Underwhelmed by 0w30 GC

Technarch · Dec 1, 2003

I just put some in a day or two ago mainly to see if it would make a difference in cold starts, I don't think it really does.

Impression is, yes this is a thick oil. Mobil 1 is a thick oil, felt like I was driving a brick. I used Mobil 1 once or twice, then switched to Canadian Tire full synth for at least the last 2 years which according to Patman here is made by Shell (Canadian Tire wouldn't tell me, how did you find out Patman?). I liked the Canadian Tire oil because it was thinner, and became thinner over time through lovely heat shearing. My engine revved better, I could accelerate better. I knew it wasn't the best on the market, but it felt fine.

Driving with the GC my engine feels slower and that it has to work harder, maybe a little noisier. Or maybe it's actually quieter and it's my new dunlop sport a2 tires which have a rep for being noisy that I am hearing better. All I know is I notice general noise more. Also noticed a lower gas gauge which would be in line with working harder.

I'll give it a chance though since I'm sure not paying for new oil till another 5000 km. The car's ECU is pretty used to a thin oil. Maybe it needs time to get used to a thicker one.

I think next time I will try a 5w20 and see how that is if things don't change in terms of ECU, etc.

For the record, my car is a Focus ZX3 using the 2.0 litre 16 DOHC Zetec engine and is one of the vehicles now fairly recently being specified as requiring 5w20 by Ford.

Patman · Dec 1, 2003

quote:

I used Mobil 1 once or twice, then switched to Canadian Tire full synth for at least the last 2 years which according to Patman here is made by Shell (Canadian Tire wouldn't tell me, how did you find out Patman?).

A friend of mine in my car club works for Imperial Oil, and they used to supply Canadian Tire with their oil until 2-3yrs ago, then they lost the contract to Shell.

Sin City · Dec 1, 2003

Next time try a thinner oil. Mobil 1 0W-30 is significantly thinner and has a HT/HS viscosity of only 2.99 cP as compared to the "German" Castrol Syntec 0W-30 HT/HS viscosity of >3.5 cP. The Mobil 1 0W-30 has the ACEA A5/B5 ratings as compared to the "German" Castrol Syntec 0W-30 ACEA ratings of A3/B3/B4. Also Mobil 1 0W-20 should work well if you can find it.

[ December 02, 2003, 06:27 AM: Message edited by: Sin City ]

Carlos Morillo · Dec 1, 2003

I had a similar experience when changing from Penzoil 5W20 (recommended weight) to Mobil1 5W30 in my 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis (Motorcraft Filter FL-820S)... Will be changing to Mobil1 0W20 next time.

I got German made Syntec for my Volvo S70 which is having rough starts but I'm not sure it will help, perhaps I should stick with Mobil1 5W30 for the winter and Mobil1 10W30 for the rest of the year.

TSoA · Dec 1, 2003

quote:

dunlop sport a2 tires which have a rep for being noisy

This statment, imo disqualifies everything else you said. A2s are SPOOKY quiet, and I've owned evry decent tire on the market.

...back to the drawing board.

John in the ATL · Dec 1, 2003

Carlos,

The GC 0w-30 should be good for the Volvo S70 in Hotlanta. For the Grand Marquis, go with the Motorcraft 5w-20 (good UOAs) for $1.99 at Autozone. The Mobil 1 0w-20 would be a good choice for the Great White North.

quote:

Originally posted by TSoA:
[QB]

dunlop sport a2 tires which have a rep for being noisy

Click to expand...

The Dunlop D60 A2 tire is the noisy and rough riding one. Consumer Reports loves/loved that tire. Go figure.

[ December 02, 2003, 11:14 AM: Message edited by: John in the ATL ]

Alex D · Dec 1, 2003

Reading your post, I think you would LOVE Royal Purple. They begin with thin oils and during the use it thins out even more, but it still provides the protection of a synthetic.

quote:

Originally posted by Technarch:
I just put some in a day or two ago mainly to see if it would make a difference in cold starts, I don't think it really does.

