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What happens if you accidently mix in engine oil with different viscosity?

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Old Mar 8, 2004 | 10:00 PM
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Default What happens if you accidently mix in engine oil with different viscosity?

I am using 20W50 engine oil and topped it off with a quart of 10W30 not realizing that I had 20W50 in there. Will there be a problem? Thanks. Joe
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Old Mar 8, 2004 | 10:55 PM
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Im not an oil expert, but I don't think it would do any damage. Im guessing it would be like mixing 91 octane with 87 equally and get 89. So in your case, it will narrow the range of your oil viscosity until the additives wears out. Just my 2 cents.

Just to test it out, pour some 20-50 in a clear glass and then 10-30. Then mix them up. If they separate then they don't dissolve with each other. Either ways, I don't think it would cause any problems as both oils will still be going through and lubricating your engine.
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Old Mar 9, 2004 | 12:21 AM
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10w-30 + 20w-50 = 15w-40. multi weights are compatible. As a matter of fact, synthetics are compatible with conventional oil.

It's just a matter of time before Road Rage see's this thread, I am sure he will chime in on this.
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Old Mar 9, 2004 | 01:03 AM
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No worries on mixing. Any particular reason you're using 20W-50 in CA?
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Old Mar 9, 2004 | 05:24 AM
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Racer is correct - the viscosities sum and then divide by total number of quarts = effective viscosity.

I do not recommend mixing oils from different companies, unless you are adding one quart of syn to a minoil fill to get a synblend. Even then, probably better to mix the same company's min and syn.
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Old Mar 9, 2004 | 05:57 AM
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Why are you using such a thick oil in your car? 20W/50 may not work well in the F20C due to the very high tolerances and increased wear at startup.
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Old Mar 9, 2004 | 06:13 AM
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Originally posted by RACER
As a matter of fact, synthetics are compatible with conventional oil.
I have always thought that, and have contemplated adding a bit of synthetic to my mineral oil. I know the advantages of synthetic for heat breakdown and as I do lots of driving schools I can see the advantage. However, I have read too often that synthetic smoothes out the VTEC transition, and I really like it not smooth.
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Old Mar 9, 2004 | 08:17 AM
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Thank you all for the informative posts. I will just leave it until the next change.
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Old Mar 9, 2004 | 09:24 AM
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Originally posted by yjfang
Will there be a problem?
Catastrophic oil amalgamation resulting from the anearobic combination of ions and cations in a viscous sludge!











j/k. You'll be fine. Give it lots of warm up time or go back to the proper viscosity.
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Old Mar 9, 2004 | 09:34 AM
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[QUOTE]Catastrophic oil amalgamation resulting from the anearobic combination of ions and cations in a viscous sludge!
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