5W-50 synthetic?

[MGregoir]

I found Mobil 1 5W-50 and Castrol Syntec 5W-50 on clearance in a few different local stores. The Mobil 1 is SM and the Syntec is SJ.

In an engine that specified an SJ rated ILSAC GF-2 5w30, is there any harm to be done by running a 5W-50 and are there any benefits to be had considering:

- minimum ambient temperature of freezing
- maximum ambient temperature of 105 degrees F/40 Celsius
- engine coolant temperature rests around 205 degrees in most operating conditions
- vehicle operates close to GVWR limit
- engine has 115,000 miles

This isn't a question of is it the right oil or not, it's a question of would it perform adequately (first do no harm) and could there be any benefits? The obvious downside would probably be fuel economy, but could other performance gains in wear, ring seal, etc. be made.

 

[Quattro Pete]

What vehicle/engine are we talking about here?

BTW, I've never seen M1 5w-50 in the US. Where did you find it?

 

[Mr Nice]

I've seen it at Kmart in the old style Syntec bottles.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
I've seen it at Kmart in the old style Syntec bottles.

Yeah, I was asking about M1 5w-50 though.

 

[MGregoir]

This is in Canada, the 5W-50 is much easier to find than the 15W-50.

The PDS says it has a TBN of 11.8, HTHS of 4.3, pours at -51, and a cSt at 100 of 17.4.

It's a GM 60 degree V6 in a front drive application, so about as generic as it gets.

 

[ourfamo4]

Not really the same motor but I've been using the Syntec 5w-50 in my Passat for some time now. I found about 10 quarts on clearance around 2 years ago. I usually mix 4quarts 5w-50 with 2.5quarts of GC.

This engine calls for a 5w40 weight.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: MGregoir
This is in Canada, the 5W-50 is much easier to find than the 15W-50.

The PDS says it has a TBN of 11.8, HTHS of 4.3, pours at -51, and a cSt at 100 of 17.4.

It's a GM 60 degree V6 in a front drive application, so about as generic as it gets.


You can get it in Toronto but not the 15w50, at least I've never seen it.

 

[bdcardinal]

Ford has a SM 5w50 for use in the GT Supercar and GT500. all dealers are supposed to stock it.

 

[Peted]

I wish they had 5w50's and 10w60s in the USA. [censored] marketing.

 

[astraelraen]

I saw about 10 quarts of M1 5w50 at Target on clearance yesterday. They still wanted ~4.50 a quart though.

 

[HTSS_TR]

If 5W50 is cheap enough like $2-3/qt, then I would buy it and mix with xW20 to use in engine spec'ed for xW30. I would not use straight xW50.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: peterdes
I wish they had 5w50's and 10w60s in the USA. [censored] marketing.


you can go into a BMW dealer and get Castrol 10w60.

 

[MGregoir]

Quaker State, Castrol, Valvoline, Pennzoil and ConocoPhillips all have 5W-50 oils. Mobil 1 5W-50 was/is only available through Porsche dealers in the US. Quaker State also sells Shell Helix Ultra 10W-60 rebottled as Quaker State Q Horsepower.

 

[Peted]

Oh thank you, I have never seen any of those in Any stores though.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: peterdes
I wish they had 5w50's and 10w60s in the USA. [censored] marketing.


I used 5w50 in my Santa Fe for about 1K miles and then drained it out and went back to 5w30. Made my engine cause excess vibrations, I think it was way too thick even for the summer.