Why only 40 or 50 Grade?

[OpelFever]

I would not worry too much about the "thick" oils, they have been the norm here in scandinavia and europe with no problems for decades.
Back in the 70's and 80's when bad oils, dusty roads and cold winters where taking their toll on engines, Mobil 1 5w-50 was widely considered the best oil money could buy. Dealerships used it in all cars and DIY-people in the know would buy nothing else for their cars. It worked well despite the fact that it's too thick by BITOG standars, especially in scandinavia.

If price is not your main concern and you want good cold flow, you really cant go wrong with Mobil 1 0w-40 with it's VI of 185. A HTHS of 3.8 will be more than adequate for any high-temp abuse it may sustain.

 

[Cristobal]

Since they are multigrades you are fine. Given Dubai's temperatures I doubt any will be too thick on startup, ever. A 10W-40 weight will cause no harm either, nor any oil that has an upper weight of 50. I don't think the frequent startups are any issue with these oils in your climate. Personally, I would stick with the 40 and call it a day.

From what you said, the main hazard to your vehicle would be fine abrasive matter in the air, especially on days when it may not be as humid as it usually is in Dubai, and especially in heavy traffic. I read that Dubai gets the occasional sandstorm from the south, and sand thus deposited on the road will get ground down into very fine abrasive dust before it moves off to the shoulder area.

What filters do you use?

 

[AEHaas]

These may help you understand the issue, the first one is more complete:

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/faq.php?faq=new_faq_item#faq_haas_articles
Motor Oil Articles

Original article, but edited by others:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-101/

aehaas

 

[mechtech2]

Right.

A multigrade 40 is WAY different than a straight 40!

 

[Cristobal]

In Dubai, I think even a straight 40 would do no harm, as it is generally warm to hot there in the Gulf.

 

[fxrider]

Originally Posted By: dxbMercury
Thanks Shannow.

I can get the M1 0W-40 or Havoline 5W-30.

The Havoline been the only 30 grade I could find.

Cheers,

Paul
You could run Mobil-1 20W50 in that Climate.

 

[Drivebelt]

Quote:
I live in the Middle East and there are lube stops at most servos but the predominate grade is 40 or 50 only.

What are your thoughts on why that might be?


It's the base oils -- Group II/III vs Group I. A majority of the worlds base oil production is solvent refined Group I. This includes Russia, India, China, Africa, South America, portions of East Aisa and the Middle East. Even as of 5 years ago (2007) Europe had comparatively little Group II base oil production, although, things are changing with quite quickly with new Group II/III plants in China, Russia, India and possibly elsewhere springing up.

The reason they use thicker motor oils in many parts of the world (particularly the conventional oils) is that Group I base oils in the thinner grades cannot meet the latest specifications (ie. … blending a 5W with Group I). If you go to Elf's international site, they don’t even list a conventional oil lower than a 15W (15W-40). Blending a 5W-30 or even a 10W-30 with Group I doesn't leave you with a very good motor oil (high NOACK and not very good oxidative stability). So, they blend the heavier viscosity oils to try and make the Group I based motor oils as robust as possible … 15W-40's, 20W-50's …etc. Many parts of the world where the climate is hot also don't need the cold properties of a 5W or even a 10W, and since the cost of synthetics is high, the heavier Group I conventional motor oils will predominate.

The Group II base oils represent a revolution in quality (compared to Group I) from thermal/oxidative POV. That's why Ford can spec a 5W-20 conventional here in North America for their F-150, and if someone is towing a 5000lb trailer in 110F weather the oil holds up no problem. You wouldn't want to do that for very long with a 5W-30 made from Group I base oils.

One solution to these heavier Group I motor oils (they will have old spec's) is to find the lowest cost synthetic you can find. That Havoline 30 grade synthetic wold be preferable to the heavier Group I base motor oils.

The other solution would be to try and find a Group II based 15W-40. It would have the latest CJ-4 spec's. or possibly CI-4+. Something like Delo 400 15W-40 (label might mention ISOSYN) --- and it would probably be imported too. Or Shell may have something along that line too.

 

[ledslinger]

Nice post Drivebelt.

 

[dxbMercury]

Ah, yes, that explanation makes sense Drivebelt.

But still not sure why all of the synthetics in Dubai are of the 40 or 50 grade also.

I still can't help but think that there is a mindset that prevails based on an outdated requirement that should now be re thought considering the advances in oil technology.

I'm going to experiment a little and will post the results.

Thanks all for your replies.

 

[dxbMercury]

Originally Posted By: Cristobal
Since they are multigrades you are fine. Given Dubai's temperatures I doubt any will be too thick on startup, ever. A 10W-40 weight will cause no harm either, nor any oil that has an upper weight of 50. I don't think the frequent startups are any issue with these oils in your climate. Personally, I would stick with the 40 and call it a day.

From what you said, the main hazard to your vehicle would be fine abrasive matter in the air, especially on days when it may not be as humid as it usually is in Dubai, and especially in heavy traffic. I read that Dubai gets the occasional sandstorm from the south, and sand thus deposited on the road will get ground down into very fine abrasive dust before it moves off to the shoulder area.

What filters do you use?


Just the standard Ford gear at the moment.
I have an Amsoil Eao11 Absolute Efficiency Oil filter to be installed at the next change but I'm not able to source the Amsoil air filter. I can't get the Amsoil oil in Dubai either.
The BMW is home in Australia where I can source Amsoil but I'm not game to try to transport that much oil back to Dubai.