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5w20 vs 5w30

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Old Mar 29, 2008 | 10:40 PM
  #1  
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5w20 vs 5w30

This isn't a thread of synthetic vs non-synthetic.. or what brand to buy or not to buy.

Ive already been sold on Royal Purple but I'd like to see peoples personal preferences on 5w20 or 5w30, why one or the other.

al
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Old Mar 29, 2008 | 10:43 PM
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get 20 weight if you like being a peon to CAFE.

get 30 weight if you like more protection for your engine.

My car currently has 10w30 rp, next oil change goes to 15w40
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Old Mar 29, 2008 | 10:46 PM
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If you want to push your motor as much as possible without an early engine death then 5w30 or even Xw50 (replace the X with the number of ur choice, like 0, 5, 10, or 15) use straight grade only if ure area is pretty hot all year long.

If you're going to drive like your grandmother, redline like once per month, be part of the C.A.F.E. Supporter then go with 5w20
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Old Mar 29, 2008 | 11:44 PM
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nycgps I'm in Nyc with you, figure 5w30 will hold up fine?

al
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Old Mar 30, 2008 | 12:49 AM
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plan b.

and yes it will do just fine.

beers
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Old Mar 30, 2008 | 12:51 AM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by swoope
plan b.

and yes it will do just fine.

beers
thanks for the rp link.. im driving the car from ohio back here to nyc and will be stopping by in PA at the karlracing warehouse to pick up the case of rp!

al
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Old Mar 30, 2008 | 12:52 AM
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I've used 20-50 at the track before.
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Old Mar 30, 2008 | 12:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Razz1
I've used 20-50 at the track before.
I ran 20w50 in my 1st gen RX-7 and I never had a problem...
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Old Mar 30, 2008 | 12:57 AM
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I was thinking of switching to 5w30 when it gets warm around here (80 plus). Right now it is about 40 or so.
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Old Mar 30, 2008 | 01:18 AM
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so if you are in a area like the caribbean (like where i am - jamaica) where it's hot all year round, you guys recommend 5w30 ?
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Old Mar 30, 2008 | 01:40 AM
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yep.

beers
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Old Mar 30, 2008 | 02:31 AM
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We are lucky up here in Canada, the local branch of Exxon (Esso) makes an oil with a 100% polyalphaolefin basestock, in 0w30 and 0w40 grades.

Of course, I'll also be going straight to Hell because it's one of themthere newfangled "synthetoids".......
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Old Mar 30, 2008 | 07:58 AM
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Originally Posted by alz0rz
nycgps I'm in Nyc with you, figure 5w30 will hold up fine?

al
Totally fine.

Read my Signature down there for what I use/have

Im planning to switch to 10w40 in summer, 5w40 in winter months.

but not until my stock of 0w30 runs out
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 01:13 AM
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I've used 5w30 from the beginning with my 2004. At first it was because of the serious fuel dilution due to the original tune being over-rich. PCM revisions fixed that, but I stuck with 5w30, since it was the specification for the car in most markets outside of North America.
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 01:51 PM
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what is the recommendation for track days? 10w40?
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Old May 21, 2008 | 08:13 PM
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i just used 5w30 RP and it seemed my engine was craving it. i'ma now on the w30 bandwagon
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Old May 21, 2008 | 08:26 PM
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Canola Oil Ftw !!!!!
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Old May 21, 2008 | 08:34 PM
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nycgps you got me thinking after reading your links.....so much so that friday im moving to 10w-30 so i dont have to worry about my hoopty and im good for the mazda corral at limerock on saturday!
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Old May 21, 2008 | 08:53 PM
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I use 20-50 only.
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Old May 21, 2008 | 09:20 PM
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Originally Posted by chrism
nycgps you got me thinking after reading your links.....so much so that friday im moving to 10w-30 so i dont have to worry about my hoopty and im good for the mazda corral at limerock on saturday!
hoho ~~~ Im moving to 5w40 or 10w40 as soon as this week.(yes I jsut changed my oil 0w30 again 2 weeks ago, but I worry too much now so ... by going w40 I can stop the worrying for a while )

I guess I see you all at Limerock this saturday (trust me this time Im gonna clean my engine bay lol)
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Old May 21, 2008 | 09:22 PM
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did you buy the plate?
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Old May 21, 2008 | 09:28 PM
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I'm a dino oil peon at that ...
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Old May 21, 2008 | 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by chrism
did you buy the plate?
oh yea, forgot. lol !

I just got myself the front & rear Autoexe adjustable end link.

I cleared my PM box yesterday, can u send me the link again ?
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Old May 22, 2008 | 01:05 PM
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How about for SoCal? It's getting to be quite hot here since summer is coming up. I'm using 5w20 for now, but 5w30 will be better for the engine?
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Old May 22, 2008 | 01:46 PM
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Heavier oil will protect more because it retain more heat and build a heavier film in the chamber, so yes. In a piston engine if you go too heavy you get sludge, but I don't know about the 8. Either way 5w-30 isn't that heavy.
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