Synthetic vs Conv...Cold weather

[JD Green]

Geeeman:

I have a 2001 Neon that is seeing it's second winter with Amsoil 0w30 S2k. It can be 20 below zero and it cranks over and starts just like it is 80 degrees out. Believe it or not, I knew I was going to notice a difference between conventional and synthetic. in this area, but did not think it would be that much of a difference. Try it, and you'll never go back to dino.

 

[Hankrr]

Well probably our ideas of Molasses are different.

I use to have an old buick that had over 300 thousand miles on it that I had to run the 20w50 in and yes.....THAT oil poured like Molasses in cold weather.

 

[Chris B.]

quote:

---

Originally posted by DockHoliday:
Over the last two winters, I used Mobil 1 10W30 (installed by the Volvo dealer), and this year, I handed them a jug of Amosil 0W30 S2K. With the Mobil 1, the really cold starts were noisy, the engine sounded very tight and as if it was straining.

Today, I started the car at 3F, and it started and ran just like any other day. I was very impressed and happy.

Not very scientific, but it appears to me that the 0W30 Amsoil kicks but over the Mobil 1 10W30 for cold starts

---

I had just the oppisit happen. I use Mobil 1 10w30 year round and it was around -9F the other night and both my Camaro and Silverado started with no strain and they seemed like it was a warmer day with no abnormal start up noise. I think that was pretty impressive!

 

[geeeman]

quote:

---

Not very scientific, but it appears to me that the 0W30 Amsoil kicks but over the Mobil 1 10W30 for cold starts .

---

And don't you think it should?

Comparing a similar synthetic 10W to a 0W is comparing apples to oranges...

 

[OilAnal]

I found out the same results as Drew in the freezer test. It now seems to takes Mobil 1 SuperSyn 0w30 to match the old cold performace of Mobil 1 Tri at 5w30.

In my informal cold test over the years back to 1995, the old conventional oils were very thick compared to Mobil 1. Now Pennzoil Conventional 5w30 seem alomst as good a Mobil 1 5w30 - very close. However, it turn cloudy over time in the freeze where Moibl1 stays nice and clear. I would suspect at 3K+ miles to seem even more difference in the oils.

 

[Patman]

It's funny how you guys all think that all of Canada is so cold, but yet the coldest morning we've had here in Toronto this winter is right now, it's 11F. It is rare to see it get below 0F.

So head north for some warmth!

 

[Pablo]

Patman, it's coming!

 

[Patman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pablo:
Patman, it's coming!

---

I hope you're referring to spring!

 

[DockHoliday]

quote:

---

Originally posted by geeeman:

quote:

---

Not very scientific, but it appears to me that the 0W30 Amsoil kicks but over the Mobil 1 10W30 for cold starts .

---

And don't you think it should?

---

Actually, I did not think there would be a noticable difference until much colder, such as -25F. I think I put too much stock in the synthetic's low pour point numbers, and expected the 10W30 synthetic to do better than it did at around 0F.

I am very happy with the 0W30 for winter, but will it be able to protect a turbo motor in the summer?

BTW - My comparison of Amsoil 0W30 to Mobil 1 10W30 is not intended to bash Mobil 1. I assume that the same results would be seen with any brand Synthetic 0W30 vs 10W30.

 

[Patman]

quote:

---

I am very happy with the 0W30 for winter, but will it be able to protect a turbo motor in the summer?

---

Most definitely. I think many will agree that not only would the 0w30 Amsoil be better than their 5w30 or 10w30 for the summer but it would be better than Mobil 1 10w30 also. It's simply got a better base oil and a better additive package than all of those other oils (not that they too couldn't get the job done, just that Amsoil 0w30 is one of the better oils you can buy)

 

[wtd]

I can tell a difference in how my truck runs this winter with 5w30 Chevron Supreme compared to last winter when I used Mobil 1 10w30. My truck starts the same but it ran alot smoother and with less engine vibration with the Mobil 1 when the truck was cold. I don't have the startup noise with the Chevron that I had with the Mobil.

