I have a stupid question...

[TODD 2000 V6 CAMARO]

With winter coming and the sub -30 degree temperatures that always seem to accompany the season here, I was wondering if I should still use 10W-30 oil, or a different weight? For some reason, it seems like I remmber reading that 5W-30 flows better in cold weather, but I'm not sure. I am definitely going to go with synthetic or at least syn-blend on my next oil change, but I am curious about the weight. Anyone have any input for me?

[TraceZ]

With winter coming and the sub -30 degree temperatures that always seem to accompany the season here, I was wondering if I should still use 10W-30 oil, or a different weight? For some reason, it seems like I remmber reading that 5W-30 flows better in cold weather, but I'm not sure. I am definitely going to go with synthetic or at least syn-blend on my next oil change, but I am curious about the weight. Anyone have any input for me?

Ya.
Hey der now.
0w30 It get pretty cold up der in Canada, ya know.

[Squat13]

I would use a lighter oil weight, like a 5w-20, I live in Flordia so we dont have that problem. I always use 10w-30.

[TODD 2000 V6 CAMARO]

Ya.
Hey der now.
0w30 It get pretty cold up der in Canada, ya know.

Actually, Tracey, that sounds more like a Minnesotan accent...then again just about any northern accent sounds funny to us Texans. I get made fun of all the time here for my accent, but inside I am laughing at the way canadians talk. Eh?
And yeah, it gets FREAKIN cold here. I can't wait to see my Canadian wife go through her first full Texas summer though. Heheh 110 and 100% Humidity! LOL She's gonna melt.

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

I can't imagine Saskatchewan, but I lived in North Dakota and that place was so cold that we had to plug the truck in everywhere we went or it would freeze for the next few months. NoDak only had 3 seasons - June, July, and Winter. We called it the Oasis in the Artic and The Land of Horizontal Falling Snow. You could spit and hear it freeze and crack before it hit the ground. A lot of the time we had 3 minute exposure for unprotected skin. My job was to help guard 40,000 acres of nuclear missiles and, man was I ever happy to leave there after 2-1/2 years. What a DESOLATE place !

[TODD 2000 V6 CAMARO]

I can't imagine Saskatchewan, but I lived in North Dakota and that place was so cold that we had to plug the truck in everywhere we went or it would freeze for the next few months. NoDak only had 3 seasons - June, July, and Winter. We called it the Oasis in the Artic and The Land of Horizontal Falling Snow. You could spit and hear it freeze and crack before it hit the ground. A lot of the time we had 3 minute exposure for unprotected skin. My job was to help guard 40,000 acres of nuclear missiles and, man was I ever happy to leave there after 2-1/2 years. What a DESOLATE place !

Geez...now that is cold. I haven't had the whole spit freezing in the air thing, but I did spit on the ground once and watch it harden to ice before it spread out on the driveway. I was so giddy about the snow my first winter here, but now..three years later, I hate the stuff. I cannot wait to move back to Texas...I miss the hot summers and mild winters.

[Injuneer]

I would assume crankcase heaters are standard equipment on cars in an area that cold. If they aren't, get one. It will help.

The first number in the oil "weight" tells how it flows at low temperatures (0degF), the higher number tells how it flows at high temepratures (200degF). The Owner's Manual recommends 5W-30 for all applications, particularly when the temperature can reach 0degF or lower. If you are talking -30degF, the 0W-30 would make a lot of sense.

I wouldn't back down on the "30" part of the viscosity rating. Going to a "20" for example would provide significantly thinner oil when the engine finally reaches its normal operating temperature.

"Synthetics" are also a good idea for engines operating under extremes of high and low temperatures. The synthetic molecule, unlike "standard" oil, does not rely on long-chain, intertwined hydrocarbon molecules to achieve the wide-range, variable viscosity. These long-chain molecules can break down quickly, causing the oil to lose its multiple viscosity characteristics - not thin enough in cold temps, not thick enough at high temps. Synthetics are able to maintain their viscosity characteristics for a longer period of time, and do not rely on viscosity modifier "additives" to work. The synthetic molecule is designed from the start to give the required characteristics without additives.

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

Synthetics - very true. I have switched to those a long time ago and have dependable starting here in WI. for however cold it gets and good engine protection for hot summer days. It doesn't turn to grease like conventional oil does. Conventional multi-viscosity oils have a wax-like molecule chain that breaks down from heat and shearing forces after time like Fred stated. The only thing I have left that uses conventional oil is an old Harley that uses straight 50, and that will not start on a cold day. A lot of the new cars are using really thin oil to get that last bit of mileage and because they are made to really tight tolerances. I think they are good candidates for synthetic oil also.

[TODD 2000 V6 CAMARO]

Thanks for all the info Fred and Kevin! I now feel edjumacated on oil. I was never really sure what the numbers meant entirely. I think since the -30 temps are only for a week or two at a time usually, I will go with synthetic 5W-30. Oh, and yeah...after moving here from Dallas, I had to get a block heater installed...it helps alot although on the -30's days it is pretty sluggish. I am about to have to drive it to Calagary (5 hours away ) and park it at the airport for 2 weeks while my wife and I go to Dallas to see my family. I don't want to get back and not have it be able to start. Anyway, thanks for the tips!