5W-30 or 10W30 for winter

[simple]

I get different opinions from just about everyone I ask. My owners manual says I can use either one as long as it's 0 degrees or above. My truck has 84,000 miles on it. I've heard some people say there's very little difference in the 5W or 10W and that I should run the 10W all year.

 

1998 Z71 5.7L

[ManiacLS1]

I use 5w30 in the winter and 10w30 in the summer. The 10w30 helps with the ticking noise but I feel safer running the thinner oil during the winter, especially on those cold starts.

[asepgrad98]

depends on how cold it gets where you live, In NC i run 10w30 year round. 10w30 will not shear down as fast and is preferable IMO.

[intruder217]

Depends on your vehicle too. Vortec motors are only suppposed to use 5w-30, or so I am told.

[Raymond Lowe]

Depends on your vehicle too.  Vortec motors are only suppposed to use 5w-30, or so I am told.

 

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I've used Mobil 1 5W30 for 8 years. Thought I might switch to the 10W30 now that it's getting older. I couldn't wait to dump it and go back to 5W30. Man, did it feel sluggish. I drive a stick and run up the RPM so you notice the little suttle changes. Gotta side with the engineers on this one guys...

[budhayes3]

I was using solely Mobil1 5w-30 year round until a couple of months ago when I heard of some folk's using Mobil1 10w-30 and having a decrease in engine noise. I also tried Mobil1 5w-40 Truck and SUV formula for a while. Here's what I found out: no matter which oil I used, the engine sounded exactly the same. Oil pressure increased about 5-10psi with both the 5w-40 and 10w-30. It was 6 degrees the other day, and my truck started and ran exactly the same with the 10w as the 5w. The 10w-30 is staying in there this winter because after my experimenting, my oil fund is tapped. (should've asked Santa for a case of Mobil1)Honestly, I'm positive that I won't have a problem...today's oil technology is light years ahead of what it used to be, especially with synthetics.

 

Here's a really good website with a ton of info on oil, greases, filters, etc:

 

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

 

Oil filter study:

 

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

 

another link I found, haven't really checked it out though but it looked pretty cool:

 

http://www.trustmymechanic.com/motoroil.html

 

Enjoy!

[simple]

Depends on your vehicle too.  Vortec motors are only suppposed to use 5w-30, or so I am told.

 

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Maybe the newer engines wich have the 5.3, but I disagree if you're referring to the 5.7L.

 

As far as how cold it gets, the average temp is about 20-25 degrees where I live.

This week it's been about 5 degrees.

[RyanbabZ71]

5W-30 all year round (tonight will be about 0 degrees )

[01z71]

5W30 here -- year round

[mcreyaufmiller]

Depends on your vehicle too.  Vortec motors are only suppposed to use 5w-30, or so I am told.

 

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Maybe the newer engines wich have the 5.3, but I disagree if you're referring to the 5.7L.

 

As far as how cold it gets, the average temp is about 20-25 degrees where I live.

This week it's been about 5 degrees.

 

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Actually, the 5w30 is recommended for the vortec's as well. I have a '98 and run 5w30 Mobile 1 all year round. No problems. Keep in mind, the oil is thinner so that it can get through smaller holes in the block, also, thinner oil will dissipate heat faster. I recommend sticking with GM's suggestions, they designed the motors, they should know what is best.

[lesmore49]

I use 5W-30 Quaker state the year round in my '97 4300 Vortec. I live in the Cdn. Prairies and the temp. last year got to -41 below. That was exceptional though.

 

Mostly in the winter it seems to be -10 to -30. In the summers it gets up to highs approaching +95. Quite a temperature range.

 

I also plug the engine block heater in during thw winter. I have never had any problems. I have used 5W-30 for 20 years or so. I believe my manual indicates 5W-30 is ok to use year round. You should be OK using whatever oil weight your manual suggests.

 

My snowblower engine (Tecumseh 4 stroke) indicates I can use 0W-20 or 5W-30. I use QS 5W-30 on that too.

 

I believe Ford was recommending 0W-20 .

[Raymond Lowe]

Maybe the newer engines wich have the 5.3, but I disagree if you're referring to the 5.7L.

 

Both the 96 and 97 in my driveway have 5.7's with 5W30 right on the fill cap.

[simple]

Depends on your vehicle too.  Vortec motors are only suppposed to use 5w-30, or so I am told.

 

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The key word here is the word supposed to. I disagree. While 5w30 might be what's recommended, I believe there's nothing wrong with running 10w30 during the winter as long as it stays above 0 degrees. Since I started this post I've called a few mechanics and I've talked to my own. There's nothing wrong with running 10w30. Actually, my mechanic and 3 others stated that 10w is better especially during the summer because it gives better protection.

[ManyCamaroz]

The cap say's 5W-30 I agree. That was also on the cap of my '92 The one I had to replace the oil pump on and ran 5w-30. The OM gives you a selection depending on temperatures.

 

I run 10w-30 year round. Any motor, once it has been broken in will have enough bearing tolerances to lubricate properly at 0 degrees. The engine starts producing heat the minute she fires off.

[496 CUBIC INCHES]

GM reccomends 5-30 because it MAY give a slight increase in fuel economy. If you think running anything other than 5-30 will hurt your engine,you're wrong. A conventional 5-30 is the last thing I'd run in my vehicles,because it shears out of grade too quickly. It starts as a 5-30 and usually ends up around 5-20. A 10-30 is far better in this regard.

 

For those that run a synthetic 5-30,its better but still not as shear resistant as a 10-30. As far as cold starts go,the difference between M1 5-30 and 10-30 is only about 5 degrees farenheit. The 5-30 will pour to about -54* and the 10-30 only to about -49*