As some of you might know, I just had an oil change done and had 10w30 Rotella put in. Over the last week and a half, my gas mileage has gone down almost 4-5 mpg per tank. I usually get around 34-35 mpg in my Escort and when I filled up yesterday, I was lucky to get about 30.5 mpg. I have a feeling that 10w30 may be too thick for the Escort for this time of year. When would be too early and not too early to possibly drain it and put it something thinner so I can regain some gas mileage back?
How early is too early?
- Thread starter zoomzoomlx
- Start date
- Status
You won't get nearly that big a change in mileage by switching between reasonable viscosities. Something else changed too.
could it be winter blend fuel?
My vote goes for winter blend of fuel as well.
Originally Posted By: Smokescreen
My vote goes for winter blend of fuel as well.
I think it's a combination of winter blend fuel, changed driving pattern and switching from t-shirts to flannel shirts.
Colder weather also cuts mileage.
My vote goes for winter blend of fuel as well.
I think it's a combination of winter blend fuel, changed driving pattern and switching from t-shirts to flannel shirts.
Colder weather also cuts mileage.
Go to an energy conserving lubricant. Rotella is a great oil with good detergency but it has an HTHS above 3.5 as well as a lack of friction modification package. OK for the power equipment and diesels, not OK for an automotive gasoline engine.
Lower temps are going to increase fuel consumption. Check tire pressures since they will drop with the ambient temps too.
Lower temps are going to increase fuel consumption. Check tire pressures since they will drop with the ambient temps too.
fresh oil is always harder to pump than oil with some time on it. as the viscosity drops the oil becomes easier to pump.
10w30 inside the escort is rather thick, especially in PA, stick with 5w30 or better yet 0w20 if you are looking for MPG.
10w30 inside the escort is rather thick, especially in PA, stick with 5w30 or better yet 0w20 if you are looking for MPG.
Even an "energy conserving" 10w30 will show an improvement. but you may be able to run 5w20 of 5w30.
It sounds like I put the wrong oil in then. I'll wait a couple thousand miles then drain it. I have some 5w-20 Durablend and Havoline in my stash that I can switch in down the road.
5w30 would be better for the winter but would not decrease mileage that much
Since the 30wt Rotella doesn't have energy conserving on the label in the back, am I running risk of losing gas mileage even during the summer in warmer temps?
yes you run the risk of losing potential mileage by using a non- energy conserving oil.
- Status
Similar threads
