Which type of oil

[Andrew Tollison 3]

It's time to change the oil in the ST again and was wondering if i should switch to a heavier weight this time because it is getting colder. I am running Mobile 1 5W 30 synthetic with a K&N oil filter.

 

[Bill Ellis]

You do not ever need to use anything but the recommended 5W30 for normal driving conditions. If you were racing in hot weather you would want to use heavier oil, maybe 10W40. If you are in a very cold climate like the artic, you might go to 0W20. Use 5W30 and you will have no problems if you are in the US.

 

[Michael Cacioppo]

I don't really believe that you ever have to go above 5 weight oil as the first (cold viscosity) number. In fact 0 weight has more than enough cold viscosity and better cold flow volume. The upper number (hot viscocity) should be 30 at normal opearting temperatures and load. When racing or in very warm climates uping to 40 or more will help oil from thinning out too much. I personally would not go to the 10WXX but stay with a 5WXX or 0WXX oil.

 

[Raser x]

I use Royal Purple 5w30 full synthetic. It $70 a 12 qt. case. enough for two and a half changes. But you only have to change the oil every 5000 miles.



On a different note. What oil filter are you using? I'm currently using the Fram tough guard filter. Fram seems to get a bad rap on their standard filters. But the tough guard has done me well.

Raserx

 

[EddieS'04]

Stick with the 5-30, any change from it requires extreme conditions....racing or cold...

 

[Johnny O]

and was wondering if i should switch to a heavier weight this time because it is getting colder.

If anything you want a lighter oil in cold, but Mobil 1 5w-30 is one of the best oils there is and I have the used oil analysis from the lab to prove it. Once I tried Mobil 1 0w-30 for the winter and the lab results were worse than I had with the 5w, this was in my Ranger with the same engine as the Trac has. If you're running Mobil 1 5w-30 with a K&N, that's top shelf and I wouldn't change a thing.



www.blackstone-labs.com

 

[Andrew Tollison 3]

thanks for the replys, I am going to just stay with the 5w 30, I have a extra jug in the garage I am going to use that I did not use on the ranger I had.

 

[Michael Cacioppo]

JohnnyO, I am curious about the lab analysis with 0W and 5W. The startup oil pressures for 0W is more than adequate and the flow rates are higher.

 

[Nelson Atwell]

Raserx,



I'm pretty sure the owners manual calls for oil changes at 4500 mile intervals. Why would Royal Purple only be good for an additional 500 miles? :unsure:

 

[TomT]

I just started using Royal Purple. Got a good deal (2 cases for $78). I'm using 10-30 which seems a little better suited for down here on the gulf coast. Plan on changing it at 7K the first time and then maybe 8-10K from there on. The RP rep I bought it from says he knows people going 15K between changes without any problems but I'm not willing to go that far. I'm with you Nelson. I don't understand why anyone would use a premium synthetic and change it at 5K. A good Dino will last that long. Unless you have extreme driving conditions. I know in the "old" days we were taught to change at 3K but todays oil is supposedly much better formulated then it was 20-30 years ago.

 

[Raser x]

Hey Nelson,

I always base my oil changes on 3000 miles (habit). Since I started witht the royal stuff I have gone to 5000. Miles. My 98 M3 used to have a 7000 mile schedual. But I still stuck with the 3000 mile (guess I'm too anal).



As for the oil weight..I have been using 10w40 in my 94 Ranger just like I used to use in my 88 Ranger. It now has 110,000 miles on it. Doesn't smoke and runs great and I have run it hard all its life.



The point? I recently found out the factory called for 5W30!!!



Raserx:wacko:

 

[Deleted deleted]

I wouldn't recommend going beyond the factory recommended change intervals, as if you had a engine problem, they may void your warranty. You think Royal Purple would jump in and send you a check for a new engine?

 

[Kelly Traylor]

Have I voided the warrenty on my 2001 ST with 68k on it?



I am using Castrol Syntec 10w30 with an oversized Pure One filter.



I sure hope my engine doesn't fall out!



KatManT

 

[Deleted deleted]

lol Kat, of course if you're out of warranty, it don't matter. I just don't believe in these 15K extended drain intervals that the snake oil preachers will tell folks.

 

[Michael Cacioppo]

Actual oil test with synthetics. Obviously you can go longer than 3K miles. They did a detailed test with Amsoil and Mobile 1.