Whats up fellas<
I just bought a 00 s with 47k on it, I need to know how many qaurts of synthetic
oil to use and what kind do you guys recommned? (no owners manual yet)
I already bought the gear oil and the trans oil. Just need to know what kind, what
weight, and how much oil for the engine.

thanks

 

It will take up to 6 quarts (yes, I know the owners' manual sez 5) depending on how fully you drain the old oil. I've used Mobil 1 for years and had it analyzed to know that I should change it, based on my driving, every 7-8k miles. I change the filter once during that time since the filter is supposed to plug if it's doing it's job properly.

YMMV

 

thank you,
what weight of oil should i use??

 

10W30 (it's written on the top of your oil cap).

Also, I invite you to read the "stickied" threads at the top of this and all the other forums. There, you will find information on which forum to best post this sort of topic (Technical isn't really it.) You will also find the "Oil Journals", which should answer almost any question you may have about oil.

 

Hey thanks,
I'll get the hang of this

 

Well I've been reading your posts about oil weight and I do have a couple of questions.

I use Mobil 1 5W50 and I change them every 5 thou miles alongside with the oil filter? Am I within specs?

As far as I understand the greater the variance between the two numbers the greater the protection (since the low W indicates greater protection at cold start (where most wear occurs) and the high number will indicate a higher break point or flash point i.e. were due to high temperature the oil breaks down) but the shorter the life term of the oil itself (hence the shorter intervals) Am I correct?

I understand that oil viscosity has to do with oil consumption to but to what extent?

For completion of information temperatures in my area vary between 23F (-5C) in winter and 104F (40C) min and max. Car is a 2002 F20C S with less than 20 000 miles in odo.


Thanx in advance for your replies

 

Your flag would indicate that you live in Europe, yes? No?

If this is the case, then you must consult your owner's manual for the acceptable viscosities of oil to use.
However, if you are in N. America, then 5W50 is just a bit too thick. I believe N.Am. cars should be using 10W30 or 5W40 (in extreme temps).
I think your concept of "protection" is a bit off (or maybe mine is). The number before the "W" is the viscosity for "winter" (colds starts, etc). The higher number is the viscosity when at operating temps. The viscosity numbers are related to "flow" (or the resistance to it). After cold starts and during cold operation, a 50 weight oil will exert tremendous oil pressure. Our cars have an oiling system that can approach 100 psi even with 10W30 on a cold morning. 100 psi is REALLY high oil pressure. A higher viscosity oil can potentially put the oil pressure into a dangerous level where seals can get blown and small oil journals and passageways may not get adequate flow to promote proper lubrication. At the very least, using this kind of oil should necessitate a prolonged warm up phase or warm up laps on a track.
Although a thicker oil may reduce oil consumption, an oil that stays thicker longer, may reduce lubrication and also reduce heat transfer from metal to oil and out. Remember, oil in an engine (especially our engines) not only lubricates but perform the vital function of cooling.
Personally, unless you drive across the Arizona plains or the Nevada desert all the time, I'd stop using 5W50.

 

ΟΚ now you really got me confused I undrerstand that the first number W stands for the ability of the oil to lubricate efficiently during cold starts, that to me would mean a thin oil no. I understand your comment about high oil pressure and my point is that the climate in Greece-Europe is significanlty milder around 20 degrees C average min 23F (-5C) in winter and max 104F (40C) in summer plus I warm up the car for a considerable time (don't drive off till the second line has come up on the temp gauge and don't exceed 3000 rpm till the full third line has come up indicating operating temp has been reached). However it was my impression that the higher the final number the greater the resistance of the oil to break up during high temps (for eg a spirited or even track drive on a summer day) . I should however comment that following my last change (my first with Mobil1) I feel the car a lot quieter and punchier at low revs but again slower in reving up towards the rev limiter (slower in the kind of sluggish). Is this due to the oil viscocity?? If it matters too much I gues I could move to 10W40 or even 15W50 soon enough since I change oil every 5 thousand miles

 

Thanks for clarifying what country your flag represents. I only guessed it was someplace in Europe. You are right, you don't really need to worry about "cold" weather.
However, I think you are getting "viscosity" confused with "lubrication". The 2 are related but not the same. Those numbers are for viscosity (the resistance to flow). A thicker oil doesn't always mean it lubricates or protects better. It just flows better under high heat conditions and resists thermal break down in high heat. Whether or not you subject your engine to such conditions, only you will know for sure. Under normal day to day running, even in the heat of Greece, a 50 weight oil is not necessary and until it gets up to operating temps, may be too viscous. Such an oil may not reach its own operating temp till long after "3 bars" on your temp gauge.
I would strongly suggest you follow the recommendations in your owner's manual for what viscosity oil you should be using given the temperature range that you operate the car. Personally, I wouldn't use a 15W50, even if I lived in Greece.