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Old 08-02-2022, 04:01 PM   #1
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'99 base 986 2.5l which engine oil should I use?

Recently bought this car. It currently has synthetic 5w-40 in it that was 3/4 liter overfilled (I just drained some out, no issues)

When I do my next oil change, what engine oil do you recommend I use?
I live in the San Francisco East Bay where the temps are mostly higher than 50 degrees F

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Old 08-02-2022, 05:10 PM   #2
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The forum's internal search engine is terrible, but searching the forum with Google, Bing, or your favorite search engine should get lots of results and opinions.

Click ---> https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3A986forum.com+%22what+oil%22+%22bes t%22



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Old 08-02-2022, 05:29 PM   #3
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Thank you for the links. After reading those, and weighing my average temps are warm, the car has only 34K miles. I think the 5w-40 synthetic is fine.

If anyone wishes to opine otherwise, I am open to hearing the reasoning.
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Old 08-03-2022, 04:55 AM   #4
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I use Kirkland extra virgin olive oil
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Old 08-03-2022, 06:54 AM   #5
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I use Kirkland extra virgin olive oil
But doesn't that make it slippery when you try to grip the steering wheel?
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Old 08-03-2022, 09:57 AM   #6
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I so much enjoy another ‘what oil should I use?’ thread. My advise is get some that is super slippery and change it often.
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Old 08-03-2022, 10:43 AM   #7
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I so much enjoy another ‘what oil should I use?’ thread. My advise is get some that is super slippery and change it often.
I'm new to Porsche.

I thought it best to ask to see if there were any known problems caused by the wrong oils.

Is it not true that the wrong weight oil can cause problems?

For the record, I specifically asked which engine oil to use for my parameters of being a stock 2.5 l and living in a warm never freezing environment.
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Old 08-03-2022, 03:19 PM   #8
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For the '99 5 speed I just went to my local Porsche dealer and bought 3 quarts of the special gear oil, since it is 'special' :0)

So no one has any reason to NOT continue using synthetic 5w-40 engine oil for my '99 2.5 l base model with the 40-100 F ambient temps where I live?
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Old 08-03-2022, 03:23 PM   #9
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I'm new to Porsche.

I thought it best to ask to see if there were any known problems caused by the wrong oils.

Is it not true that the wrong weight oil can cause problems?

For the record, I specifically asked which engine oil to use for my parameters of being a stock 2.5 l and living in a warm never freezing environment.
For temps generally above 50-F
10w-40 15W40 15w-50 are the recommended oil viscosity's.

I always look for a brand and viscosity that is readily available.
Last thing I want is to go to do an oil change and can't get the oil I generally use.
So for me it is Mobil 1 synthetic in 10w-40
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Old 08-03-2022, 03:39 PM   #10
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Thank you for your opinion, I think the 10w-40 seems more appropriate than 5w given my warmer temps. I'll source some for my next change.

I'm also going to "upgrade" to the oil filter adapter that lets me use 'regular ' oil filters
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Old 08-03-2022, 03:48 PM   #11
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For temps generally above 50-F
10w-40 15W40 15w-50 are the recommended oil viscosity's.

I always look for a brand and viscosity that is readily available.
Last thing I want is to go to do an oil change and can't get the oil I generally use.
So for me it is Mobil 1 synthetic in 10w-40
I just ordered 2x5 quarts of synthetic mobil 1. 10w40 from walmart, only $48 for 10 quarts. Seems like a good deal
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Old 08-03-2022, 05:08 PM   #12
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I just ordered 2x5 quarts of synthetic mobil 1. 10w40 from walmart, only $48 for 10 quarts. Seems like a good deal
Yes $24.00 for the 5 quart jug at wally-world is the same that I pay.
They generally always have some on hand.
I tend to keep two jugs on hand so I am not caught short.
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Old 08-04-2022, 05:29 AM   #13
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Porsche has a standard that any oil they recommend has to meet and it is designated ‘A 40’

Here is an A40 list from a couple of years back.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10166908-0001.pdf

I hope this helps.
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Old 08-04-2022, 09:04 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by paulofto View Post
Porsche has a standard that any oil they recommend has to meet and it is designated ‘A 40’

Here is an A40 list from a couple of years back.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10166908-0001.pdf

I hope this helps.

Thank you for the info. I noticed that their recommended ranges of 5w-40 to 0w-40 say nothing about ambient temperatures...
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Old 08-04-2022, 09:26 AM   #15
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I found the manual for this car, here is what it recommends:
For mostly over 50F it is saying 10W-40 in synthetic

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