eclou

At this past DE a rep from Motul told me that Porsche was switching away from 0w oils to 5w oils on all the current water cooled cars, and that North America would be following shortly as well.

Terry Adams

Maybe a recall and free oil change?

ALPINE_997

Doesn't porsche fill some of their cars with 5w-40 before they are shipped?

I read somewhere that the 5w-40 is not readily available stateside?

Mercedes I think is switching as well to this formula.

I know they make a 5w-40 diesel/suv oil

jhbrennan

I thought the lower viscosity (0W) was primarily related to ensuring proper operation of the variocam.

eclou

I think the lower viscosity does have something to do with fluid columns to actuate the variocam. In our manuals it does specifically state that 5w40 is an approved weight for the 997tt

texas911

I hope Walmart starts selling 5-40, right now they sell both the 0-40 and 15-50. That's where I buy my oil.

ltc

Some prefer this due to higher ZDP levels.

1AS

I think Autozone has the 5/40 synthetic for sale, but it is listed as 'heavy duty truck" by recollection. AS

StickShift964

interesting rumor, will this be for 09 models? Should earlier models change to the 5w-40?

ALPINE_997

So would you suggest going this route sooner than later?

I know the Z=Zinc

The DP = something I can't spell without looking it up so I won't try but I have a feeling it has phosphate in it somewhere..

I recall some people mentioning this was available and it said for SUV/Turbo Motors or something along those lines.

Higher ZDP means better protection I assume?

OldGuy

I have always used Mobil 15 50 in everything from racing motorcycles to my Twin Turbo to both my GT3's.
They sell it at Wally world in the big jug. Its Extremely hot here, but the red cap 15-50 is a high desert favorite. The red cap went away for awhile for that extended performance gold cap but the red cap fans
complained enough that Mobil brought it back much to our relief.

whyb2nd

W reps the low temp mark for oil, 0W, 5W etc. the second # is flow(per sae), the slower the oil flows in the test the higher the #.

jetskied

ZDP is important for wear on non hardened surfaces such as pushrods, no roller cams and lifters. The disadvantage is that phosphate destroys catalytic converters. ZDP has been lowered over the years as response to tightening of emissions. The newer Porsche from the 90's on up have hardened materials on their engines and the newer oil is fine. The older stuff needs higher ZDP such as Truck/HD oil. FWIW Mobil is Europe has been using 5W40 for years, but the adequate US 0W40 protects just as well. Anyone who says the weight makes a different just does not understand that oil protection is based on flow rather then weight. The lower end of the ratio is the flow at cold weather, and the higher end is the high tempature protection. A 5W does not protect more then a 0W if both are 40 weight.
Edit: I forgot we are talking about turbos, as we know that turbo bearings take a beating also. Extra ZDP would benifit turbo bearings. I not sure whats the level of ZDP in euro 5w40 compared to 0w40, but extra ZDP would be beficial. Unfortunate though the cats would not last as long, but it should make it until you sell the car or need some major engine work. Either way 5W40 is nothing new and has been recomended for years before the 997s. 0W40 is the US recomendation due to the lack of 5W40 by Mobil.

Alcyon

Please,have a look at this interesting link:
http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=426450

Alcyon

Compare that with the Mobil 1:


Mobil 1 0W-40



HTHS Viscosity, mPaˇs @ 150ēC ASTM D 4683
3.6