abstruse1

I've spent a lot of time looking and -- amazingly -- have found very little recommendation about best viscosity for '18 718 in hot climates (TX). I know what the manual says, but..

So, anyone have any good thinking about this?

PorscheAddict

0w40 or 5w50 Mobil 1 are both fine if it is the same as 981. No real need to change oil due to hot climate though. The oil coolers can keep the temps at an acceptable level even in 90+ degree heat unless you're tracking it maybe.

GregWormald

I''m in South Australia (we get 45°C+ in the summer (113°F)) and my dealer's recommendation was the same as PorscheAddict's.

Even on the hottest days so far, in Sport mode the oil temp never exceeds the boiling point of water!

Marine Blue

storii

The 981 has the oil temp gauge in addition to the oil pressure gauge.

Marine Blue

Marine Blue

fast1

Are you concerned about oil temperature in the hot weather or having an oil that provides the best lubricating properties in high temperatures? Also, what are the temperature ranges in your part of Texas?

abstruse1

TX summers can be over 100 deg. F frequently.

The manual specifies 0W-40, 5W-40, and 5W-50. The 0W-40 is "for all temperature ranges," while the other two are for temps above -13 deg. F. We never have temps that cold, so all three grades are approved. Question is which one is best.

deadlivingthing

Motul is the only way to go for anyone who drives their car hard.

PorscheAddict

It will make no difference unless you track the car, in which case 5w50 should be best by all conventional wisdom. Ambient being 100 or even 120 doesn't mean much when the car can maintain oil temps of 210-220 anyway. The only reason where you live would affect oil is if you lived somewhere that got very cold, in which case you would not want a 5w oil because it would be quite thick cold. I would say stick to 0w40 since it is cheapest and they all perform the same for your use.

fast1

Of course any of these oils will be fine for your area, but I'd go with 5W-50 since you expressed a concern for high temperatures. I believe that Porsche dealers use Mobil 5W-40 synthetic as the default.

deadlivingthing

So funny story, I just had a shop do my oil (first time shop, last time visit) and they didn't wait for the old oil to drain completely out. And then put in the full suggested amount in for the new oil.
Only thing, it overfilled my engine, after the notice popped up, I turned around - the idea was to empty out a few quarts only, but it was super hot and burned the 'expert's' hand trying to stop the rest of the oil coming out.

Long story short, the Motul they ordered for me would take two weeks - they offered some oil called Liqui-Moly - which they say is just as good. Curious to any 9-nerd who knows otherwise about Motul vs. Liqui-Moly.
I redline daily and I am a daily driver so this isn't just a "I wonder" question - seeking best advise.
Muchas gracias!

Dave in Chicago

I run 5W-40 year 'round here in Chicago. Air temps this year dipped to around -10 F, highs in the usual 90's... street car with plenty of "brisk" driving, but no track use (I have the SP3 car for that).

I do run the low-temp thermostat from LN Engineering (opens sooner, more even cooling across cylinder heads, etc.), but the net effect is a warm engine temp that never seems to change, which is reassuring.

I do miss having an oil pressure gauge in the previous P-cars, I also have an oil temp gauge in the 968. In that car, oil / water temps behave pretty linearly, especially when they get real warm.

As long as engine temps are controlled, I don't think you can go wrong with a Porsche-approved synthetic oil in 5W-40.

Just my 2 cents.

Dave

'05 987S
'92 968 SP3
'88 944 NA (gone)

LexVan

Mobil 5W50 is on sale now at Napa Auto Parts plus you can take the $12 Mobil rebate, so that makes it $3.99/quart. Great oil. I use this for my March-October driving season. Blackstone UOAs are excellent. Porsche A40 approved (the only 5W50 that is).