Impression is, yes this is a thick oil. Mobil 1 is a thick oil, felt like I was driving a brick. I used Mobil 1 once or twice, then switched to Canadian Tire full synth for at least the last 2 years which according to Patman here is made by Shell (Canadian Tire wouldn't tell me, how did you find out Patman?). I liked the Canadian Tire oil because it was thinner, and became thinner over time through lovely heat shearing. My engine revved better, I could accelerate better. I knew it wasn't the best on the market, but it felt fine.

Driving with the GC my engine feels slower and that it has to work harder, maybe a little noisier. Or maybe it's actually quieter and it's my new dunlop sport a2 tires which have a rep for being noisy that I am hearing better. All I know is I notice general noise more. Also noticed a lower gas gauge which would be in line with working harder.

I'll give it a chance though since I'm sure not paying for new oil till another 5000 km. The car's ECU is pretty used to a thin oil. Maybe it needs time to get used to a thicker one.

I think next time I will try a 5w20 and see how that is if things don't change in terms of ECU, etc.

For the record, my car is a Focus ZX3 using the 2.0 litre 16 DOHC Zetec engine and is one of the vehicles now fairly recently being specified as requiring 5w20 by Ford.

Carlos Morillo · Dec 1, 2003

I had a similar experience when changing from Penzoil 5W20 (recommended weight) to Mobil1 5W30 in my 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis (Motorcraft Filter FL-820S)... Will be changing to Mobil1 0W20 next time.

I got German made Syntec for my Volvo S70 which is having rough starts but I'm not sure it will help, perhaps I should stick with Mobil1 5W30 for the winter and Mobil1 10W30 for the rest of the year.

Carlos Morillo · Dec 1, 2003

Sorry about the repost, must be the back button.

What is the oil service interval for your Ford engine? I ask because a lot of people do not think that 5W20 can last 5000 miles, especially when used in hi-rev 4cyl engines.

Maybe syn. 5W20 @ 3k miles is a good compromise

tenderloin · Dec 1, 2003

As I posted previously, we put GC in my sons 2002 Focus 2.0 DOHC. It ran smooth and quiet BUT less mpg and butt dyno noticed a difference. Engine did not rev as freely.

We have mostly used Torco and Synergyn 0W-20 oils and the little 2.0 Zetec loves the "thin" oil. Now using Torcos new SR-1 Full synthetic 5W-20 (less than $5 qt online). So far so good!

BTW I continue to use GC in my (2) 4.6L and 4 .0L Fords. They run great with no noticeable drop in mpg or performance.

Drew99GT · Dec 1, 2003

The actual difference in the viscosities of all the oils that have been mentioned are not that great. Put 15w-40 or 20w-50 in and tell us how it feels. I'd rather have an oil that stays above at least 10 Cst. at 100 C, even if it seems like it produces less power, but in reality, if you took it to the drag strip, I doubt you'd see any difference whatsoever, adjusted for atmospheric conditions of course. Mobil 1 is THIN. I just had some 10w-30 M1 sitting outside in 5 degree F weather here alongside some pennzoil 5w-30 high mileage, and the 10w-30 Mobil 1 was clearly less viscous. When I top off with Mobil 1 when it very cold, the bottle doesn't even "glog"

as you pour it; it just drains out instantly compared to any dino I've used in cold weather.

3xSHO · Dec 1, 2003

Originally posted by Technarch:
[QB] I just put some in a day or two ago mainly to see if it would make a difference in cold starts, I don't think it really does.

Curious,Technarch, what are you using for oil filters? And, any significant changes in the weather temperatures after oil change?

I'm using GC 0W30 in our '90 and '98 SHO's...both with positive results and trying to keep all things equal with the change over from M1 5W30.
-30C here a little while ago...'90 started up just fine after sitting outside / block heater not plugged in. I've noticed on both vehicles oil pressure comes up much faster with no 'rattle' as before with M1 5W30 and FL1A filters. I admit to changing filters to K&N HP3001 and Baldwin B2-HPG. ...better oil or better flowing filters??

Technarch · Dec 1, 2003

Dr. T: hard to find yeah. I bought it from Canadian Tire, but had trouble finding it.

