Thinnest 5w-30?

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If you're looking at synthetics, I believe Castrol's Edge and Syntec are both still very thin 30 weights, just under 10 cst at 100c. (although we should really be looking at HTHS numbers to find out the true viscosity)
 
I am left with the question "thin when?" Are you looking at resistance to flow in the cold or resistance to flow at operating temps. For an SAE30 at operating temp, Mobil1 0W30 is on the very thin side with an HTHSV of 3.0, but this oil is not 5W30. Since your question doesn't include 0W30 as an option, I have a hard time guessing the parameter that is important to you. I would be even more confused with "what is the thinnest 10W30?"
 
Cold flow, actually. I did. not include 0W weights bcs I'm getting the impression on the forum that 0W's flow about the same as 5W's at the 20-30F temps, unless I am understanding this wrong.
 
For a good, inexpensive oil with low viscosity for your temperature concerns, have a look at Havoline 5W30. For 20-30F, any 5W30 will be more than adequate.
 
Originally Posted By: Tim H.
Cold flow, actually. I did. not include 0W weights bcs I'm getting the impression on the forum that 0W's flow about the same as 5W's at the 20-30F temps, unless I am understanding this wrong.
Not always. It depends on a variety of factors. "Thin" can mean more than one thing, and not just because of temperature: there's actually more than one kind of viscosity. One example of how this plays out in weird ways: Mobil 1 AFE 0w-30 vs. Red Line 5w-30. The Mobil 1 is "thicker" in that it has fractionally higher kinematic viscosity numbers. But it's also "thinner" in that it has better cold pumpability numbers (0w vs. 5w) and a lower HTHS viscosity. The point is, "thicker" and "thinner" don't really say much, which is why people resist using those terms. The best thing to do is to figure out what your goal is and go from there. Are you looking for the best possible cold pumpability? If so, look at CCS and MRV numbers. Do you want the least amount of drag in your bearings? If so, look at HTHS viscosity numbers.
 
Originally Posted By: Tim H.
Cold flow, actually. I did. not include 0W weights bcs I'm getting the impression on the forum that 0W's flow about the same as 5W's at the 20-30F temps, unless I am understanding this wrong.
You're right, and since there is only one light OTC 0W-30 available; namely M1 AFE 0W-30, it's worth considering but it isn't any lighter at 32F than M1 5W-30 which is on par with most other 5W-30 synthetics. So my advise is to choose the the cheapest 5W-30 syn available, just make sure it has a VI of at least 170 as most do.
 
Are you under warranty? I would just move to 20 weights if thin is what you want. The line between them is just a designation difference of what to "call it"
 
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Are you under warranty? I would just move to 20 weights if thin is what you want. The line between them is just a designation difference of what to "call it"
That didn't take long...
 
Not under warrenty on either vehicle. One has 155K and the other has 75K. Both V6 ( 2.7L and 3.3L). Just wish the 0W flowed better at cold weight than a 5W in the temps. I'm just kinda interested in how thinner oils will run in these vehicles.
 
Originally Posted By: Tim H.
Not under warrenty on either vehicle. One has 155K and the other has 75K. Both V6 ( 2.7L and 3.3L). Just wish the 0W flowed better at cold weight than a 5W in the temps. I'm just kinda interested in how thinner oils will run in these vehicles.
oilburner crush
 
HTHS is what really defines the effect that on oil has on fuel economy. API specs require a minimum HTHS of 2.9cP for 30-weight oils. M1 0w30 has HTHS of 3.0, and if it shears 3.3%, it will be right at the low limit. That's close enough for me to consider that I have the "thinnest" 30-weight possible. Or if you want to push it to get down to 2.9 at the initial fill, mix in 25% M1 0w20.
 
Originally Posted By: A_Harman
HTHS is what really defines the effect that on oil has on fuel economy. API specs require a minimum HTHS of 2.9cP for 30-weight oils. M1 0w30 has HTHS of 3.0, and if it shears 3.3%, it will be right at the low limit. That's close enough for me to consider that I have the "thinnest" 30-weight possible. Or if you want to push it to get down to 2.9 at the initial fill, mix in 25% M1 0w20.
I do something similar on the Camry. Any more and the cars old age shows up. Valve cover weeps, oil pan weeps, valve seals puff. Runs great though.
 
Originally Posted By: A_Harman
HTHS is what really defines the effect that on oil has on fuel economy. API specs require a minimum HTHS of 2.9cP for 30-weight oils. M1 0w30 has HTHS of 3.0, and if it shears 3.3%, it will be right at the low limit. That's close enough for me to consider that I have the "thinnest" 30-weight possible. Or if you want to push it to get down to 2.9 at the initial fill, mix in 25% M1 0w20.
That's one method, but the real problem is that there no high VI light 0W-30 oils that are imported into NA. But we have high VI 0W-20s and 0W-40s. If you're into making you're own I suggest a 2 to 1 blend of Toyota 0W-20 and M1 0W-40 (they're both made by XOM). This will give you a 0W-30 with a 205 VI and HTHSV of 3.0cP. This 0W-30 blend will be more than 20% lighter at 32F than A_H's 0W-30 blend and 40% lighter than M1 0W-30.
 
Check out Peak 5W-30 Synthetic: very thin, $4.99/qt at AAP and $10 rebate on 6 qts (ends 2/15/12). I just bought my second 6 qts for another $10 rebate.
 
[quote=Blokey]Check out Peak 5W-30 Synthetic: very thin, /quote] You've presented no evidence that this oil is any thinner than any other 5W-30 synthetic oil. We don't know the HTHSV of it but it's 164 VI is below average for a syn oil so this oil is likely thicker at 0C than most 30wt syn's.
 
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