Mobil 1 5w-30 vs 10w-30
April-4th-2003, 08:02 PM
#1
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 45
Mobil 1 5w-30 vs 10w-30
OK, i know there are numerous threads about motor oil (and I have read most of them), but I have specific questions about the Mobil 1 5w-30 and 10w-30.
The manual of my 02 P5 calls for 5w-30 for up to 120°F (correct me if I am wrong) and 10w-30 for anything above. And every single article I can find on the web says follow the manufacturer's recomendation.
However, my logic goes like this: Mobil 1 5w-30 should out perform conventional 10w-30 even at high temp. So if conventional 10w-30 is good for all temp in a stock P5 engine, mobil 1 5w-30 should be more than enough, right?
I was looking at 5w-30 and 10w-30's specs on Mobil 1's web site and they are very close and have the same flash point (455°F). I know one of the reasons for choosing the smallest spread of engine oil viscosity is because the less viscosity improvers in the oil, the better. However, I think (if my memory serves me right) neither of them need viscosity improver to achieve their rating.
It seems the only difference between them is the better pumpability with the 5w-30 at low temp. Now, am I too far off to assume that they protect engine equally well at the same operating temparature (well, say in a 2002 P5 stock engine)?
I live in the bay area and temp ranges from the 30's in a cold winter night to the 90's in the summer (100+ for couple days a year). I think it is well within the operating range for both grades. I am planing to use 5w-30 all year long for it's better startup protection (most engine wear and tear happens at startup, right?) and possibly a little better mpg. So, do you think 5w-30 can handle the hot days in summer (could be 120°F+ on the tarmac) and ocassional trips to Vegas?
What do you guys think...? Am I just thinking too much and should spend my time to think about something more important (like which cat back to get
)?
The manual of my 02 P5 calls for 5w-30 for up to 120°F (correct me if I am wrong) and 10w-30 for anything above. And every single article I can find on the web says follow the manufacturer's recomendation.
However, my logic goes like this: Mobil 1 5w-30 should out perform conventional 10w-30 even at high temp. So if conventional 10w-30 is good for all temp in a stock P5 engine, mobil 1 5w-30 should be more than enough, right?
I was looking at 5w-30 and 10w-30's specs on Mobil 1's web site and they are very close and have the same flash point (455°F). I know one of the reasons for choosing the smallest spread of engine oil viscosity is because the less viscosity improvers in the oil, the better. However, I think (if my memory serves me right) neither of them need viscosity improver to achieve their rating.
It seems the only difference between them is the better pumpability with the 5w-30 at low temp. Now, am I too far off to assume that they protect engine equally well at the same operating temparature (well, say in a 2002 P5 stock engine)?
I live in the bay area and temp ranges from the 30's in a cold winter night to the 90's in the summer (100+ for couple days a year). I think it is well within the operating range for both grades. I am planing to use 5w-30 all year long for it's better startup protection (most engine wear and tear happens at startup, right?) and possibly a little better mpg. So, do you think 5w-30 can handle the hot days in summer (could be 120°F+ on the tarmac) and ocassional trips to Vegas?
What do you guys think...? Am I just thinking too much and should spend my time to think about something more important (like which cat back to get
)?
April-4th-2003, 11:08 PM
#2
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What do you guys think...? Am I just thinking too much and should spend my time to think about something more important (like which cat back to get )?
April-5th-2003, 01:50 AM
#7
Use this to install stuff
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: State College, PA
Posts: 1,069
the outside temperatures will have a direct effect on the cooling of the engine. A engine running hard in 105 degree weather will be a lot hotter than one running hard in 50 degrees
the hotter air will not cool the water/coolant mixture or keep the underhood temps down as well...And this can have a direct effect on the condition of the engine's oil. It is just "safer" to have 10w in the engine in these heat ranges, but it is not that critical...
the hotter air will not cool the water/coolant mixture or keep the underhood temps down as well...And this can have a direct effect on the condition of the engine's oil. It is just "safer" to have 10w in the engine in these heat ranges, but it is not that critical...
April-5th-2003, 04:42 PM
#8
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 45
Thanks for the input. It all make sense, but how about my logic? Does anyone think my logic is flawed? If Mobil1 5w-30 indeed out perform dino 10w-30 under all temp and dino 10w-30 is good for the P5 engine in 120+ temp, shouldn't the Mobil1 5w-30 be even better? Yes, the Mobil1 10w-30 may provide even more high temp protection than it's 5w-30 counterpart, but M1 5w-30 should be more than adequate for our engines under all temp range, right?
April-6th-2003, 04:17 PM
#11
Who's your Daddy?
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Westerville, Ohio USA
Posts: 390
Well, I'll chime in.
I run (and plan to all year round) Mobil1 5w-30. Why? Because I've used it on many previous vehicles, and never had issues. Also, the nominal temp range in Ohio is 20F-90F. So this viscoscity (sp?) should be more than sufficient for my little 2.0L P5.
And think about this. The only real difference between the two (5w - 10w) is low temp (startup) viscoscity. After it's at NOT (normal operating temp,) they're both 30 weight oil, right? Correct me if I'm wrong.......
Jim
I run (and plan to all year round) Mobil1 5w-30. Why? Because I've used it on many previous vehicles, and never had issues. Also, the nominal temp range in Ohio is 20F-90F. So this viscoscity (sp?) should be more than sufficient for my little 2.0L P5.
And think about this. The only real difference between the two (5w - 10w) is low temp (startup) viscoscity. After it's at NOT (normal operating temp,) they're both 30 weight oil, right? Correct me if I'm wrong.......
Jim
April-6th-2003, 09:32 PM
#13
Who's your Daddy?
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Westerville, Ohio USA
Posts: 390
Originally posted by walight01
did you forget about the highest outdoor temp??
did you forget about the highest outdoor temp??
Jim
