10W-30 -v- 10W-40 -v- 5W-30
06-27-2002, 06:13 AM
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10W-30 -v- 10W-40 -v- 5W-30
Oil again, folks. Apologies in advance. I did do a quick search before posting, but to be honest the conflicting things said (mainly on the US board) left me more confused than when I started.
I'm clear that I should be using mineral oil up to the first change at 9,000 miles, and that ideally it should be 10W-30. As others before have found and posted, however, it's not easy to get hold of.
Can someone explain to me (in words of one syllable that I'll be able to understand!
) what the difference is between, for instance, 10W-30, 10W-40 and 5W-30? Whilst refilling with Optimax last night, I noticed that Shell had some 5W-30, which was described as being for "ultra performance engines" and had the Ferrari logo on. Sounds pretty much to me like the F20C.
What would happen if I was to top up the oil with that, rather than with the 10W-30 that's recommended? Ditto for 10W-40, which seems to be much more readily available.
I'm clear that I should be using mineral oil up to the first change at 9,000 miles, and that ideally it should be 10W-30. As others before have found and posted, however, it's not easy to get hold of.
Can someone explain to me (in words of one syllable that I'll be able to understand!
) what the difference is between, for instance, 10W-30, 10W-40 and 5W-30? Whilst refilling with Optimax last night, I noticed that Shell had some 5W-30, which was described as being for "ultra performance engines" and had the Ferrari logo on. Sounds pretty much to me like the F20C. What would happen if I was to top up the oil with that, rather than with the 10W-30 that's recommended? Ditto for 10W-40, which seems to be much more readily available.
06-27-2002, 06:24 AM
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You would be ok with either 5W-30 or 10W-40, 5W-30 being preferable. IMMSMR they specify viscosity but in lay mans terms its all to do with temperature. The lower value is to do with cold temperature and the higher value to do with high temperature.
Just found this which may be of some interest to you:
Oil weight, or viscosity, refers to how thick or thin the oil is. The temperature requirements set for oil by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) is 0 degrees F (low) and 210 degrees F (high).
Oils meeting the SAE's low temperature requirements have a "W" after the viscosity rating (example: 10W), and oils that meet the high ratings have no letter (example SAE 30). An oil is rated for viscosity by heating it to a specified temperature, and then allowing it to flow out of a specifically sized hole. Its viscosity rating is determined by the length of time it takes to flow out of the hole. If it flows quickly, it gets a low rating. If it flows slowly, it gets a high rating.
Engines need oil that is thin enough for cold starts, and thick enough when the engine is hot. Since oil gets thinner when heated, and thicker when cooled, most of us use what are called multi-grade, or multi-viscosity oils. These oils meet SAE specifications for the low temperature requirements of a light oil and the high temperature requirements of a heavy oil. You will hear them referred to as multi-viscosity, all-season and all-weather oils. An example is a 10W-30 which is commonly found in stores. When choosing oil, always follow the manufacturer's recommendation.
Just found this which may be of some interest to you:
Oil weight, or viscosity, refers to how thick or thin the oil is. The temperature requirements set for oil by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) is 0 degrees F (low) and 210 degrees F (high).
Oils meeting the SAE's low temperature requirements have a "W" after the viscosity rating (example: 10W), and oils that meet the high ratings have no letter (example SAE 30). An oil is rated for viscosity by heating it to a specified temperature, and then allowing it to flow out of a specifically sized hole. Its viscosity rating is determined by the length of time it takes to flow out of the hole. If it flows quickly, it gets a low rating. If it flows slowly, it gets a high rating.
Engines need oil that is thin enough for cold starts, and thick enough when the engine is hot. Since oil gets thinner when heated, and thicker when cooled, most of us use what are called multi-grade, or multi-viscosity oils. These oils meet SAE specifications for the low temperature requirements of a light oil and the high temperature requirements of a heavy oil. You will hear them referred to as multi-viscosity, all-season and all-weather oils. An example is a 10W-30 which is commonly found in stores. When choosing oil, always follow the manufacturer's recommendation.
06-27-2002, 06:46 AM
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If it helps I'm using 10W-40 semi-synthetic.
This is after reading postings and getting very confused.
Then spending an entire weekend trying to find some 10W-30 and most garage/Halfords etc staff saying "you don't want to use that... we don't stock it anyway".
Then calling the garage which will be servicing my car and asking them what they use and buying some.
This is after reading postings and getting very confused.
Then spending an entire weekend trying to find some 10W-30 and most garage/Halfords etc staff saying "you don't want to use that... we don't stock it anyway".
Then calling the garage which will be servicing my car and asking them what they use and buying some.
06-27-2002, 07:01 AM
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Originally posted by W6DAN
Then calling the garage which will be servicing my car and asking them what they use and buying some.
Then calling the garage which will be servicing my car and asking them what they use and buying some.
Since that seemed to fly in the face of what I had read previously on the board, I thought I'd better seek the advice of the various helpful techie-types who read and post here
06-27-2002, 07:04 AM
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I'm actually using 10w 30 mineral oil which I bought from a Ford dealer!
But I think I will be going to fully synthetic after the first service at 9000 miles
But I think I will be going to fully synthetic after the first service at 9000 miles
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06-27-2002, 07:58 AM
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mark Turner
[B]
He said that they use Shell Helix Ultra, and that they recommend using fully synthetic oil, and that it didn't really matter whether it was 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40 or anything else!
[B]
He said that they use Shell Helix Ultra, and that they recommend using fully synthetic oil, and that it didn't really matter whether it was 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40 or anything else!