I don't want to start a long and inconclusive oil thread. I've read Doug Hillary's great stuff, but can't find the recommended Mobil 1 T&SUV 5W-40. My Q is whether Mobil 1 0W-40 is recommended for a street driven '89 54 that lives in Alabama or is Mobil 1 15W-50 better. I've always used the 15W-50 and can still find it, but am just wondering if the 0W-40 is better for my car b/c of better flow at start-up. I'm not interested in Amsoil, Castrol or anything else, just a simple answer to this specific Q. Thanks.

Steve
'89 S4 Auto

 

Hi

I tried 0-40...too thin...now i use 15-50 (both Mobil 1) and thats fine...

All the best Brett

 

I'll pass on what Doug recommended to me......Delvak 5-40, which is a Mobil product....Its available in Australia and Canada but may be called something else in the states....he specifically recommended it for hot climates.

 

That's like asking, what's the meaning of life?

J/k (sort of)

I think the problem we have here is that we rely too much on our oil pressure gage to represent oil flow. They are not the same. Doug feels that 0w-40 is a great weight to use, but your oil pressure gage will read very low. The real question is will you get enough flow? I can't say for sure.

I have been using a Castrol 20w50, but am moving to a 10w-40 Shell Rotella tomorrow.

I told you it's not an easy question.

Edit: that's right, I guess it was 5w40 that Doug likes, not the 0w

 

Amsoil 20/50 and Pennzoil 20/50 work well in hotter climes. I just put 5w40 M1 in the Mercedes, so we'll see how that goes. G

 

Ok, what happened that cause you to think 0-40 is "too thin". Just curious since I see a lot of people say this, always pondered how they came to this conclusion.
That is currently being covered in OT

 

For warm temps the M1 15w50 is great - I have 3 cases of it sitting in my garage! Its also not easy to find - occasianally Costco stocks it and I load up at bargain prices. I have tried 5W40 and get occasional summer low pressure warnings at idle when hot... (+110F ambient) no fun - never had this with the 15W50. I'd assume 0W40 would be the same...

Alan

 

I can't help but think that there would be a lot less people worried about what their oil pressure gauge shows at idle if it were indicating psi instead of bar. Oil pressure of 2 bar is nowhere near as good as 30psi, right?

 

I don't know where you are, Dark Blue, but the oil Hillary reccommends has "Turbodiesel Truck" on the label:

 

Hi

I gave a simple answer to a simple question....but...

0-40 was too thin as it started USING a LOT of it....and it started smoking badly from the exhaust under full WOT...

15-50...cut back the exhaust smoke a LOT and am using a LOT less oil..almost none now...

Dont forget both of the above are in the UK climate....lots of rain etc...and no hot days..highest temp here is around 80F a couple of days a year...so in higher temp areas it may not apply.....

Having said that....I would bet that anyone USING a lot of oil will use LESS if using 15-50....

All the best Brett

 

My local WalMart is carrying Shell Rotella T Synthetic 5w40 for approx. $16-17/gal.

 

Just this morning I bought 4 gallons of Mobil Delvac 1 5W40 on Doug's advice ($134 with tax at my local NAPA).

You guys are scaring me with this low oil pressure in hot climate stuff. It will be 100+ degrees here in 3 months (before then if I'm not lucky). I'll give it a shot and let the list know if I experience problems.

I would note, on my previous GT I did get a low pressure warning once sitting in traffic on a 105 degree day. That was with Mobil 1 15W-50.

Fortunately, my current 928 is not a daily driver, so it shouldn't be out during the hottest parts of the day.

 

Been using 0-40 with pretty good luck. Only time I get smoke is after it has been siting for 60 days straight on startup. No notable consumption although I've barely driven it 1000 miles since I changed it.

 

The Walmart here stocks the Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel 5w-40 for $22/gal.

They have been sold out for awhile, but a couple weeks ago I spotted some about to go on the shelf and picked up 3 gallons.

 

I know two 928 owners that are extreamely happy w/ Mobil1 0w 40 and I am one of them.
Have been running it for over four years and at Shark In HELL last summer (+90') oil pressure was at ~1/4 (HOT at idle). But is is usually a bit cooler here in MI.