Alex D: I may very well try Royal Purple, I've never seen a Focus owner complain about it. But only if it's affordable. Canadian Tire carries Amsoil, but I don't buy it because it costs 1 bazillion dollars. For example, a 1 litre bottle of amsoil 0w30 there costs like $13 cdn, while the same weightgrade of GC costs $7 cdn. That's almost a 100% difference in price. 100% difference in performance? I doubt it. A bottle of Mobil 1 5w30 is somewhere between $4-5.50 I think off the top of my head.

I was surfing to different web pages and I came across a shell October 2003 PDF and I see they now make a full synthetic quaker state in 5w20. That might also be worth looking into. I've also heard that Motorcraft now offers a full synthetic 5w20 also, but I've also heard that it costs one bazillion dollars, $30 US a bottle or something I think, so that would disqualify it outright. Will have to verify this.

(offtopic)
TSoA: If you read messages at Tirerack you will see people complaining here and there about terrible tire noise.
Unfortunately, it is the H rated 195/60-15s I have. But no, no change in size.

sbc350gearhead · Dec 2, 2003

I used to have a Mazda MX-3, shod with Dunlop D60 A2's in 205/60-14's, and I loved them. They stuck like RTV in your hair......But they weren't the quietest tire that ever was. They rode kind of harsh, but that was probably due to the koni shocks more than the tires.

JohnBrowning · Dec 2, 2003

Hello guys, I wanted to add a few things o this post. I like thick oil and I am rev happy! I have variable valve timeing and variable lift. I live in Michigan. I am currently running 5W40 Redline witha an HT/HS number of 4.6 or 4.7. I have no problem starting my car and do not notice any extra drag. I well concide that 20 degrees is not that cold.

P.S. My engine parts are quite and well cushioned!!

sprintman · Dec 2, 2003

JB I'd run RL 5W40 in everything if I could aford it. Tyrolkids UOA convinced me it could handle anything.

buster · Dec 2, 2003

Don't forget that RL has a low Cf so using a RL 5w-40 isn't going to bog the engine down compared to a conventional 40wt oil. I think what many people notice is that your engine will like a particular viscosity oil and some will like all viscosities. M1 is thin and creates more noise as it's less dense. It's really just a viscosity issue as Terry has stated with all these oils.

Holden McRoin · Dec 2, 2003

quote:

Originally posted by Carlos Morillo:
I had a similar experience when changing from Penzoil 5W20 (recommended weight) to Mobil1 5W30 in my 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis (Motorcraft Filter FL-820S)... Will be changing to Mobil1 0W20 next time.

I got German made Syntec for my Volvo S70 which is having rough starts but I'm not sure it will help, perhaps I should stick with Mobil1 5W30 for the winter and Mobil1 10W30 for the rest of the year.

Sorry, but I just cannot understand why anyone living in a both hot and humid climate like Atlanta would use light oils, especially on a 8cyl!

Carlos Morillo · Dec 2, 2003

That's what Ford recommends... besides, the engine feels different now that I'm running M1 5W30

A good quality 5W20 (Motorcraft seems to be getting pretty good reviews) and 3k change intervals should do.

Dr. T · Dec 2, 2003

Am I missing something here? Mobil 1 a "thick oil"??? Next to Valvoline, M-1 seems to be the thinnest in it's respective grade of any other brand I've seen...certainly it pumps lower than ANY other oil. That's their slogan "pumps at temps. other oils are frozen solid". The noise and consumption issue talked about frequently here w.r.t this oil bear this out clearly.

As far as comparing it to GC...since 0-30 is not readily available in Canada, I'll speculate that you were referring to either 5-30 or 10-30. In this case, the GC will give better cold properties...but NOT at the temps. we've experienced thusfar (-5C). At normal engine operating temps, the GC will be thicker because of it's A3 protection rating. You need to give it time (and the esters contained within) to clean out the garbage you have in the engine. After this, you will NOT notice any difference in performance. And, yes the engine should be smoother overall.

As far as sluggishness....Did you by chance increase the tire/wheel size???? This may account for your observations 1. sluggish 2. noise

Underwhelmed by 0w30 GC

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