Toto8

Hey Guys,

Does anyone have experience with both 5W30 and 10W40 conventional oil in hot climate? If so, what's better and why? Thanks for any input.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

The base viscosity of 10W-40 oil is indicated by the 10, so it is a thicker oil than the 5W-30. Both oils are rated for use in winter (the W), and the last number is their maximum cold-weather viscosity - again the 10W-40 is thicker, with a viscosity of 40 versus 30.

these oils were created for WINTER weather, I use strait 30w in the HOT summer months for greatest protection, here in Texas. BUT Lexus says 5w30 is recommended if the temperature is below 100 degrees......

all of which makes no sense to me because our thermostats run our motors at 240 degrees.... but our pressure caps keep it below the boiling point... still close to 200 degrees... go figure... lol.

YoshiMan

I always wondered that too!

What part of Nevada?

If I were in Vegas, for example,where the temperature hits 117 degrees in the summer, I would probably use the thicker weight myself.

I always use 5W-30 here in Denver, as the temperatures are ideal year round for the weight.

Toto8

Yes, I'm in Vegas and am thinking on using 10W40 for summer, but would like to stay with one weight year round. Do you think that is a good idea? It does get a little nippy here in December and January.

YoshiMan

Check in the owners manual, it shows the temperature range of what oils you can use. I'm willing ot bet it would be okay, but if you don't have the manual, i'll take a look at mine later..

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

even in super hot weather i would still use the recommended 5w30. the motor operating temp stays the same year round regardless of ambient temp.

more here!
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-101/

python

iTrader: (4)

i would switch to synthetic

Toto8

Thanks, Timmy...I didn't think about the motor operating temp being the key. I will use 5W30. I'm going to pass on synthetic, as the car only has 59K miles and synthetic seems to make engines a bit noisier, particularly the valve sounds. Thanks for all input.

anesthesia

Yeah, I would stick with the 5w-30 as rec. by Manuel. It shouldn't matter you live in Nevada, most important is changing it often 3-4k mile

Toto8

Btw, what convention oil 5W30 do you recommend and why?

stopdrpnro

with the constant deals and longer interval why wouldn't you go synthetic? did my last oil synthetic change for $8 after discounts