Wayne

 

[dancer]

Re: the statement that cars start in cold winters regardless of the type of oil... Well, not always. Several years ago I had to stay overnight in Colfax, WA. Got up the next am and it was -30 degrees. I had a very cheap 30 weight oil in my beater Vega hatchback (it had an oil consumption problem). Anyway, I turned the key and nothing happened; not even a groan - I think the oil was the consistency of Jello that's been in the fridge overnight. Motel manager said I would have to have it towed to a heated garage and wait. I didn't have the $ for that so I went back in the motel room and filled the tub w/ hot water, then made at least a dozen trips to scoup out the hot water w/ a plastic trash can and pour it over that sorry excuse for an engine. It worked. Oil really can get so thick that the motor won't start.

 

[toyvwbenz]

Yep, SAE 30 oil will be a solid at -30F.

 

[JoggingGuy]

quote:

---

Originally posted by dancer:
Oil really can get so thick that the motor won't start.

---

No kidding. I was running 70W motorcycle oil once in my old bug because it was such a hot summer. Then a freak cold front came through one day in october and dropped the temps down to 40F. Turned that 70W into the consistency of fudge. Hit the key and nothing happened. Had to heat the oil drain plate with a propane torch for a while, then break the engine loose by turning it with a wrench. Cranked it up, got it hot, and drained that goo out of there

 

[geeeman]

quote:

---

Oil really can get so thick that the motor won't start.

---

Cold, cold temps are a double whammy when it comes to starting an engine. Yes, the oil does thicken up considerably, AND the battery has lost a good deal of its mojo...put these together, and sometimes you get...NOTHIN'!

Winter sucks...

Unless you've got synthetic oil and snowtires...yippee!!!

 

[oilyriser]

My dad told me his car wouldn't stay running yesterday morning. Mine started just fine.
It took him three tries to get it going. His car
contains Mobil 1 5w30, and mine a mix of Mobil 1 0w20
and 0w30. One -28C day last year, my mom called
me because her car wouldn't start at all. It
just turned over very slowly for about 20 seconds
but didn't fire up. At the time, it had Mobil 1
5w30 in the engine. This winter, it has the
same mix as mine.

It may pour at -49, but 5w30 is 5w30, synthetic or
not. Without block heaters, 0w30 rules!

 

[Patman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by oilyriser:

It may pour at -49, but 5w30 is 5w30, synthetic or
not. Without block heaters, 0w30 rules!

---

There must be a word for someone like me then, who uses both 0w30 and a block heater (even when it's 32F, although it was -9F this morning!)

 

[pepper32]

Yes Patman, I use 5w30 synthetic with a block and oil pan heater.

 

[ekpolk]

quote:

---

Originally posted by geeeman:

quote:

---

Oil really can get so thick that the motor won't start.

---

Winter sucks...

Unless you've got synthetic oil and snowtires...yippee!!!

---

. . . or maybe an address in Florida! I grew up in the Frozen North (NH) but I've come to view winter as a mild respite from the summer when even with a sunshade my steering wheel is often too hot to touch for several minutes after I start the car!

To the point: I had long been suspicious of just how meaningful pour points were, at least in isolation. A couple months ago, I had to spend three weeks up in Northern Virginia, and they were having a bad cold snap. Morning temps were often 10-12F. I had prepared with a fill of Mobil 1 0w-30, just to see how it would do. Despite temps being still 60 or so degrees above pour point, I was not especially impressed. After a ten minute idling warmup (which I spend hacking ice off the car), when I gave it some gas to merge with 30-40 mph traffic, I got an awful clattering sound from underhood, which I assume was the DOHC valve hardware telling me it wasn't yet properly oiled. Scared me bad, and I backed off right away, and took it easier.

My car is a 2003.5 V-6 Camry (210hp ver) and had about 25k miles on it at that point. Car had never done this before nor has it again. Clearly, despite some warmup and being well above pour pt, even this 0w30 wasn't ready for prime time. I normally run 5w30 (now Ams ASL) and in my warm home climate, the car is always ready to rev.

So what practical info does pour point convey?

 

[n8wvi]

Pepper, what type of oil pan heater???

[ April 13, 2004, 02:01 PM: Message edited by: n8wvi ]