EELPIE

It is time for an oil change on my 2003 S. I am currently running Amsoil 10w30 Signature Series. I use no oil between changes. I do have a split second rattle on start up. This maybe due to the fact that the car sits for a while between uses and probably drains down completely.

My question is should I switch to Amsoil 5w30 SS or 0w30 SS?

What is the current consensus on 0w30 oil for our cars?

Also does anyone know how long it takes for an oil to transition from the low number to the high number. In other words how long would one need to allow a 0w30 to warm up before using the cars full rev range?

Thanks.

slalom44

There is no difference between the running temp viscosity range of a 0W-30 and a 10W-30 oil. The difference is in the cold temp range. A 0W-30 oil isn't as viscous (thick) when cold, therefore it acts more like an oil closer to full operating temp. A 0W-30 oil attains oil pressure slightly quicker and reaches optimum viscosity a little sooner, but it would be impossible to specify how much sooner due to the variables involved.

There are countless discussions on this subject at BobIsTheOilGuy.com if you want to learn more about it.

I've been running on Amsoil 0W-30 since my car had less than 10K miles, and I now have 326k miles. IMO, a 0W-30 oil is better for your engine.

redlineracing

I run "0" oil in all my cars. Amsoil 0w20 for the CRV(124k miles) and EXV (11k miles).Amsoil 0w30 for the S2K (99k miles),GST(145k miles) and Z06 (74k miles).

Just some added protection at startup and in the cold.

\rlr
Carolina

cosmomiller

I run 0-XXw in all my cars too. For all the reasons above. Bob's website is great for oil 101.

Everyone has favorite oils. I happen to use Mobil 1 and I get it at Wal Mart for $25 for the 5 quart container. I burn absolutely no, none, zip, nada oil between changes which happen to be every 3K miles. Why? Because I like too.

Amsoil is good oil; I use it for the transmission. The other is just more than I want to spend for oil. Marginal rate of return is too low.

Car Analogy

You want to run 0w. You simply can't go low enough on the cold value. Even 0w oils are a compromise from ideal.

Will your engine detonate if you use 5w or 10w? Of course not. Will it wear more at startup, and also the first few minutes of running on cold days? Yes, some. Enough to matter? That is up to you and your oil analysis results.

Gregg Lee

I ran my car through the mobil 1 "what oil is right for my car" and it selected Extended Performance 10W30. Checking the tech specs, 40C viscosity for EP 10W30 is lower than 40C for 0w40. If that's what you are focusing on. Other EP grades are even lower.

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Oils/Oils.aspx