Winter: Synthetic v. Synthetic Blends

[Jesda]

I'm considering the transition to synthetic, and may do a synthetic blend for a few oil changes before going to full synth.

Do synthetic blends have similar cold-weather flow characteristics as full synthetic? Or are they more like convention oil in that regard?

[Defiant]

I hope you realize you've just sat at the campfire and asked if anyone knows any ghost stories.

If you want to switch to synthetic, just do it.

In the real world, if you aren't at Little America, and aren't in the 22nd hour at LeMans, contemporary dinosaur oils are fully-up to 5000-mile changes. True that synthetics are better, but regular oils are fully-capable.

Now, the floodgates are open. Stand by to tread.

[elwesso]

for winter I really like the M1 0w40, its my favorite. This winter I probably will only run a conventional 5w30 since my driving during the winter will probably be limited....

my second favorite was valvoline durablend, for the money it was grand.... its probably gonna be my next fill......

[qship96]

I use Redline 5w-30 in winter,10w-30 other 3 seasons............I recommend Mobil 1 5w-30 winter,10w-30 other 3 seasons to all my friends who want to be able to pick it up almost everywhere- why go to a blend? not much cheaper for less of an oil? and 40 weight not needed unless engine is worn.

[szh]

for winter I really like the M1 0w40, its my favorite.

I use this too!

Winters are relatively mild here in San Jose, of course, but the convenience factor of not having to swap oils due to time-of-year (as opposed to just doing it when the miles get there) is my reason for just sticking to this formulation.

Z

[elwesso]

if you dont see 0F, its not winter....

50F is not cold!!!

[3Q Jay]

yeah, but we like the best of both worlds....excellent cold flow of a zero weight, the 40 when driving hot and hard, and of course the acea a3 rating.... too bad the damn stuff is sooo hard to find now. walmart in my area hasn;t had it for months, autozone not for the last year....

edit: some mbenz mailorder shop has the 'european formulation' 0w40. anyone knows if this is the acea a1 and a3 rated? don't recall my old bottles reading 'euro form'.....

[Defiant]

edit: some mbenz mailorder shop has the 'european formulation' 0w40. anyone knows if this is the acea a1 and a3 rated? don't recall my old bottles reading 'euro form'.....

Mularkey. Stay with API-rated for here. Not that some "Euro" thing would do any damage, it just won't be worth the cost.

German car stuff is usually a bit over-the-hedge, anyway. Teutonic fanatics.

[maxnix]

German car stuff is usually a bit over-the-hedge, anyway. Teutonic fanatics.

Yeah, those Porsche guys are such laggrds they don't even know into which end the engines should be installed.

But I wouldn't link them to cartoon animals.

[Gerardjg]

50F is not cold!!!

You are right 50 is freezing

[Jesda]

Found something:http://www.micapeak.com/info/oiled.html

Running Castrol 10w30 right now. Looks like synthetic blends don't help in the winter, and you have to go with a full synthetic.

Dealer carries Castrol, so Syntec will be chosen for my next oil change.

[maxnix]

You are right 50 is freezing

That's when the denizens of the street don their parkas here.

Really.

[texasoil]

It doesn't get cold enough in San Jose to keep beer cool enough todrink. Heck, coffee never cools down!. Unless you are planning trips up into Yosemeti or Tahoe, a premium 10W30 is ideal for your area year round. Frequent forrays to the 'ski slopes' would leave you marginal starting at -20F if you were there. Anything above 0 F is fine for 10W30.