I'm tired of hearing 5w30 is better than 10w30

[TallPaul]

It's been argued on this site that you get better base stocks with 5w30 than with 10w30 and that 10w30 is outdated. If 5w30 really is better, they why am I consistently seeing better NOACK volitility for 10w30 over 5w30 in every case I have looked up (data from company product info sheets)?


NOACK Volitility: 5w30, 10w30

Synpower: 13, 9.3
Durablend: 13.5, 10
Maxlife Synthetic: 10, 8.7
Pennzoil Platinum: 12.6, 9.7
QS Peak Performance: 14.9, 13.3

I know NOACK is not everything, but if 5w30 really is better, why the big difference in this one parameter?

 

[Merkava_4]

Quote:

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I'm tired of hearing 5w30 is better than 10w30

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LOL!!! . . .

 

[cmhj]

All depends on the application/environment/driving conditions etc.

 

[JAG]

5w30 generally uses thinner and more volatile basestocks and more polymeric viscosity index improvers (too bump the viscosity up).
10W-30 is not outdated. Straight weight 30 is outdated.

 

[Ramblin Fever]

Same here, in regards to using a 5w30, my very little oil-using vehicle will use up 1/4-1/2 qt of a 5w30 in 3k miles, whereas with a 10w30 of the same oil, it'll barely use 1/8qt in 3k miles with the same type of driving.

Nothing big I know, but it's still noticeable.

 

[D189379]

5W30 is better than 10W30.

 

[Merkava_4]

With people that say their car consumes oil, I wonder if the motor consumes more oil when it's cold or when it's hot.

 

[addyguy]

I agree entirely. In warmish spring/summer weather, there is no reason to use 5w30 over 10w30. 10w30 is cold-start rated down to -25C, and you are not going to even come close to that in this season, so the 'cold start protection' offered by 5w30 is a completely moot point.

Also, with the lower volatility, you will probably see less consumption with 10w30. Not a guarantee, but more likely. I know I have - like Ramblin, not a lot, but noticeable.

Please, please lets NOT vilify 10w30 the same way 10W-40 has been vilified.....

 

[Blue99]

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" and give Dr Haas credit for developing the "I'm Tired of ......." posting format. It is bound to become very popular!

Seriously, TallPaul, if you are to be a sucessful apologist for 10w30, you must counter the following arguements:

1. 5w30 is thinner for better start-up protection.
2. 5w30 is "better built". (assume this applies to both additives & base oils).
3. 10w30 is not spec'd for new model year cars.

And, of course, my personal favorite:

4. The fact that 10w30 sales volumes are higher than either 5W-20 or 5w30 can only be explained by the users as being uneducated & the typical "Joe Do-it-Yourself Oil-Changer" is a podunk & his brain functions have become inhibited from sitting on his snuff can!

 

[ThirdeYe]

With my old car I used 10W30 in the summer and 5W30 in the winter. With my new (to me) car, i'm going to be running 5W30 all season. It's easier for me just to stock up all in one grade, and not have to worry about different grades for seasons.

 

[Papa Bear]

10W-30 isn't outdated ... but vehicles specing it probably are.

 

[addyguy]

Blue99:

1. It doesn't matter in spring summer. You are not going to even come close to cold limit of a 10w30, so start-up protection will be the same;

2. Not for hot weather - with less VI, and a lower NOAK value, 10w30 is 'better built' for hot weather, even if you don't see a reduction consumption, there is simply less VII in your engine;

3. No, but once a car is out of warranty, you can often get 10w30 cheaper than 5w30, so it is worth considering;

4. We are not unseducated in oil here, and a lot of people on this forum still use 10w30...so tell them your last statement and see what they say!

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Since alot of engines get much of their wear during winter startup, it makes more sense that I purchase 5w30 for overnight temps here in Michigan.

We're getting more "I'm Tired" threads here. I was about to type another sentence here - but I can't stop covering my mouth while yawning.

 

[obbop]

Coot will never tire of threads where convoluted drawn-out inane minf-baffling anti-social hard-to-comprehend logical-to-but-a-few responses can be concocted for no particular reason whatsoever.

 

[blackdiamond]

Quote:

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1. 5w30 is thinner for better start-up protection.
2. 5w30 is "better built". (assume this applies to both additives & base oils).
3. 10w30 is not spec'd for new model year cars.
4. The fact that 10w30 sales volumes are higher than either 5W-20 or 5w30...

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(1) Is 5w30 enough thinner at normal winter temperatures than 10w30 to significantly reduce wear? Certainly there are parts of the country where temperatures are extreme on the cold end, but for the majority I'd bet the difference would be difficult to document.
(2) I think it would be up to you to prove this theory. It is my understanding that a 10w30 oil is more resistent to shear than a 5w30 is.
(3) Doing something because it's in the warranty doesn't make it better, it simple means that we are meeting the manufactures requirements. Cars are now specifying 5w-20 and the highly respected Amsoil has a statement that it is based on increase fuel mileage. They are doing what's in their best interest.
(4) The world is full of idiots, take me for example...

 

[Cutehumor]

But I'm tired of seeing less than 5k miles UOA's with full synthetic.

 

[Seth]

I am tired of hearing that you cant put 5w30 in cars specd for 5w20.

Is anyone tired of hearing that you cant put 10w30 in cars specd for 5w30?

 

[lostwrench]

Straight weight 30 is not outdated. All my lawn mowers require it.

 

[r961161]

Quote:

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10W-30 isn't outdated ... but vehicles specing it probably are.

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10W30 is the recommended/preferred Oil grade for my 2006 Chrysler 300 3.5L for temperatures up to 0F(-18C). Below that temperature, 5W30 is recommended but, quote from the manual, "only to improve cold weather starting."

 

[SargeGTO]

I run 10-30 year round in the Dodge R/T/Vette and have it in the GTO right now.10-30 is good.