10w60 oil in motor designed for 5w40

petrv · Mar 16, 2005

My engine is designed for oil 5w40 (recommended by manufacturer). What happens if I change the oil to 10w60? Will I get better protection or higher wear? So far, I have read many different opinions on this topic.

My friends tell me that if I want to track my car, I should change to thicker oil to better protect my engine and to withstand the heat. My answer is that it is better to keep the recomended grade 5w40 and get the oil with high HTHS. Is this right?

moribundman · Mar 16, 2005

Chances are you can't race your car so hard that the 5W-40 won't hold up. Pick a full synthetic 5W-40 with the highest HTSH that you can find, maybe Red Line? and stop worrying.

Palut · Mar 16, 2005

I bet Doug Hillary could do a great job of convincing you that 5W-40 would more than do the job!

petrv · Mar 16, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by moribundman:
Pick a full synthetic 5W-40 with the highest HTSH that you can find, maybe Red Line? and stop worrying.

I already did, but I need to know if my friends are right or not? Would my engine be happier with 10w60 oil? I don't care of gas millage, just wear/protection.

Sin City · Mar 16, 2005

quote:

Chances are you can't race your car so hard that the 5W-40 won't hold up.

I agree. If you are convinced that 5W-40 is too thin you might consider using a 5W-50 motor oil. Mobil, Castrol, and Valvoline all sell synthetic 5W-50 motor oils in Europe. Mobil 1 5W-50 PDF

petrv · Mar 16, 2005

I already bought Motul 300V 5w40: http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=010110;p=1#000000. Feel free to add any comments on that oil in this thread.

FowVay · Mar 16, 2005

Petrv, your viscosity decision should be based upon the oil temperatures that you are achieving. If you're recording sump temperatures that are unusually high such as being in the very high 200ºF -low 300ºF (approximately 138ºC-160ºC) then you could consider using the 10W-60 oil. If your sump temperatures are stable below 250ºF (120ºC) then the 5W-40 will be adequate. If your application does not involve numerous cold starts of a daily driver in a cold climate then you may want to consider a 10w/15w-40 for the increased stability (synthetic of course).

The temperatures that the oil operates at will determine the viscosity of the oil.

moribundman · Mar 16, 2005

petrv, tell us for what car and motor this oil is. What oil temperatures and oil pressure do you commonly see?

If your manual tells you to use 5W-40, I am sure you can use an xW-50 for racing the car, but I don't think you will benefit from it, -- unless you are talking about the most extreme conditions.

petrv · Mar 16, 2005

Thank you guys for your care

I have Acura Integra Type-R with 1.8 litre NA engine that revs 9,000rpm, 190hp power. As for oil temperatures and pressure, I really don't know.

In the USA, Honda recommends 5w30 or 10w30 oil and in Europe, they recommend 10w40 or 5w40 for the same engine. I was told to stay with the 5w40 for such high revving engine, but to choose the top one with the highest HTHS. So I hope it' ok to use the Motul 300V 5w40 with HTHS=4.5 on tracks.

MGBV8 · Mar 16, 2005

Your choice is used by Subaru in WRC.

With non ester oils it may be necessary to up grade or if fuel dilution is an issue.

Rev440 · Mar 16, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by petrv:
My engine is designed for oil 5w40 (recommended by manufacturer). What happens if I change the oil to 10w60? Will I get better protection or higher wear? So far, I have read many different opinions on this topic.

My friends tell me that if I want to track my car, I should change to thicker oil to better protect my engine and to withstand the heat. My answer is that it is better to keep the recomended grade 5w40 and get the oil with high HTHS. Is this right?

Not too sure if this link works anymore, it might be down temporarily...
AE Haas - Motor Oil 101
Check it periodically to see if the site is online again.

moribundman · Mar 16, 2005

quote:

I was told to stay with the 5w40 for such high revving engine, but to choose the top one with the highest HTHS. So I hope it' ok to use the Motul 300V 5w40 with HTHS=4.5 on tracks.

I would do the exact same thing.

AEHaas · Mar 16, 2005

Try reading this http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000427 then let us know what you decide.

aehaas

BlazerLT · Mar 16, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by petrv:
Thank you guys for your care

I have Acura Integra Type-R with 1.8 litre NA engine that revs 9,000rpm, 190hp power. As for oil temperatures and pressure, I really don't know.

In the USA, Honda recommends 5w30 or 10w30 oil and in Europe, they recommend 10w40 or 5w40 for the same engine. I was told to stay with the 5w40 for such high revving engine, but to choose the top one with the highest HTHS. So I hope it' ok to use the Motul 300V 5w40 with HTHS=4.5 on tracks.

Stick to the 5w40 and tell your friends to do some research.

teamDFL · Mar 16, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by moribundman:
Chances are you can't race your car so hard that the 5W-40 won't hold up. Pick a full synthetic 5W-40 with the highest HTSH that you can find, maybe Red Line? and stop worrying.

Anyone feel like putting together a comprehenzive list of HTHS for 5w-40's?

Dr. T · Mar 17, 2005

Petrv, I'm sure the recommendations are for normal street use only. That said, you can safely use either a 5-50, 15-50 or 10-60 if you feel you need added protection during racing. It certainly won't hurt. I've used everything in my BMW...from 5-30 to 10-60.

The number one viscosity recommendation is based on temperature. Secondly, on use (as described above) ie. daily driver vs. racing vs. towing vs. commercial use. The last three uses will generally require a step-up in viscosity that you will probably not find in your Honda manual.

10w60 oil in motor designed for 5w40

Similar threads