Engine Oil viscosity rating
06-08-2017, 05:22 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Engine Oil viscosity rating
Hi folks, my car is missing the user manual so I searched online and it seems at ambient temps above 50F (I live in norcal so it doesn't get cold here and I might not drive it much in winter) I can use 15W50.
I have a 2000 996.1
The only reason I ask is I'm running 10W40 castrol syntec right now, when my car is hot due to sitting in traffic the oil pressure gets down to 1bar. I have the LN engineering low temp thermostat in the car and also a new water pump.
At normal temps it idles at 1.5bar
I'd feel a little more comfortable if the oil pressure was higher running the 15W50 oil.
Thoughts??
I have a 2000 996.1
The only reason I ask is I'm running 10W40 castrol syntec right now, when my car is hot due to sitting in traffic the oil pressure gets down to 1bar. I have the LN engineering low temp thermostat in the car and also a new water pump.
At normal temps it idles at 1.5bar
I'd feel a little more comfortable if the oil pressure was higher running the 15W50 oil.
Thoughts??
06-08-2017, 05:52 PM
#2
0W40 or 5W40. I don't think 15W50 nor 10W40 is recommended, but there are much more knowledgable people here! Brand creates disagreements. I used Mobil 1 0W40 for a while and switched to DT40 which is 5W40 very happy with that. So pick which one you are comfortable with. There is an oil pressure fix that may help, involves changing a pin and spring from the bottom of car. No disassembly required. I think it is part of oil pump relief system. Search the forum.
06-08-2017, 05:55 PM
#3
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Use 0W40, 5W40 or 5W50 (Mobil).
06-08-2017, 07:29 PM
#6
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I too live in Nor Cal and have been using Mobil 1 0-40 and when sitting in traffic in the bay area in 90 deg+ temp the oil pressure never goes below just under 2 bars. I will be switching to DT40 (already on order from Amazon) on my next oil change due to the development and recommendations of Jake Raby, Flat 6 Innovations.
06-08-2017, 07:56 PM
#7
Motul 8100 Excess (5w40), Mobil 1 5w50, and if adventurous, perhaps Liqui Moly 10w60 or Castrol 10w60 should things get (and stay) really hot. Others can comment on the DT40 by way of hot temperature viscosity dynamics, but it certainly has its adherents.
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06-08-2017, 10:09 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
0W40 or 5W40. I don't think 15W50 nor 10W40 is recommended, but there are much more knowledgable people here! Brand creates disagreements. I used Mobil 1 0W40 for a while and switched to DT40 which is 5W40 very happy with that. So pick which one you are comfortable with. There is an oil pressure fix that may help, involves changing a pin and spring from the bottom of car. No disassembly required. I think it is part of oil pump relief system. Search the forum.
Last edited by Chris(MA); 06-08-2017 at 11:55 PM. Reason: spelling
06-08-2017, 10:41 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
My car has spent its entire life in upstate SC. It can get cold in the winter, but not that many days below freezing. My 1999 C2 just rolled over 90k miles and it has ALWAYS run 15W50. Michelin Research and Development, who owned the car for the first 14 years of its life, even wrote "use Mobile 1 15W50" on the intake plastic where it is very visible when you open the engine hatch. I just changed the oil and the filter was clean, except for some small plastic bits that are probably from the chain guides. I will continue using 15W50.
06-08-2017, 11:25 PM
#10
Three Wheelin'
06-08-2017, 11:54 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
My car has spent its entire life in upstate SC. It can get cold in the winter, but not that many days below freezing. My 1999 C2 just rolled over 90k miles and it has ALWAYS run 15W50. Michelin Research and Development, who owned the car for the first 14 years of its life, even wrote "use Mobile 1 15W50" on the intake plastic where it is very visible when you open the engine hatch. I just changed the oil and the filter was clean, except for some small plastic bits that are probably from the chain guides. I will continue using 15W50.
