Gents,
I'm posting the results of an OA on GC 0W-30 "gold." I think this test will rest the concerns that many have over the "gold" vs. "green" GC. Since I'm computer impaired, I could not transfer the original Adobe file to the BITOG forum. Sorry about that. However, I've re-keyed the results and they appear below.
Here's a couple of additional thoughts:
This is a "tough" test. Tougher than most, I think. I've not seen a long mileage test (7800 miles)where significant towing (>4000 miles) was involved. It involved high ambient temps, higher than regular RPM (for this car), lots of idle time, and long hours of operation every day.
The '04 Sienna is rated to tow 3500lb. The travel trailer is a 17' Trail-Cruiser hybrid. The "all up" trailer weight is guesstimated to be about 3300 lbs. In addition, it has the frontal area of a slightly slanted barn door which adds an additional "load" to the tow. If gas mileage can be used to judge the extra weight and wind load this trailer puts on the Sienna, then it is considerable and it increases the faster you go. Mileage is reduced approximately 50% at 60MPH from a usual 22-25 (highway) to 11-13!
Ambient temperatures ranged from mid 60F to at least 102F as we traveled from Maryland to mid-Texas twice. I measured the oil temps occasionally by "shooting" a drop of oil on the end of the dipstick with my infrared thermometer. (Crude but effective, Captain!) At no time did I see an oil temperature higher than about 195F, which is consistant with the opening temperature of the coolant thermostat. Exactly, what you should see on a well designed water cooled engine.
Towing RPMs were generally about 22- 2400 at 50/55MPH or higher if going up hills. Then the RPM could be as high as 3700 - >4000 for several minutes at a time. The transmission was allowed to shift itself and I attempted to maintain the highest gear and lowest RPM consistant with 55-60-65mph depending on the road conditions.
"Green" or "gold" elves are good!!! I'm impressed with GC!!! It works as designed. So good, in fact, that I replaced it with GC "green" (YEA!!!)and I'm ready to change out my Turbo Beetle to Castrol's German Car formula 0W-40.
OK...here's the results!
TEST PERFORMED BY: Brookstone Labs
EQUIPMENT MAKE: Toyota Sienna Van
EQUIPMENT MODEL: 3.3L V-6 (3MZFE)
FUEL TYPE: Gasoline (Unleaded)
OIL USE INTERVAL: 7,840 Miles
OIL TYPE & GRADE: Castrol 0W/30 German (Amber)
MAKE-UP OIL ADDED: 0 qts
MI ON OIL: 7,840 UNIT AVG UNIVERSAL AVG
MI ON UNIT: 15,384
SAMPLE DATE: 7/17/05
REPORT DATE: 7/27/05
ADDITIONAL INFO: About 4,000 miles of the 5,840 miles were driven while towing a 3,300 lb “hybrid” travel trailer. Toyota OEM oil filter was used during this OC interval. Previous oil changes were performed at approximately 1000 and 7500 miles using Valvoline 5W-30 synthetic oil. Sienna used no oil during this period.
COMMENTS:
JIM: This oil was put into use when the engine was still fairly new, so we think a lot of the high wear and silicon we found here is a result of that, rather than a problem. High wear is from break-in of new parts. Silicon is from sealers and sand cast parts and will eventually drop as well. Universal Averages show normal wear from this type of engine after about 7,800 miles on the oil. The TBN was still okay at 2.6. 1.0 is low. The viscosity was a little high and may show the oil is starting to breakdown. Try 8,500-9,000 miles on the next oil. We'll watch wear and the viscosity.
[ September 25, 2005, 04:51 PM: Message edited by: 59 Vetteman ]
I'm posting the results of an OA on GC 0W-30 "gold." I think this test will rest the concerns that many have over the "gold" vs. "green" GC. Since I'm computer impaired, I could not transfer the original Adobe file to the BITOG forum. Sorry about that. However, I've re-keyed the results and they appear below.
Here's a couple of additional thoughts:
This is a "tough" test. Tougher than most, I think. I've not seen a long mileage test (7800 miles)where significant towing (>4000 miles) was involved. It involved high ambient temps, higher than regular RPM (for this car), lots of idle time, and long hours of operation every day.
The '04 Sienna is rated to tow 3500lb. The travel trailer is a 17' Trail-Cruiser hybrid. The "all up" trailer weight is guesstimated to be about 3300 lbs. In addition, it has the frontal area of a slightly slanted barn door which adds an additional "load" to the tow. If gas mileage can be used to judge the extra weight and wind load this trailer puts on the Sienna, then it is considerable and it increases the faster you go. Mileage is reduced approximately 50% at 60MPH from a usual 22-25 (highway) to 11-13!
Ambient temperatures ranged from mid 60F to at least 102F as we traveled from Maryland to mid-Texas twice. I measured the oil temps occasionally by "shooting" a drop of oil on the end of the dipstick with my infrared thermometer. (Crude but effective, Captain!) At no time did I see an oil temperature higher than about 195F, which is consistant with the opening temperature of the coolant thermostat. Exactly, what you should see on a well designed water cooled engine.
Towing RPMs were generally about 22- 2400 at 50/55MPH or higher if going up hills. Then the RPM could be as high as 3700 - >4000 for several minutes at a time. The transmission was allowed to shift itself and I attempted to maintain the highest gear and lowest RPM consistant with 55-60-65mph depending on the road conditions.
"Green" or "gold" elves are good!!! I'm impressed with GC!!! It works as designed. So good, in fact, that I replaced it with GC "green" (YEA!!!)and I'm ready to change out my Turbo Beetle to Castrol's German Car formula 0W-40.
OK...here's the results!
TEST PERFORMED BY: Brookstone Labs
EQUIPMENT MAKE: Toyota Sienna Van
EQUIPMENT MODEL: 3.3L V-6 (3MZFE)
FUEL TYPE: Gasoline (Unleaded)
OIL USE INTERVAL: 7,840 Miles
OIL TYPE & GRADE: Castrol 0W/30 German (Amber)
MAKE-UP OIL ADDED: 0 qts
MI ON OIL: 7,840 UNIT AVG UNIVERSAL AVG
MI ON UNIT: 15,384
SAMPLE DATE: 7/17/05
REPORT DATE: 7/27/05
ADDITIONAL INFO: About 4,000 miles of the 5,840 miles were driven while towing a 3,300 lb “hybrid” travel trailer. Toyota OEM oil filter was used during this OC interval. Previous oil changes were performed at approximately 1000 and 7500 miles using Valvoline 5W-30 synthetic oil. Sienna used no oil during this period.
COMMENTS:
JIM: This oil was put into use when the engine was still fairly new, so we think a lot of the high wear and silicon we found here is a result of that, rather than a problem. High wear is from break-in of new parts. Silicon is from sealers and sand cast parts and will eventually drop as well. Universal Averages show normal wear from this type of engine after about 7,800 miles on the oil. The TBN was still okay at 2.6. 1.0 is low. The viscosity was a little high and may show the oil is starting to breakdown. Try 8,500-9,000 miles on the next oil. We'll watch wear and the viscosity.
[ September 25, 2005, 04:51 PM: Message edited by: 59 Vetteman ]