Oil Weight

[istabemos]

Time for a oil change and going to try out royal purple, need to figure out what weight i want but dont really know the difference between them. Whats the pros and cons when running thin vs thick oil and what sould i use? :o

 

Thanks in advance

[BigJayDogg3]

I'd like to know the answer to this question as well.

[anthony2558]

I dont believe that changing the viscosities of your oil is gonna make much of a difference. Unless you live in an area that experiences high temps year round or if you do alot of heavy towing something that makes the engine work harder (hotter). That maybe your only reason to change to a thicker oil say 10w30.

 

 

EDIT: Mybad 10w40

 

 

http://www.carwash.com/article.asp?IndexID=6631977

[dlstewart01]

I dont believe that changing the viscosities of your oil is gonna make much of a difference. Unless you live in an area that experiences high temps year round or if you do alot of heavy towing something that makes the engine work harder (hotter). That maybe your only reason to change to a thicker oil say 10w30.

 

http://www.carwash.com/article.asp?IndexID=6631977

 

5W30 and 10W30 are both 30 weight. One is not thicker than the other at operating temperature. The 5W will flow a little bit better when cold.

 

Don

[Draenor]

I dont believe that changing the viscosities of your oil is gonna make much of a difference. Unless you live in an area that experiences high temps year round or if you do alot of heavy towing something that makes the engine work harder (hotter). That maybe your only reason to change to a thicker oil say 10w30.

 

http://www.carwash.com/article.asp?IndexID=6631977

 

5W30 and 10W30 are both 30 weight. One is not thicker than the other at operating temperature. The 5W will flow a little bit better when cold.

 

Don

 

Correct Don. The 5W flows better cold(less than 200*) than the 10W. The "W" stands for winter, not weight. In colder climates you want to run the lower value "W" oil. Once warm they both are at the 30 grade or viscosity. Then they are the straight (for examplre) 30W oil. That oil has the same viscosity either cold or hot.

[istabemos]

So since im in Cali central valley and it never snows 10W30 will be fine?

[dlstewart01]

I dont believe that changing the viscosities of your oil is gonna make much of a difference. Unless you live in an area that experiences high temps year round or if you do alot of heavy towing something that makes the engine work harder (hotter). That maybe your only reason to change to a thicker oil say 10w30.

 

http://www.carwash.com/article.asp?IndexID=6631977

 

5W30 and 10W30 are both 30 weight. One is not thicker than the other at operating temperature. The 5W will flow a little bit better when cold.

 

Don

 

Correct Don. The 5W flows better cold(less than 200*) than the 10W. The "W" stands for winter, not weight. In colder climates you want to run the lower value "W" oil. Once warm they both are at the 30 grade or viscosity. Then they are the straight (for examplre) 30W oil. That oil has the same viscosity either cold or hot.

 

 

 

Thanks John,

Important as oil is, most people know little to nothing about oil. And there is so much mis-information out there concerning oil. Oh well now a days if you stick to a major brand and change it regularly you can't go wrong.

 

Have a great day,

 

Don

[C & A s Dad]

Matt, if I am not mistaken, GM recommends 5W 30 for your truck and if I were you, that is what I would use. IMO, you will not gain any protection at all by going with a 10W oil. I use Amsoil and asked their advice on this as well when I first got the GMC. They recommended the 5W.

[Nytemare]

I use 5W30 RP oil. It rarely gets colder than 20* here.

 

I cant Imagen it will get much below 60* where you are.

 

I'd use what it calls for personally, than nothing can be said if your drivetrain goes south.