I did some online reading and 1 bar idle pressure doesn't seem bad, but I think I'll be switching to the 15W50 if its porsche approved considering where I live.
06-09-2017, 12:30 AM
#12
Instructor
I'm not an oil expert but use 0W full synthetic because it is my understanding that the first number (0W) is the cold start viscosity and second number is the at temp viscosity.
Cold starting an engine is where the most damage and wear occurs in an engine and my thinking is that I want the best protection at start up and using a 0 weight oil is the thinnest at cold start and lunricates and moves to where it needs to fastest and the best at cold start. Once up to temp the oil become a 40.
Thats my understanding. I could be totally wrong. I think using a cold start weight that is too heavy will speed up the wear on the engine because the cold start lube isn't as quick. Also cold start can be in 100 degree weather. It just means starting the engine after it's been sitting for a while, even in 100 degree day.
Cold starting an engine is where the most damage and wear occurs in an engine and my thinking is that I want the best protection at start up and using a 0 weight oil is the thinnest at cold start and lunricates and moves to where it needs to fastest and the best at cold start. Once up to temp the oil become a 40.
Thats my understanding. I could be totally wrong. I think using a cold start weight that is too heavy will speed up the wear on the engine because the cold start lube isn't as quick. Also cold start can be in 100 degree weather. It just means starting the engine after it's been sitting for a while, even in 100 degree day.
06-09-2017, 12:48 AM
#13
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I'm not an oil expert but use 0W full synthetic because it is my understanding that the first number (0W) is the cold start viscosity and second number is the at temp viscosity.
Cold starting an engine is where the most damage and wear occurs in an engine and my thinking is that I want the best protection at start up and using a 0 weight oil is the thinnest at cold start and lunricates and moves to where it needs to fastest and the best at cold start. Once up to temp the oil become a 40.
Thats my understanding. I could be totally wrong. I think using a cold start weight that is too heavy will speed up the wear on the engine because the cold start lube isn't as quick. Also cold start can be in 100 degree weather. It just means starting the engine after it's been sitting for a while, even in 100 degree day.
Cold starting an engine is where the most damage and wear occurs in an engine and my thinking is that I want the best protection at start up and using a 0 weight oil is the thinnest at cold start and lunricates and moves to where it needs to fastest and the best at cold start. Once up to temp the oil become a 40.
Thats my understanding. I could be totally wrong. I think using a cold start weight that is too heavy will speed up the wear on the engine because the cold start lube isn't as quick. Also cold start can be in 100 degree weather. It just means starting the engine after it's been sitting for a while, even in 100 degree day.
06-09-2017, 12:58 AM
#14
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I'm not an oil expert but use 0W full synthetic because it is my understanding that the first number (0W) is the cold start viscosity and second number is the at temp viscosity.
Cold starting an engine is where the most damage and wear occurs in an engine and my thinking is that I want the best protection at start up and using a 0 weight oil is the thinnest at cold start and lunricates and moves to where it needs to fastest and the best at cold start. Once up to temp the oil become a 40.
Thats my understanding. I could be totally wrong. I think using a cold start weight that is too heavy will speed up the wear on the engine because the cold start lube isn't as quick. Also cold start can be in 100 degree weather. It just means starting the engine after it's been sitting for a while, even in 100 degree day.
Cold starting an engine is where the most damage and wear occurs in an engine and my thinking is that I want the best protection at start up and using a 0 weight oil is the thinnest at cold start and lunricates and moves to where it needs to fastest and the best at cold start. Once up to temp the oil become a 40.
Thats my understanding. I could be totally wrong. I think using a cold start weight that is too heavy will speed up the wear on the engine because the cold start lube isn't as quick. Also cold start can be in 100 degree weather. It just means starting the engine after it's been sitting for a while, even in 100 degree day.
However to get the increase in range they have to add other components in the oil which make it less optimal in other areas. Its all a trade off.
06-09-2017, 01:05 AM
#15
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