winter oil thickness and my poor car :( - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Yoshi · 11-07-2003, 12:36 PM

okay guys, this is painful for me to say, but here goes.
in the past week or so temp has been fluctuating A LOT. You have to understand that where I live, temp can change as much as 60degrees over a 12 hr period, its nuts.

My car currently has 20w50 in it, which was fine and great (redtop)... this morning winter offcially hit, it was 45 yesterday evening, and when i got up, it was 17degrees. I had no choice but to drive my car to work, I think the oil is way too thick and can't handle the cold. I had a very bad feeling, but I was late as it was, so off i went.

Now my car stutters above 4k or so, and I boost is all over the place

I haven't had time to go back out and check for pipe leaks or BOV leaks for the boost, but I'm really worried. I think I'm going to get some 5w30 during my lunch break... but someone please tell me I didn't severely screw something up!

I'm in the middle of the "oh sh|t-what-if-my-engine-is-fux0r'd" panic stage, since I can't go play with it

HiPSI · 11-07-2003, 01:03 PM

just let it warm up very well before driving and change it to lighter weight asap and you'll be fine. it's only if it's that cold and you jump in and run that you'll have something to really worry about

mbmbmb23 · 11-08-2003, 09:44 AM

You using synthetic oil?? I would use mobil 1 synthetic 10 w 30 for winter.

-m

mistaanime · 11-08-2003, 10:06 AM

yeah me too..except mine has a leek..so it kinda juss drips out.

Kid Zelda · 11-08-2003, 10:45 AM

Yoshi

I ran 20-50w Mobil, for 10 mins, the car felt like a slug, I changed it out to 10-40w, all was well

.. except my pockect ...

Yoshi · 11-08-2003, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kid Zelda
Yoshi

I ran 20-50w Mobil, for 10 mins, the car felt like a slug, I changed it out to 10-40w, all was well .. except my pockect ...

Hmm.. I think I'll try that when it warms up again, but for now, I need to get something that can handle sub-zero temps... anyone have any suggestions? remember this is for turbo app.

HiPSI: thanks man, that's exactly what it was, typically i let the car warm up for a while, but i was way late for a meeting and didn't have time. On my way home, I let it idle for 5-10mins before I took off and it was fine again.

uiuc240 · 11-09-2003, 11:55 PM

Yoshi.

5w-30 is best for winter. 10w-30 will be fine if you can't get the 5w-30.

I just put on my snow tires today :-)

Eric

11-07-2003, 12:36 PM	#1
Yoshi Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Washington Age: 48 Posts: 3,003 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: Yoshi Feedback Score: 1 reviews	winter oil thickness and my poor car :( okay guys, this is painful for me to say, but here goes. in the past week or so temp has been fluctuating A LOT. You have to understand that where I live, temp can change as much as 60degrees over a 12 hr period, its nuts. My car currently has 20w50 in it, which was fine and great (redtop)... this morning winter offcially hit, it was 45 yesterday evening, and when i got up, it was 17degrees. I had no choice but to drive my car to work, I think the oil is way too thick and can't handle the cold. I had a very bad feeling, but I was late as it was, so off i went. Now my car stutters above 4k or so, and I boost is all over the place I haven't had time to go back out and check for pipe leaks or BOV leaks for the boost, but I'm really worried. I think I'm going to get some 5w30 during my lunch break... but someone please tell me I didn't severely screw something up! I'm in the middle of the "oh sh\|t-what-if-my-engine-is-fux0r'd" panic stage, since I can't go play with it __________________ www.360realms.com/S13-S15

11-07-2003, 01:03 PM	#2
HiPSI Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Buford, GA Posts: 522 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	just let it warm up very well before driving and change it to lighter weight asap and you'll be fine. it's only if it's that cold and you jump in and run that you'll have something to really worry about __________________ SR motor set/clip $2500+, FMIC kit $700+, Downpipe $100+, 3" exhaust $500+, Misc install parts $100+, Shop labor for install $1000+ and you still only make 220rwhp for $5000 so what's so CHEAP about the SR swap again?

11-08-2003, 09:44 AM	#3
mbmbmb23 Zilvia Contributor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Charlotte, NC. Posts: 1,776 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: mbmbmb23 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	You using synthetic oil?? I would use mobil 1 synthetic 10 w 30 for winter. -m __________________ 400x200

11-08-2003, 10:06 AM	#4
mistaanime Nissanaholic! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Nine -1- Six Posts: 1,934 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	yeah me too..except mine has a leek..so it kinda juss drips out. __________________ -Cherry Red 91 Silfourty-

11-09-2003, 11:55 PM	#7
uiuc240 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Naperville, IL Age: 46 Posts: 2,093 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yoshi. 5w-30 is best for winter. 10w-30 will be fine if you can't get the 5w-30. I just put on my snow tires today :-) Eric __________________ 2002 Mazda Protege5 1989 S13 w/SR20DET (sold)

11-08-2003, 10:45 AM	#5
Kid Zelda BANNED Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 2,347 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yoshi I ran 20-50w Mobil, for 10 mins, the car felt like a slug, I changed it out to 10-40w, all was well .. except my pockect ...