Quick engine oil questions

Chiggles · Post by **Chiggles** » May 5th, 2005, 12:06 pm

I know this is probably more of a topic suited to be in the V6 or the General Forums, but this is location specific that I'm more concerned about. I realize 5w30 is better for colder climates, and 10w30 better for warmer. So my question is this:

For those of you in Alberta, what kind of oil are you running year round? I bought my Precidia in November and had it winterized then so it runs 5w30 on it right now, but since I should be changing it again for the spring/summer, should I put 10w30 in given how hot our summers can get, or will 5w30 be good enough for even 34°C weather??

....And while I'm on the subject, I've heard through these boards that although switching to synthetic would be better for performance, there is a risk that I'll have more problems with leaks cuz the additives eat through the minerals caked around the gasket seals or something like that. So... how exactly do I know whether or not a 95 vehicle can handle synth or not besides trial and error? I'm pretty sure synth's never been in the car before, since I'm only the 3rd owner of the vehicle and I know the previous 2 didn't race with it or anything like that.

Basically, since I'm due for an oil change, is 5w30 good enough year round in Alberta weather, or should I go to 10w30 for the spring/summer and back to 5w30 in the fall/winter? Do I stick to non-synth or try switching to synth??? Please help!

monstar-mx-3 · Post by **monstar-mx-3** » May 5th, 2005, 4:13 pm

When i was in Winnipeg, I was running 5-30 year round. The temp out there go from -35 to + 35 in the summer.

But now that i'm out in BC, I'm running 10w30 because the winters are that cold as they are in AB to MB.

solo_ryder · Post by **solo_ryder** » May 5th, 2005, 4:42 pm

it depends where u are...we had a cold snap here and I was super carefull so I put 5W 30 jus tto be safe, I like how it ran, but for summer maybe a thicker oil cause it will be heating up faster and run harder.

Shades · Post by **Shades** » May 7th, 2005, 9:54 pm

I like to run 5W-30... just cause it's more runnier and gets up the hydrolic lifter quicker than 10W-30.

I also use Higher Mileage oil and an oil supplement to keep the tarnish off the lifters... keeps it from running noisy.

wyldside · Post by **wyldside** » May 9th, 2005, 4:03 pm

I'd recommend going with a 10W-40 for the summer. This will run nicely with GS especially with road trips. When winter draws near and the temperatures begin to drop, use either a 5W-30 or 10W-30 if you like. The 5W-30 would be better for our nice -40 Deg mornings. If you go with Full Synthetic use Amsoil 20W-50 for the summer and their 0W-40 for Winter. These values are not good in most other brands of synthetic oil since Amsoil has a really low temp pour rate that most can not compair to. I will be using Amsoil 20W-50 full synthetic on my KLZE this summer.

jschrauwen · Post by **jschrauwen** » May 19th, 2005, 12:53 am

wyldside wrote:I'd recommend going with a 10W-40 for the summer. This will run nicely with GS especially with road trips. When winter draws near and the temperatures begin to drop, use either a 5W-30 or 10W-30 if you like. The 5W-30 would be better for our nice -40 Deg mornings. If you go with Full Synthetic use Amsoil 20W-50 for the summer and their 0W-40 for Winter. These values are not good in most other brands of synthetic oil since Amsoil has a really low temp pour rate that most can not compair to. I will be using Amsoil 20W-50 full synthetic on my KLZE this summer.

James, since you did a complete rebuild on the ZE, did that include valve seals. If so than the full synthetic I think would be a good choice. If not than It may be prudent to stay away from a synthetic, again depending on condition of vale seals. Depending on age/miles on ZE, possibility of blow by on the valve seals may increase with the use of synthetic. Tunes and I talkes at length on this, this past weekend.
20w50, that's some pretty heavy (thick) stuff. You must be planning on some serious racing or something.

wyldside · Post by **wyldside** » May 19th, 2005, 8:24 am

I did replace the valve seal (even though I really didn't need too - they were still pretty good). The Amsoil 20W-50 Series 2000 is pretty good for engines that run a little hotter than average. The Amsoil version of 20W-50 seams to have some pretty good specs to it. I think it will run quite nicely for the summer. I'll see how it works out.

chertel · Post by **chertel** » July 14th, 2005, 11:11 am

I add lucas oil stabilizer with 5w-30 synthetic but next oil change I think I'll try amsoil 20w-50. Thanx for the advice.