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Winter oil for '94 2.5 in South Dakota

Hello,

Recently moved to South Dakota and wondering which oil to use in the '94 2.5 L minivan. All the other cars and motorcycles we own have a range that'll work here, but the MOPAR doesn't seem to.

I don't have the numbers in front of me now, but I think they said to use 10W30 from 0 to 100 F, and to use 5W30 for below 32 F. There is a warning to not use 5W30 above 32 F.

I've never spent a winter here, but I am hoping it might top 32F mid-day a few times? (I mean, it's not _North Dakota!) I'm pretty sure that it'll be below 0 (F) most mornings. Since the car will be used first thing in the morning, and for a lunchtime highway run to kindergarten most days, I'm not sure what to do.

This van uses some oil, and I hesitate to switch to a synthetic (in fact, I'm threatening to switch to store brand (from Castrol) if it doesn't slow down, but that's another issue...). I haven't worked out whether or not it'll be plugged in over night, and there is an unheated garage it'll sleep in.

Thanks,

Bob Fourney

Reply to
Robert S. Fourney
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"Robert S. Fourney" wrote

I don't know who says you can't use 5W30 above 32F but they're nuts. The "30" relates to the hot-temperature viscosity and is the same for both oils. Just switch over to the winter oil on your next oil change and you'll be fine.

Here in Eastern Ontario where the coldest mornings are easily -30F I use semi-synthetic for the really cold months, because it doesn't gel up as much. Makes cold-weather staring a lot easier.

These rules are the same for your 2.5 as most other engines.

Reply to
Dave Gower

Chrysler?

I understand the theory, and that (in theory) both the 5W30 and the

10W30 are "30" when hot. I remember "back in the day" we wouldn't run a multigrade in air-cooled engines because they broke down a lot quicker. (e.g., the 10W30 was 30 when hot, but only for 700 miles (made up numbers), then it was Here in Eastern Ontario where the coldest mornings are easily -30F I use

Do you plug it in? Park outside? I'm expecting -20, not sure if I'll see -30. Folks here have told me I shouldn't even need a block heater. I had the head off in July, so don't need to change the coolant yet, and was thinking I might try w/out a block heater (at least to start with) this season. Thoughts?

Bob Fourney

Reply to
Robert S. Fourney

Well maintained, modern, fuel-injected engines do not "need" the block heater plugged in down to about -30. The shot of fuel directly into the combustion chamber or intake manifold will generally make it start if it can turn over at all.

That said, they will all "benefit" from the use of a block heater. That little bit of warmth in the block will allow the engine to turn over more easily, it will allow the oil to flow more freely and it will pump heat out the defroster a little earlier. If you set a timer so that it turns on about 1.5 hours before you need it, it wont use too much electricity.

Dan

Reply to
Dan Gates

"Robert S. Fourney" wrote

Yes and yes on the coldest nights.

I think if you use semi-synthetic, a battery warmer is better than a block heater, since a warm battery can turn over an engine if the oil doesn't get too thick.

Reply to
Dave Gower

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