winter reccomendation for 96 vw jetta?

[will1780]

car has about 100k on the odometer. I used 15w40 in the warmer months, but here in New England winter is right around the corner and i need to start thinking about what brand and weight i'm gonna have to use in this vehicle.

96 vw jetta
4 cyl a/t
driven about 30 miles a day on hwy.
plan on doing a 3.5-4k oci

 

[will1780]

Andy, would 10w-30 work in this engine? I've heard some good things about M1 5w-40 but i have about 3 cases of castrol gtx that i would like to put to use asap? Thanks for the help

 

[Drew99GT]

If it routinely gets below 0, go with a 5w. Otherwise, 10w-30 will work fine.

 

[Bill in Utah]

In the winter months I ran 5w-30 dino oil in my 1986 VW jetta.

It's just turned 250k and still running great and passing Smog everytime.

Take care, Bill

 

[Whimsey]

I had a 1985 Golf, 1.8L 4 cyl, darn I loved that car

, that I ran 10W-30 Castrol GTX year round and never encountered winter starting problems. I'm in Northern NJ with a similar climate to you in Conn. I owned the car from 1985 to 1995. Maybe in the coldest days of winter the cranking was a bit "slower". But since you already have the 10W-30 go for it. It may crank a "bit" slower on the very coldest days but overall you should fine. Today's 5W-30's are better but since you already have the 10W-30 use it

.

Whimsey

 

[AndyH]

How about M1 5w-40? 5-quart jugs available at Wal-Mart for about $20.

 

[Willy_G]

Trop Artic/Kendal/MotorCraft 10 or 5w30. Cold flow is great with these 'semi-syns'...and TA is a good $$ deal.