10w-40 instead of 5w-30 okay mechanic says?

[VK56VD]

the vehicle has 143k on it. it is def. burning oil as I top it off for her with 5w-30. are there long term effects in using 10w-40 instead of 5w-30. Most internet research I have done shows no negatives in warm climates. In the winter a thinner oil is preferred due to better start up flow qualities.

p.s. no way in - - - - - - am I getting a minivan any time soon even though the toyota sinenna awd vans drive great and are a great alternative to suv's and provide more room and comfort for the passengers.

 

[Camu Mahubah]

Maryland gets cold in the winter, why not use 5w-40. It is out there if you look. Try Valvoline Synpower.

 

[Merkava_4]

Just think of 10W-40 as being along the same lines as an adhesive with gap filling capability.

 

[VK56VD]

so why would one use a 5w-30HM vs. a 10w-40 which seems to do the same thing?

 

[HM12460]

time for a new mechanic.

 

[onion]

That mechanic is protecting his own interests and the girlfriend's interests. It absolutely will not hurt anything to run 10w40... and considering that we're talking about a Saturn with a female driver (who, by definition, does NOT check the oil), it could prevent an engine failure. I think she's taking her car to a wise man.

 

[VK56VD]

Update:

The car seems to be burning less oil with 10w-40 and 1500 miles into the oil change, the oil is still between the full and low mark. This is pretty good for a Saturn that is prone to oil burning by nature.

On another note, what I find strange is that the shop where I take this Saturn to only uses 10w-40 bulk. They put this in vehicles that spec 10w-30, 5w-30, 5w-20, etc...

It seems the customers never question this. By the way, this is at a Shell station so I'm assuming it is Shell 10w-40 formula in the tank?

 

[mazduh30]

My wife owns a 94 Saturn (96,000 miles). I have always and still use 5W30 in it. I am one of the lucky ones, it doesn't burn oil.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

For Maryland's winter, I would find another station to change my oil - then not exceed 10W-30 viscosity for the winter months. Most wear is at startup. You can use 10W-40, but it's more beneficial not to. I would rather have a little consumption - than increased parts wear.

 

[Auto-Union]

10-w40 is pretty good for MD winter, although changing to 5w-30 for winter is a bit preferable. If the mechanic is "into" the oils viscs he or she uses, I'm shure they would be fine with putting a 5w-30 hi-miles for her, if requested & provided.

 

[wgtoys]

Going to a slightly heavier oil on a high mileage engine which is having consumption problems is a pretty good band aid. It isn't going to fix anything, but it will make living with the problem a little easier.

The mechanic is making a good suggestion. I'm sure that if he insisted it was time for an engine rebuild people would be calling him all sorts of bad names!

 

[teaelle]

there's only about 5% difference in gas mileage, not a big deal

and 10W-40 is not that thick, which is good to use, i use Amsoil 10W-40 in my Civic