Motor Oil: 5w-30 Ok Here?

[JCL12]

Originally Posted by racer_d

I imagine for an oil change alone at an independent you are looking at $150-200. Sorry. Oil aint cheap and most shop rates are $100/hr around here. You could try one of the Curry's locations (I've used the Chantilly one, but they are also in Dulles and Falls Church). They did do some basic work (in fact, it may have been an oilchange) and some tire mounting for me.

When I had a major issue, they realized it was beyond their skills so I went to IMA. A firend of mine had a disasterous experience at their Dulles location with his 996. You have been warned

Wow...indy shop still 150-200? The dealership in upstate NY I was at was $160 lol!

The "disaster" at Dulles...was that Curry or IMA? IMA seems to be very near Dulles but actually in Chantilly. I wish I had mechanical skills or DIY skill...the best quote I have thus far is $725.

Lastly...I probably won't get around to getting an oil change for at least two weeks. I am going to make an assumption that driving with 5w30 won't do anything horrible since at one time this was on "the list" and will just be sub optimal... agree/disagree?

[Brucelee]

Personally, I WOULD get the oil of there right away. If my memory is correct, the viscosity of the 5W-30 oil at temp is quite a bit less than the 0W-40 oil. Why risk an issue in the VA heat for the cost of an oil change.

BTW-Do the oil change yourself and save the dough.

[Topless]

If it was my car (and it isn't) I would not sweat 5w30 oil at all for typical driving. Of course the 24hr Le Mans is out and probably the Pike's Peak race. Modern synthetic oils are light years ahead of standard 30w oil of just a few years ago. Just one guys opinion. Choose wisely.

[JCL12]

Originally Posted by Topless

If it was my car (and it isn't) I would not sweat 5w30 oil at all for typical driving. Of course the 24hr Le Mans is out and probably the Pike's Peak race. Modern synthetic oils are light years ahead of standard 30w oil of just a few years ago. Just one guys opinion. Choose wisely.

Since I am at 42K, I am in a very good spot to just take care of the 45K a little early and get the oil changed soon. It works out fine, because I'll have 18K between now and the 60K which will be well timed/scheduled to do 1 oil change between the 45K and 60K. ie, no added cost of planned maintenance from expedited intervals

Despite that, I was thinking...if its 60 out our 90 out, the engine is much much hotter than ambient air. The temp gauge is going to read about the same either way since I either drive on big roads or only take short trips for "city style" driving. As a result, I wonder how much this summer hear really affects oil viscosity.

[Brucelee]

The temp guage is not an accurate reflection of engine oil, it measures coolant temps and none to accurately at that.

An engine oil can exceed the coolant temp by up to 100 degrees and you would not know that.

Having said all that, why all the hand wringing on the oil change? The moron put the wrong oil in your car. Drain and fill. Take you like 30 minutes tops.

Good luck.

About 60% of your heat management (cooling) comes from the oil.

[Sputter]

There is a reason for the change from 5w-30. I'd change it asap. (since you're asking)