Oil Viscosity

[MikesZ06]

Here's what Blackstone Laboratories has to say concerning oil viscosity...

"For the sake of efficiency you want to run the lightest grade oil in your engine possible, within limits. We are seeing that trend for newer engines, for which the recommended grade is getting progressively lighter. The common 10W/30 has become a 5W/30, and some manufacturers even recommend 5W/20 oil. On the other hand, we can't see (in oil analysis) where it hurts anything to run heavier 10W/30s or even 10W/40s in modern automotive engines. The heavier oils provide more bearing film, and that's important at the lower end. If your oil is too light, the bearing metals can increase. If the oil is too heavy, the upper end metals can increase. The trick is to find the right viscosity for your particular engine, which is why we suggest following the manufacturer's recommendation."

Mike

[El Calor]

Interesting...thanks for the info!

[widman]

Click on the link below and it will take you to an article written primarily for Corvairs and other flat tappet engines, but covers the viscosity very well.

[b16stalyun]

so, my car recommends 5w30 in my 1.6L honda. Im getting a turbo put on it, should i goto a 10w30 so it provides more protection?

[Jake_reps337]

Originally Posted by b16stalyun

so, my car recommends 5w30 in my 1.6L honda. Im getting a turbo put on it, should i goto a 10w30 so it provides more protection?

Uhm. 10W-30W oil provides easier starts for engines when your temperature is ABOVE freezing.

5W-30W means it's 5 weight when cold... 30 weight when warm.

Back in the day there was just 30 weight.

The answer to your question is most likely, stick with 5W30W

[widman]

Stick with the 5W-30, and if you want better turbo protection, especially if you are not adding water cooling or continued oil circulation after shut-off, go full synthetic.
Biggest problem in turbos is shutting them off when hot, cooking the oil in them. Worse yet is restarting after 2 or 3 minutes when the bearings are expanded from the heat and end up spinning or damaged.

[b16stalyun]

i always shut the car off a minute after driving OR after egt goes below 800 degrees.

i was checking out eneos or nippon 0w30 oil. im currently using royal purple. any feedback on those oils in comparison to royal purple?

it looks like 0w30 would be a better oil than 5w30. it would be better at cold startup and winter lubrication and would still provide the same 30w protection

[daddysLBZ]

Amsoil is the best synthetic on the market,hands down...