What would you do?

[Pat in Kentuckiana]

Here's the scoop. During last year's Auto Zone liquidation of various Mobil 1 grades, I picked up 3 quarts of 0W-30. I'm probably going to use it for this winter's change in my '93 Caprice. Since 0w30 is nowhere to be found, I need 2 quarts of something else to bring it up to 5 quarts. Since I want to keep it in the Mobil 1 family here's my question: Of these two, which would you go with :
--Mobil 1 5w30
--Mobil 1 0W-40

Since some will ask, the Caprice has 223K miles and I don't have to add any between changes (5K OCI). It typically gets Trop Artic XW-30.

 

[TR3-2001SE]

5w30 would be the best match with 0-30. You would never notice any difference.

 

[Mitch Alsup]

5w30 M1 is so close to 0w30 M1, that is possible for Mobil to make large batches of this stuff. the batches that turn out a little thick can go into 5w30 bottles, the batches that come out a little thin can go into 0w30 bottles, and the batches that come out just right can go into either bottle.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

0W-40. You want to keep the OWs together. If viscosity worries you, then drop down to 0W-20 blend.

 

[KJA426]

I'd go with the 5w30 personally.

 

[Pat in Kentuckiana]

777,
That is why I posed this question. I didn't know if it was better to keep the 0's together or the 30's together.

 

[Curious Kid]

I don't see why one would find it neccessary to maintain the 0w when mixing, unless one wishes to retain this cold flow spec.

Mixing with 5w30 would be no trouble, as long as you haven't experienced any consumption issues with 30 weight M1 in your application. Otherwise, mix it with the 40 weight.

Happy Holidays

 

[Titan]

Well, at least the advice you got covered all the possibilities! So, NOW how do you choose? I'd make a suggestion, but, they've all been made...and I'm not a tribologist. Good luck on whatever you decide (I'm betting it will be OK no matter what you do with the choices presented).

 

[Pat in Kentuckiana]

Titan--I think I'll go with one of both.

 

[rg144]

I would be saving the 0w-40 for summer months and therefore would pick the 5w30. Either can handle you winters.

 

[Blue99]

quote:

---

You want to keep the OWs together.

---

I'm not really sure what this means, but it makes a great phrase.

Kinda like it belongs in a western movie:

"Keep yer powder dry and yer 0W's together!

The Mobil 1 0w30 & 5w30 mix seems to make the most sense as these oils have similar properties, in effect the mix would generate a Mobil 1 5w30 with slightly better sub-zero performance.

Mobil 1 0W-40 seems to be a different formulation than the rest of the Mobil 1 line, with a tendency to shear. It may utilize viscosity improvers.

Regardless, the Mobil 1 0W-40 is a thicker, 14.3 cSt @ 100C, oil and with a 3.6 HTHS, is A3 rated.

So, unless the goal is to thicken up the full operating temp viscosity, the Mobil 1 0w30 & 5w30 blend seems to be a better option.

 

[caprice_2nv]

A 305 Caprice can actually run without any oil in it for short trips