GF5 dino performance vs synthetic in cold weather

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Hi guys,

I'm just curious about everyones thoughs on the new GF5 rated oil and its performance in the winter.

I try to keep the families oil buying costs to a minimum, and the deal on Castrol GTX and Formula shell at Costco in Canada is pretty nice.

The cold pour point of GTX is now -39 C, syntec is only 42 C.

I know theres more to cold weather performance that pour points, but would the syntec be that much of an advantage in the odd -25 degree morning we see in Canada? Its twice the price, and wouldnt give us twice the service life.

The cars are a 2000 Honda civic, and a 1999 Honda CRV, and we want these engines to last!

Thanks,

Ryan
 
Ryan,

I don't think you'll have any problems. I know I've been thinking this same thing. I've only done maybe 6 syn changes between my two cars so I don't think it has really helped them last this long. Lots of cars live long happy lives on conventional. Undoubtably the 0W30 in my cars now will out perform FS or GTX at extremes but I honestly don't think I will be depriving them by going back to conventional. Let's face it, my G6 has had a couple years of cold morning starts on VWB and a couple on GTX before that.

I will add though that it would be nice to see PDSs for FS and GTX with the correct information on them. MRV & CCV would be more relevant to your/our concerns. Castrol only publishes the max numbers and Shell seems to have coppied their FSSyn PDS for FS.
 
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Yeah, you're right. A lot of it is splitting hairs.

I wish I knew too, how good the new stuff is in regards to cold weather.

CCV would be nice to know too, you're right.
 
Pour point is not very representative of cold weather performance. I would not use that as a basis for selecting an oil in the winter.
 
I think I have most of the PDS for both SM & SN PYB, QSGB, VWB & PC. Unfortunately they are at home and the issue with GTX & FS remains. I'll take a look later and post what I have.
 
Thanks!

I think Ive found a balance. The place we bought Kendall years ago has their synthetic blend on for $3 a litre which isstill a steal. It'll be the cheapest alternative for the 5 oil changes a year our driveway sees.

Ryan
 
Code:


5W30 CCS MRV 40C 100C PP

Pennzoil SM 5800 15900 63.9 10.5 -39 DEC2009

Pennzoil SN 5800 15900 63.9 10.5 -39 NOV2010



PC Supreme SM 4710 10458 61.8 10.5 -42 SEP2009

PC Supreme SN 4760 16780 62.3 10.7 -45 OCT2010



Valvoline SM 5541 22179 63.0 10.78 -36 FEB2009

Valvoline SN 6100 25000 63.0 11.0 -42 DEC2010



QS Peak SM 6100 19100 63.8 10.5 -30 JUL2007

QSAD SN 6100 19100 63.8 10.5 -30 JUN2010
 
Pour Point doesn't show the real picture of cold cranking ability.

For example Amsoil ASL 5w30 has a Pour Point of -51'c while Kendall Fully Syn GT-1 5w30 at -45'c but when compare to CCS@-30'c, Amsoil CCS at 4911cP while Kendall CCS at 4900cP, Kendall will flow faster at -30'c when compare to Amsoil.

Amsoil ASL 5w30
Pour Point -51'c
CCS 4911cP at -30'c
Flash Point 228'c

Kendall GT-1 5w30
Pour Point -45'c
CCS 4900cP at -30'c
Flash Point 235'c
 
In our climate MRV and CCS are not that useful since we don't see temp's that cold.
An oil's viscosity index is the best predictor of cold start performance; the higher the better. For a given HTHS viscosity, the oil with the highest VI will be the lightest at temp's at least as low as -15C and likely lower. Of course the lower the HTHSV the better hence the advantage of 20wt oils.

Just so you know, the Honda Brand 0W-20 can be had for under 5 bucks/L on a case of 12 and it would provide vastly better lubrication in you Civic year round and for the winter in the CRV over a 5W-30 dino like GTX. The fuel economy advantage alone should more than erase the slightly higher oil cost.
 
Both those engines are well built and will outlast the body. While many of us BITOGers split hairs over the smallest differences, my dad had ran 15w40 rotella in his 2002 f250 with the 5.4 for over 250k miles. Never plugged in, and it started on many days last winter, many at -30 F and colder. this truck sees 3-5k oci and has had 1 trans change(not a flush, just a pan drop) and a rear diff change at 160k. still runs like brand new. he also has a 2001 f350 with a wrecker bed on back that just rolled 160k on nothing but 10w30 oreileys house brand at 4k intervals, and it runs great, and both those trucks are work trucks that spend 90% of there time with something hooked behind them.

If keeping cost down is your goal go with whatever dino is on sale. At the end of the day your oil choice wont be the reason the cars die as long as you change on time. Use a quality dino and sleep good
smile.gif
 
When you can get a synthetic for little more than a dino it clearly become false economy to run a dino.
The increased fuel economy alone will more than negate the price difference in the oil and that's without even mentioning the many other benefits of running a high VI syn oil.
 
You can, if you wish, use your own synthetic blend for winter use.

PYB and PP in a 50/50 mix.
PYB and PU in a 50/50 mix.
QSGB and QSUD in a 50/50 mix.
Castrol GTX and Castrol Edge in a 50/50 mix.
VWB and NAPA or Car Quest Full Synthetic in a 50/50 mix.

The blended mixes and brands are your choice. You'll get the best of both types of oils for a winter run at a lower price.
 
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