Author Topic: thinner oil? (Read 6080 times)

chrissev · « **on:** December 19, 2004, 08:45:34 pm »

well it's -23 degrees celcius right now in Southern Ontario (Toronto). Jetta TD started without a block heater (amazingly enough, I really didn't expect it to) after I cranked it for a minute or so, probably wasn't so good for the starter. But the oil pressure took a long time to build up (oil light flashing). Upon pouring some more oil into it from a bottle of 10/30 in the trunk I noticed that the oil is like thick syrup, almost frozen. I couldn't even get it all out of the bottle. If anyone is in a really northern place, what oil do you use in your engine when it is below -20 outside? If these temperatures keep up and we get a really cold winter I may need to change the oil for something thinner.

Rat407 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 19, 2004, 10:17:15 pm »

If I was in that cold of a climate I would put synthetic in. Just can't beat that performance in the extreme cold. You can get Mobil 1's SUV/Truck 5w-40 oil. it is diesel rated, or AMSOIL's European spec 5w-40, or Series 3000 5w-30 oil, both which are diesel rated. Those would be my choices in temps that low.

srivett · « **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2004, 10:21:34 pm »

I use Rotella 0w40 but it's an expensive oil change at 18$ for an oil filter and another 60$ for two jugs of oil.

Today it was -35 in Sudbury and my engine spun over great and for a long time! Too bad it didn't start...it wasn't plugged in. After 30 minutes of being plugged in with a block heater and engine heater she started alright with the cold start lever pushed in and the pedal to the floor. Once the car would run without my foot off the pedal I pulled out the lever. My battery is a one month old Interstate 650CCA and I have new battery cables. The engine is also low on compression but still starts without being plugged in with -20 weather. I'll be making a cover for my rad tonight...if you get stuck behind somebody going slow you'll freeze to death without one.

Cheers, Steve

chrissev · « **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2004, 11:27:56 pm »

Quote from: "Rat407"

If I was in that cold of a climate I would put synthetic in. Just can't beat that performance in the extreme cold. You can get Mobil 1's SUV/Truck 5w-40 oil. it is diesel rated, or AMSOIL's European spec 5w-40, or Series 3000 5w-30 oil, both which are diesel rated. Those would be my choices in temps that low.

if I switch over to synthetic (next time it goes above -10 and I can do it without freezing to death) do I need to change the filter or can I just use the one that is in it now?

chrissev · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2004, 11:38:17 pm »

Quote from: "srivett"

I use Rotella 0w40 but it's an expensive oil change at 18$ for an oil filter and another 60$ for two jugs of oil.

Today it was -35 in Sudbury and my engine spun over great and for a long time! Too bad it didn't start...it wasn't plugged in. After 30 minutes of being plugged in with a block heater and engine heater she started alright with the cold start lever pushed in and the pedal to the floor. Once the car would run without my foot off the pedal I pulled out the lever. My battery is a one month old Interstate 650CCA and I have new battery cables. The engine is also low on compression but still starts without being plugged in with -20 weather. I'll be making a cover for my rad tonight...if you get stuck behind somebody going slow you'll freeze to death without one.

Cheers, Steve

Thanks. Re: cold start lever pushed in. When I was starting my jetta today it was kicking but not catching with the lever pushed in, so I started playing with the lever while I cranked it, pulling it out and pushing it back in. So I pulled it all the way out while cranking and the car started. Ran really rough and I had to keep the pedal half way down, but it ran. I was quite pleased, as I couldn't see any hills nearby that I could push her down if I drained the battery and needed to bump start her.

janb · « **Reply #5 on:** December 20, 2004, 12:02:53 am »

Quote from: "chrissev"

Quote from: "Rat407"
..
Those would be my choices in temps that low.

if I switch over to synthetic (next time it goes above -10 and I can do it without freezing to death) do I need to change the filter or can I just use the one that is in it now?

Yes...the filter is full of dino oil.. $3.80 for my last Mann filter, cheap insurance
Synthetic is really the way to go when that cold (Optima batteries help too)

chrissev · « **Reply #6 on:** December 20, 2004, 09:07:51 am »

Quote from: "janb"

Quote from: "chrissev"
Quote from: "Rat407"
..
Those would be my choices in temps that low.

if I switch over to synthetic (next time it goes above -10 and I can do it without freezing to death) do I need to change the filter or can I just use the one that is in it now?

