Something i found interesting about 'reccomended oils"

[The Shape]

I was looking at different ford models made for australia. They definently have us beat on selection when it comes to performance cars. But I ended up clicking on a link that took me to Castrol's australian website, where you put in your vehichle and it tells you the manufactures reccomended oil weight. I found it intersting that for instance the 2002 Fairmont which still had the 5.0 engine reccomended 10W-40 as opposed to the 5w-30 recommnded in the states. Alot of the eighties years for 302/351 powered cars reccomended 20W-50. I realize they have a hot climate, but I wouldn't think any worse that arizona or texas. There 4.6/5.4 mod motor cars call for dino 10w-40 or synthetic 0W-40 not 5w-20 as they do here. I realize they recomend the lighter weights here because it helps gas mileage, which helps sell more cars. But wouldn't that be a selling point in australia as well???


(I sometimes have WAY to much free time at work)

 

[bgjohnson]

no we have more rules i believe on emissions and efficiency. and i mean hell if they still have a 5.0 or 351 is a brand new car i don't think they worry about it as much because it most likely being a performance car. but also they make an excuse on bearing clearances and blah blah blah, it's just for gas mileage.

 

[The Shape]

Hadn't thought of that, but I suppose they would have different emmisions reglations.

 

[HISSIN50]

James, that is something I have done as well. They often use MUCH heavier weights over there (like 30W-80). I also do the same as you are - lookin at what is used in the same motor, but where CAFE is not a concern (to see if the reason for the thin oil is CAFE or tolerances and passages).

Interesting stuff I think.

 

[The Shape]

Yeah I found it very interesting. Oh and check your PM box Hissin. on edit: Are you serious on the 30W-80 that sounds like syrup

 

[90mustangGT]

That is interesting. 5W20 conventional oil, it's like water. Many newer engines are using smaller and smaller clearances, so that might have something to do with it all. What also confuses me is how so many newer cars have 7500 to 12000 mile intervals between oil changes. Such as M1's new extended performance line. What kills the lubercation of the oil is usually the contanimates a lot more than the actual breakdown of the oil. A good oil filter can get out the particals, but what about moisture and Hydrocarbons (exaust and fuel leakage) cannot be filtered out, so the only way is to change your oil.

Another thing about conventional oil, many companies put in additives which detiorate the lubercation qualities such as vecosity modifiers that change the range of oil, turning it into 5w30, 10w30, 15w40, ect. The best lubercation oil is straight oil, such as SAE30, SAE40, SAE50. The lubercate about as good as a synthetic, but dont' have the ranges of conditions. Synthetics do lubercate and protect better over a wider range of conditions than a conventional dino oil.

 

[BlackFox5.0]

The best lubercation oil is straight oil, such as SAE30, SAE40, SAE50. The lubercate about as good as a synthetic, but dont' have the ranges of conditions. Synthetics do lubercate and protect better over a wider range of conditions than a conventional dino oil.

Maybe, but straight oil doesn't have any detergants in it which is what helps keep the internals cleaner. If our fuels were much cleaner, then oil changes would be much less frequent. If you ever look the oil in a propane engine its still golden. It's only black because of the gasoline. Ever seen diesel engine oil? That stuff is as black as black can be.

 

[HISSIN50]

5W-20, almost by definition, is a blend. I was skeptical of it, but the UOA's I have seen from it look good, even with extended OCI's.

Then again, a lot of guys use 0W-40 once out of the warranty period.

The Gp VII pack is only really an issue with lower grade conventional oils which have a large range (i.e. 10W-40 in the old days, etc). As Jason said, the closer the range, the less shear-down there is likely to be. If I was worried about the shear down, I would simply change oil sooner. It is not much of an issue these days, as the oils are much better than they were even 10 years ago, and that most folks dont run dino oils over 5K miles.

 

[HISSIN50]

Yeah I found it very interesting. Oh and check your PM box Hissin. on edit: Are you serious on the 30W-80 that sounds like syrup

Now check your PM box.

Yeah, they have some seriously thick oils down there. Ditto in some countries in the East.

 

[The Shape]

I can't imagine how bad the bearing tolerances or how hot outside it would need to be that 30w-80 is required to keep pressure.

 

[HISSIN50]

The same is often thought about folks using 20W-50 here. The purists freak when they hear someone mention it.

I want to see some - I bet it is not that thick if poured in a warm climate (Western Aus is HOT). Who really knows though.

 

[The Shape]

True it probably isn't that much thicker than 20W-50 and 20W-50 pours plenty freely on a warm summers day.