20F. Used 10w30 for many years. Nary an engine problem from doing so in 40 years.