Yes...the filter is full of dino oil.. $3.80 for my last Mann filter, cheap insurance
Synthetic is really the way to go when that cold (Optima batteries help too)

Thanks. It's -25 today so I am going to put some synthetic in this afternoon in the garage (hopefully I don't get frostbite). This weather is far too cold for 10/30 oil. Looks like it is going to be a cold winter.

farkman · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2004, 09:42:53 am »

Chrissev

Since your in Toronto, you can go to a Canadian Tire or Walmart and pick up some Castrol Syntec 0W30. It's VW 505.00 rated and pours down to past -50. If you choose to get this oil make sure it says "Made in Germany" on the back and look at the bottom of the bottle as well. It should have a code beginning with M04, the newest batch, or M03, the older batch.

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #8 on:** December 20, 2004, 12:36:21 pm »

Quote from: "chrissev"

Thanks. It's -25 today so I am going to put some synthetic in this afternoon in the garage (hopefully I don't get frostbite). This weather is far too cold for 10/30 oil. Looks like it is going to be a cold winter.

i've had the same problem the past couple days... engine is slow to crank over in this cold..long oil light times. i just hooked the cable for the block heater back up and plugged it in... i'm going to run out and get some 0W30 and change it this afternoon. ya it feels like about -20C out there right now. at least you have a garage chrissev... i just crawled out from under the car, no worries man you wont get frostbite :lol:

Rat407 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 20, 2004, 01:14:54 pm »

Quote from: "farkman"

Chrissev

Since your in Toronto, you can go to a Canadian Tire or Walmart and pick up some Castrol Syntec 0W30. It's VW 505.00 rated and pours down to past -50. If you choose to get this oil make sure it says "Made in Germany" on the back and look at the bottom of the bottle as well. It should have a code beginning with M04, the newest batch, or M03, the older batch.

Forgot about the German made Castrol. It is kind of new around here. That is a true POA synthetic and a good choice as well.

Yes, change the filter out. It is easy and like janb said it isn't expensive for a quality Mann or Mahle.

chrissev · « **Reply #10 on:** December 20, 2004, 07:02:27 pm »

I almost got the 0W30, then went with 5w40 Castrol syntec instead. Reason why is I'm not sure how long it will be this cold. If it goes back up to near 0 degrees then the thin 0w30 might be too thin for it. It was -17 when I put the 5w40 syntec in and it had been sitting in the trunk all day and it poured like 10w30 dino oil on a hot summer's day so I think I will be ok with it. The test will be tomorrow morning when I try to start it after what will probably be a low of -20 or so tonight. I almost did freeze the tips of my fingers off changing it, and the ratchet froze so I had to use a wrench (condensation inside I guess). Nutty weather, this.

srivett · « **Reply #11 on:** December 20, 2004, 07:23:47 pm »

I left a jug of 0w40 outside last night and it was quite a bit thicker than the jug I kept inside. The temperature was about -25 so I think I'll try the Castrol once I go through another 15,000+km of this stuff. Well, assuming there's another 15 weeks of really cold winter left.

Steve

farkman · « **Reply #12 on:** December 20, 2004, 10:50:49 pm »

Chrissev

The reason I suggested Castrol 0W-30 was because it is nearly the most perfect oil for winter. Really thin when cold and it's a real thick 30 weight when warm. In fact, it it was any thicker it could be labelled as a 40 weight. I'm not saying that the 5W-40 was a bad choice, it's still a pretty good oil, but the 0W-30 is even better and at a slightly lower cost, if I still remember correctly. But in the end, all that really matters is that your car starts in the morning.

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #13 on:** December 21, 2004, 10:56:53 am »

thanks for the tip peter... went to walmart and got the castrol syn 0w30... its like water. perfect for this weather. i dunno about you guys but even with mostly city driving it feels like its time to change the oil every month and a half or so... i'll be ready to do another oil change before it gets too warm for that stuff!

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #14 on:** December 21, 2004, 11:27:07 am »

...just fired up the TD first time since i changed the oil yesterday... started like summer time... granted its only about -10C now. oil light went out immediately... used to take 10 seconds with summer weight..