XD3 0w40 ok for 3.1 and 3.4 GM engine?

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Blazer, I beleive what you say, but I am not sure to understand.

It is possible for a 5 w to be thinner than a 0 w at let say - 25.

Now at normal operating temperature, what makes the w 40 bad when compared to the w30 suggested ? You are teaching me something totally new, I never tought that the highest part of the grade ( EG w 40 ) number had any influence on the cold start or general performance in cold weather.Be patient with me, I jsut want to understand.
Thanks
 
The two number are as follows:

XXwYY

XX = Cold Flow value

The lower the value, the lower the temperature can go before the oil will not flow anymore. When comparing saw a 5w40 to a 0w40, you can ONLY COMPARE TO AN OIL MADE BY THE SAME MANUFACTURER AND THEIR RESPECTIVE LINE. For example, you can only compare Mobil1 synthetic 5w30 to the Mobil1 synthetic 0w30 when comparing their cold flow numbers.

YY = Oil Viscosity at 100c (normal engine operating temperature)

At 100c which is the hootest all engine normally run at, that is the thinnest the oil is going to get. So basically, if the oil is thicker when hot, you bet your bum it will be thicker when cold as well.

You get my drift.

The thing is Baveux, I live in Ontario at about the same temperature area you do and I would never subject my engine to anything over 30 weight in our conditions in the winter. In the summer you can, but in the winter at -30c, NO WAY.

Using a 40 weight and especially this THICKER 40 weight will only kill your fuel economy, lower oil flow at startup and hinder oil from getting to your top end fast like it requires.

With the XD3 0w30 I have in my 1995 4.3L engine, at -25c, if you heard how hard it was to start the engine you would not be even considering 0w40.

Also, using a thicker oil will have your oil filter in bypass longer and therefore not filtering the oil as well as a 0w30.

When you boil it down, do yourself and your engine a favor and use the proper weight required and just drop the first number to zero. Say it says to use 5w30, then you use 0w30.

I hope this has helped you and when temperatures get cold this winter (which they are forcasting), you will thank me.

Take this advice from a fellow Canadaian that lives in the same conditions as you, not someone from warmer climates.
 
Ok , last question and I will leave you alone

Why that grade ?? If the w40 is too thick in cold weather , then 0w portion of the grade is let say useless since you dont need it if you don't live in a very cold area ?? Dont be discouraged I am understanding more and more !!

BTW I am using this oil presently in my ATV. Has been recommended by the Esso tech . line for this application. However i never asked regarding my cars. Thanks once again, its really appreciated,and if you answer this last question I promise you that I will not vote for the Bloc !!!
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The fact is that the 0w40 XD3 is just too thick for colder climates if your engine is supposed to use a w30 weight.

You can use a 40 weight in the southern states, but in Canada, you cannot substitute a 40 weight in there for a 30 weight unless you are using it in the hot summer.

As for the Bloc, I know you are going to vote for them anyways.
smile.gif
 
I'll admit I didn't read each and every post in this thread, so if I missed one that got it right... But, there does seem to be some confusion over what the second viscosity figure in a multi-viscosity desgnation really means. At normal operating temperature, a 0W-40 does not thicken to 40 weight visosity. It merely doesn't thin out any more than a 40 weight motor oil at operating temperature. The key here is that all motor oils thin at normal operating temperature. (A straight 40 weight viscosity motor oil at operating temperature might well be "thinner" than a straight 0 weight viscosity motor oil at -10 degrees C.) A 0W-40 will flow plenty well at most winter temperatures (Canucks near the arctic circle may have some difficult days.). Just be aware that a 40 weight at operating temperature is nowhere nearly as viscous as it is at room temperature. As to which would be preferable - 0W-40 or 0w30 - unless there's an overriding reason for the higher viscosity, a 0w30 would probably hold its viscosity when warm better as it ages. The 0W-40, even a full synthetic blended with Group IV and Group V base stocks, would necessarily have to rely to a greater degree on VIIs than a 0W-30. Again, if I missed the post(s) that clarified these issues, sorry...
 
Thanks Ray for this clarification.My neighbour's brand new Chrysler Cross fire specifies 0W-40 Mobil 1 from the factory (it says it right on the filler cap)so I'm confident my Jeep "tractor motors" can handle this oil weight if the German techs think the 0w-40 is optimal for that high engine.I use the 40w because it runs better in my Jeep vehicles all season...quieter,smoother starts fantastic.Other people will have to try different oils to get whats best for them.Even if the 40w thins out to a thick 30w over time good!I change it out every 8-9000 km. anyways so I'm not worried about oil breakdown.I just like the 40w due to it quieting down my Jeep motors at hot idle and giving a bit more viscosity at hot summertime idle.
 
Ray, thanks great explanation, I was thinking backward
banghead.gif
, and so for so many years that I am not very proud of myself.
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Ray H,

you have to take a look at the specs on the XD3 0w40 we are talking about.

Different 0w40 manufacturers have different properties and you can't use a blanke statement that is correct for all oils.

Mobil1 0w40 is thinner than Esso XD3 0w40 and yet they are still 0w40 oils.

The thing is that the XD3 0w40 is a THICK 0w40 when compared to other oils.

Mobil1 0w40

cSt @ 40º C: 80
cSt @ 100º C: 14.3

Esso XD3 0w40

cSt @ 40º C: 94.5
cSt @ 100º C: 15.7

Esso XD3 0w30

cSt @ 40º C: 71
cSt @ 100º C: 12.1

As you can see, even the the Mobil1 0w40 is thinner than the XD3 version.

But honestly, we shouldn't be even considering a 0w40 for this cold application seeing that oil is still too thick for Baveux's vehicles in his climate.

The XD3 0w30 is even a thick 30 weight at operating temperature and will suplly perfect protection all year round for his engines.
 
Well....looks like its never black or white regarding engine oil...I have spent the day reading post after post, and I haven't found one topic where everybody agree on something...
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I wrote an email today to Imperial oil on the subject discussed here today , I am curious to see what they are going to say about it .
 
The 0W-40 XD-3 won't harm anything in a 3.1/3.4, but startup might be more difficult, and fuel economy will suffer somewhat. The 0w30 XD-3 is already good for 25k+ mile drains in those engines, so going with the thicker stuff won't help you any.

As far as Le Bloc Quebecois is concerned, I wish they would run candidates here in the west, I'd gladly vote for 'em
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.
 
Blazer !!! geezz don't take it personnaly ... !

Beleive me , I trust you and what you said , but I want to know what the horse's mouth have to say, just by curiosity .

Pitzel, your bad !! ;-)
 
Thanks for the link greaser

BlazerLT... Hum.......Esso agree with you , well not totally, and they don't see a real problem running the 0 w 40 in my quad and cars and they still recommend it, however they also said that the 0 w 30 is a great choice too..... political answer , thanks however !!!
 
Yea, 0w30 will be completely sufficient and will guarantee you better fuel economy and faster startup lubrication.

Besides, it is cheaper than the 0w40 because you can get it at the Esso distribution center for CDN$4/liter.
 
BlazerLT
Enjoyed your posts, and I would have to agree that XD-3 0W30 is the best synthetic bargain in Canada. But it sure wouldn't be my first choice as a winter use oil. As you say it is a heavy 30wt oil. M1 5W30 is considerably lighter and more commonly available. Even M1 0W40 would be a better choice (price aside) being lighter at sub 0deg'C temps' than XD-3 0W30.
The best choice in a 30wt would be M1 0W30 which has a cSt of only 1995 @-20C.
 
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