5W-30 oils with a very low pour point

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Sep 13, 2014
Messages
444
Location
Switzerland
Hello everyone,

I've noticed that some of the 5W-30 oils have a very low pour point which is typically seen with 0w weight. For example,

1. Valvoline SynPower ENV C2 5W-30 (made in Netherlands) (SM/SN, A1/A5, RN0700) has a pour point of -51 C (-60 F) according to http://www.valvolineeurope.com/english/products/engine_oils/synpower/cid(9495)/synpower_env_c2_5w-30

2. Valvoline SynPower 5W-30 (made in Netherlands) (SL/CF, A3/B4, MB 229.5, VW 50200/50500) has a pour point of -45 C (-49 F) according to http://www.valvolineeurope.com/english/products/engine_oils/synpower/cid(7536)/synpower_5w-30

3. Valvoline SynPower 5W-30 (made in Netherlands) (SL/CF, A1/A5, Ford WSS-M2C913-D) has a pour point of -48 C (-54 F) according to http://www.valvolineeurope.com/english/products/engine_oils/synpower/cid(7545)/synpower_fe_5w-30

4. Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W-30 (SM/SN, MB 229.51, 50400/50700) has a pour point of -45 C (-49 F) according to http://pds.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil_1_ESP_Formula_5W-30.aspx

On the other hand, other well-known oils from Shell or Castrol do not have such numbers:

1. Shell Helix Ultra 5W-30 (A3/B4, MB 229.6) has a pour point of -39 C (-38.2 F) according to http://hand.net.pl/wp-content/uploads/20...4_en-GB_TDS.pdf

2. Castrol Edge 5W-30 (C3, MB 229.51) has a pour point of -42 C (-43.6 F) according to http://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/Fusion...AY-8K5DW3_0.pdf

Now, what is surprising is to see Helix Ultra which is using GTL not having any outstanding pour point numbers. I presume as long as oil is produced from a base oil with a lot of PAO, the pour point will be outstanding, which is not necessary the truth when it comes to GTL base oils. Am I right in this assumption?
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the info and I would agree w your assumption. I think that only matters to people who live in the most harsh (well below freezing) conditions. All 5w30 is plenty good for 99% of us.
 
Hello pscholte,
Originally Posted By: pscholte
Good afternoon, volodymyr. This might be more than you wanted to know: http://oil-additives.evonik.com/product/oil-additives/Documents/ppd-treatise-en.pdf It is all about pour point depressants. Haven't been to Switzerland lately but I love the place.


Thanks for an interesting info. In other words, you can still avoid using expensive PAO base oils and use PAMA pour point depressants instead assuming it will be effective and cheaper.
 
Last edited:
barkingspider,

Originally Posted By: barkingspider
Thanks for the info and I would agree w your assumption. I think that only matters to people who live in the most harsh (well below freezing) conditions. All 5w30 is plenty good for 99% of us.


I presume you are right. OTOH, if you have two oils for the same price with the same approvals and one has better pour point, I think it will make sense to choose the one with the best PP, right?
 
Originally Posted By: volodymyr
Hello pscholte,
Originally Posted By: pscholte
Good afternoon, volodymyr. This might be more than you wanted to know: http://oil-additives.evonik.com/product/oil-additives/Documents/ppd-treatise-en.pdf It is all about pour point depressants. Haven't been to Switzerland lately but I love the place.


Thanks for an interesting info. In other words, you can still avoid using expensive PAO base oils and use PAMA pour point depressants instead assuming it will be effective and cheaper.


Even PAO oils use PPD. look at the mobil blending guide. Could be because of the mineral oil used to get the additives in liquid form?
 
Originally Posted By: volodymyr
barkingspider,

Originally Posted By: barkingspider
Thanks for the info and I would agree w your assumption. I think that only matters to people who live in the most harsh (well below freezing) conditions. All 5w30 is plenty good for 99% of us.


I presume you are right. OTOH, if you have two oils for the same price with the same approvals and one has better pour point, I think it will make sense to choose the one with the best PP, right?


That's what I did. Lowest pour point and highest flash point.
 
Hello Jetronic,

Originally Posted By: Jetronic
That's what I did. Lowest pour point and highest flash point.


Same here. In fact according to the following video published by Liqui Moly it takes ~8 seconds until 5W-30 oil starts to circulate fully in an engine: http://www.liqui-moly.com/liquimoly/web.nsf/id/pa_us_domb8bakrw.html. I wish they would specify the temperature under which the oil flows.

That means: if you are starting your car in not so harsh conditions, for example, -5 C (-23 F) you will have more wear on an oil whose pour point is not very low. Correct?

If this correct it effectively means that if you have two oils with the same price, same approvals, the one with the lower pour point will provide you more wear protection event in temperate climates (I consider -5 C or -23 F a temperate climate).
 
Last edited:
No, I go for the low pour point/high flash point as it's (one of the signs) of a high viscosity index base oil, and less use of VII. Of course, I can't tell what VII type or quality was used, but let's just say it'll be in line with the price of the base oils.

As long as you stay above the W-rating temperature, there's no real difference in how fast an oil reaches the remotest parts of the engine. But the W-rating is allowed to slip a grade in use so I'd pick at least 2 grades below the coldest expected temperature. the liqui moly video just wants to tell you that you need to pick a low enough winter rating for the conditions

Once you get to 0w winter rating, and it's not low enough, the only thing to go by is pour point. Nobody tests oils below their winter rating.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top