For those of you who drive your cars in the winter.. do you change to 5w30? just curious

 

Although I don't drive the S in the winter, I stick with 10w-30 in all the other family vehicles irrespective of what season it is. 10W works just as well as the 5W IMO, especially if you idle the car for a minute or two before you set off in cold weather, and let it "cool" down again after your drive; before shutting it off.

Just my .02

Asif

 

I stick with 10W30. I plug it in at anything colder than about -18 or so, to make sure it starts a bit easier. I also think it helps to use a synthetic like Mobil 1, which generally has a colder pour point than a conventional oil.

I think Dave runs 5W30 in the winter though... I'm sure he'll wander in here sooner or later to bestow his infinite wisdom on us all

 

I've been through two Saskatchewan winters on 10W30 and have not had any problems. When it dips below -25 C, the car's block heater is plugged in and there is no trouble starting it. Seeing as Saskatchewan has some of the harshest winters around, I think I made it through quite well. I don't know of any other Saskatchewan S2000's that are driven through the winter. I suspect my car can be considered the 'guinea pig' for cold weather tolerance.

 

I do'nt drive the S2000 in the winter, except on a long chinook day when it is unresistable to take it for a "spin" in the foothills ... I found that 5W40 was too thick for the summer, 10W30 is OK, but 5W30 even better, year round Alberta weather !

 

I did a little "freezer" pour test with different oils last year.
At about -18*C, 10W30 dino oil poured like molassus. I would hate to think what the oil pump has to go through to pump this goo. Having the block heater plugged in will not heat up the oil in the pan. This is where the oil pump gets its oil from.
10W30 Mobil 1 still poured like it did when at room temp. Last winter, I used 5W30 Mobil 1 but having done this test, I'm going with 10W30 this winter.
If you are continuing to use dino oil, you might want to reconsider and go with 5W30 for winter, especially if you park the car outside in the cold for any length of time.

 

I can concur what Dave said about 5w30 pouring like molassus at about -20

 

I'm giving that Castrol Syntec German 0w30 blend a try this weekend. It's been in the -20 to -30