Vacation in the cold synthetic this time?

[Jake777]

I'm from Florida so it doesn't get cold here but we're planning on going up to NC in the mountains for a week or so where I know it gets below freezing and the van will be sitting outside the cabin with no shelter. I remember one time we were up there for the winter I had a hard time cranking it up one morning. I don't know if that was due to the battery being old and cold or the VWB oil I was running. So I usually run Maxlife 5-30 but was wondering if there would be any noticeable difference if I ran the full synthetic version of Maxlife for this run. Or just don't bother. Again any experience from you guys who know something about below 40 degree weather. Thanks

 

[SatinSilver]

You'll be fine. Maybe turn the headlights on for 10 seconds to wake up the battery. Turn them off and crank. ML in full syn doesn't even make a 0w20 or 0w30 I don't believe.

 

[kschachn]

Wake up the battery? That's a new one.

 

[WobblyElvis]

I live in a climate where I see much lower temps than NC. I just changed my oil and put in conventional 5w30 just like %90 of my neighbors. I don't think you need to change anything.

 

[Branson304]

You'll be fine. I've been starting up my Fusion with MaxLife Blend 5W-20 down to 5 degrees here in WV & it's perfectly fine. No strange noises & turns right over. The battery was likely your issue before. Winter mornings are usually teens or lower 20s here & I've had no issues down to just under 0 even with conventional oils, although I know synthetics are much better for that situation.

 

[Nick1994]

You'd probably be fine with some 20w50 with NC weather.

5w30 is far more than adequate.

 

[Bluestream]

plug in the block heater and you're fine...

 

[CT8]

Below 0*f is cold.

 

[Donald]

Until you get down to single digits or below you do not notice slow cold weather cranking.

Today's cars with EFI and electronic ignition do not have the same issues our 1960 cars had with respect to not starting easily.

Now if you have a weak old battery or other engine issues, get them taken care of before going to NC.

 

[Donald]

Cold is below 0F.

Really cold is -273 Kelvin.

 

[53' Stude]

0 Fahrenheit is NOT cold. I work in and out of it and trust me it's not that bad. People need to know how to dress for it.

 

[53' Stude]

I would use say M1 0w20AFE or M1 5w20. Let's ask TIG1 what is cold

 

[Indydriver]

I've got two vehicles sitting outside and I'll be [censored] if they don't start tomorrow morning at a forecast -3F.

 

[mclasser]

Lol 40 degrees is nothing. Throw some name brand dino oil in there and call it a day.

 

[Jake777]

Ok. One morning it was like -5 outside but that was the worst night. Thanks all

 

[Warstud]

Probably not notice a difference. But if your do for an oil change...go for it. It will at least clean up the motor.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: CT8
Below 0*f is cold.

I think you missed a digit, did you mean to say "Below 40F is cold" ?

Luckily I live in So Cal, we rarely see temp below 40F during day light so the cars can run on 10Wxx or 15Wxx all year.

 

[spasm3]

You will be fine, it won't be cold enough that any 5w30 won't do. Run what you like and don't worry. Have fun

 

[JC1]

Just leave it in. Let the vehicle idle for a few minutes before driving. Make sure you have booster cables incase your battery can't handle the cold weather.

 

[panther427]

You will be fine with your current oil. I have maxlife 5w-30 in my 99 suburban. It hasn't had any problems in the several -10 Fahrenheit mornings we have had recently