Vadim540i

I've heard that high mileage cars need 10W-30 instead of 5W-30 due to worn seals etc. I have 124k and my crank seal as well as some other ones were changed at dealer by previous owner at about 98k. It's time for an oil change for me. I'm using Royal Purple in my cars, should I go for 5W-30 or 10W-30? Btw I live in Nor Cal which is pretty warm here but I'm planning to go to snow in winter sometimes.

Thanks.

jcat_350

you should be fine with 5w-30.

Vadim540i

Thanks .

UncleRay

iTrader: (2)

5w-30 is mostly intended for the summers, 10w-30 for the winters. I use 10w all year long for maximum gas mileage.

1996gs300

GS400RcrX, don't you have that backwards? thinner oil will give you the better milage. Many new cars such as ford use 5w-20 for better milage and less emissions. 10w-30 will be good for summer, where 5w-30 will be better in the winter as it flow better on startup.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

If it ain't broke, done fix!! I wouldn't worry about changing weight until maybe your engine gets really loud or the weather changes dramatically.

I have 0w-20 in my car right now because previously, my daily commute was down the street so the engine did not get hot enough to provide maximum lubrication. Now that I'm back on the highway, I'm going to switch back to the original 5w-30.

ItsChris

iTrader: (16)

usually for me, with over 100k+ miles i would use 20w-50 because the clearance of the piston rings and rod bearings are starting to wear down. If you use a thinner oil there's more play in the clearances on higher mileage cars. With a higher viscosity, you loose some gas mileage but overall protects the engine better, because heavier oil weight has less of a play in the clearance. 10w-30 is cool, if you want to use it year long, but 5w-30 is a bit thin on the lower end for me. Good luck.

MEANDAFAKA

i would use 10w-30, if the engine is very old or +150,000 miles. then i would use something like 10w-40 synthetic oil.

pwesseler

Does anyone use that Mobil 0-30 full synthetic? I'm thinking about it

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

Did you know the last import engine I tore down had specs still within tolerances of a new engine... No noticeable or appreciable wear...

Using 20W-50 is ridiculous, in fact, if anything it's almost asking for faster failure... Because the oil is thicker, it will drive oil pressure up, but the downside to high oil pressure is lower oil flow, which means not as much oil gets to the cam and crankshafts, and, more importantly, not as much gets pushed into the tiny holes and such that feed the pistons and other small orifices...

Use what the manufacturer calls for...

As for the mention about gas mileage and oil thickness - the thicker oils will reduce fuel mileage - not much, but it may be noticeable...

As a reference, my SC is 400 miles short of the 200k mark, and I still use 5W30 in it... As Gsteg mentioned, unless the engine is making noise or smoking, use the OE recommended weight... When/if you do have to go to a higher weight oil, it's probably time to start considering a rebuild or a trade-in...

Lexmex

Have you had any consumption issues?

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

Don't know about the OP, but my SC400 with 200K on her uses about a half quart every 5000 miles... Even new vehicles, that appears to be pretty common consumption rate sometimes...

gsCrazy

iTrader: (1)

my 1999 gs300 with 144,000 miles uses about a quart every 3000 miles. from what i've heard, that is normal.

genijet

I USE 20W 50W IN FLORIDA WINTER USE 20W40W CARL Genijet

PecosBill

iTrader: (2)

Ive always used 10w-30 Mobile1 full synthetic in my 98 SC with no problems