Oil viscosities - general recommendations?

go to

and do some reading. SAE20 isn't appropriate for ANY automotive application. Ford is the only one using a 5W20, and it's spec for the oil is a very stout synthetic package. just use what the manufacturor specs and you'll not be risking your engine.

-Bret

5W30 or | >:|a 10W30, and I think some might even require a 5W20, but I don't know which | >:|cars those are. My question is, are the older guidelines for single grade oils | >:|pretty much the same: sae 30 for temperatures around 40 or above- etc.? I | >:|can't remember exactly what the temperature cut-off ranges are. I've got 5 | >:|gallons of sae 20W that I plan on using during the 2nd quarter of the year: | >:|March - June. The two vehicles that I currently have are a '93 GMC Safari Van, | >:|and an '03 Chevy S10. Also, I have a bunch of 10W40 which I guess I can use | >:|during the hottest months- at least in the van. | >:|I'm very interested in hearing all about this stuff from those of you who have | >:|the answsers. | >:|Thanks, Dale | >:| snipped-for-privacy@aol.com | >:| | >:| | >:|TeleDale Key Service, | >:|| >:|1811 Saratoga Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44109 U.S.A.| | go to and do some reading. SAE20 isn't | appropriate for ANY automotive application. Ford is the only one | using a 5W20, and it's spec for the oil is a very stout synthetic | package. just use what the manufacturor specs and you'll not be | risking your engine. | | -Bret

Chrysler and Honda also spec 5W20 for some applications. There may be others. It's not just Ford recommending 5W20 viscosity oil.

That's correct, I read the only reason that they specify that oil weight is to make their fuel mileage numbers.

Brian

Another good site:

I would dump the 10W40. Read the sections about Viscosity Improvers. They can be really hard on your engine.

Straight 20 is probably OK. Many years ago I remember a guy, who was a district representative for an oil company, that used nothing but straight

10 weight all year. He put on a lot of hard miles. I guess I would dispose of all of it, but I am biased as I won't use anything but synthetic in my engines (including and especially air cooled mowers, snow blowers and generators).

Thanks to all who responded. I will look at those web pages. Dale

TeleDale Key Service,

1811 Saratoga Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44109 U.S.A.