Winter Oil for Jeep XJ 4.0?

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SwampSurvivor

SwampSurvivor

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Right now I'm running a mix of Rotella T6 5w-40 and SuperTech 5w-20. I use HDEO 40 grade in the summer because I am pretty hard on the jeep (4 wheeling / towing / hauling) and I've sheared 5w-30 out of grade a few times!

I have a HD fan clutch, new cooling system, and with winter approaching, I don't plan on getting the Jeep much above operating temperature, or pushing it hard. And if I tow, it's not going to be in OD - that with the cold temps outside will keep me from heating the coolant and oil up.

I really don't want to run a 40 grade in the winter; especially since I'll only be driving it to work and back once or twice a week.

Don't want to spend the money on a 0w-30 synthetic.

So - what would be the thinnest synthetic 5w-30 and dino 5w-30 for non-HDEO purposes?

Price does play a role in the decision making process!

Thanks!
 
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PP is one of the lightest 5w-30 full syns I've seen. Has a very high viscosity index of 177, hths of 3.0, and a good MRV number.

http://www.epc.shell.com/Docs/GPCDOC_X_cbe_24855_key_140007054941_201202271154.pdf


However, M1 AFE 0w-30 is only 1.50 more per 5qts at walmart.

Originally Posted By: dave1251
QS Defy 5W30 I recommend that.

This also a good suggestions as it is a syn blend and has higher zinc, which the 4.0L in the jeeps love.
 
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Originally Posted By: Miller88
Right now I'm running a mix of Rotella T6 5w-40 and SuperTech 5w-20. I use HDEO 40 grade in the summer because I am pretty hard on the jeep (4 wheeling / towing / hauling) and I've sheared 5w-30 out of grade a few times!

I have a HD fan clutch, new cooling system, and with winter approaching, I don't plan on getting the Jeep much above operating temperature, or pushing it hard. And if I tow, it's not going to be in OD - that with the cold temps outside will keep me from heating the coolant and oil up.

I really don't want to run a 40 grade in the winter; especially since I'll only be driving it to work and back once or twice a week.

Don't want to spend the money on a 0w-30 synthetic.

So - what would be the thinnest synthetic 5w-30 and dino 5w-30 for non-HDEO purposes?

Price does play a role in the decision making process!

Thanks!



I'd run T6 5w40 year round, and stop blending in a 5w20. T6's cold-flow characteristics are as good or better than most any conventional 5w30, so its as good for your short-trip no full warmup operation than most 5w30s. On top of that, its high TBN will help deal with acid buildup due to combustion by-product dilution better than PCMOs. Its pretty cheap as synthetics go, and its *made* for long change intervals. What's not to like?

On top of that, its a lot less of a hassle then mixing oils anyway.
 
I'd suggest that there's nothing wrong with the 5w-40 on its own in the winter in your application. The suggestion for Defy 5w-30 is also a good one.

Think what people were using thirty years ago in the winter. Today's 5w-40s are head and shoulders above what was available then in "winter" grades.
 
The mixing was a mistake on my part. I'm used to my focus where a 5qt jug will work for an oil change. I forgot that the Rotella T6 is only a gallon and the Jeeps oil capacity is 6 quarts. That was what I had laying around haha.

Running a 40 grade in the winter wouldn't be too heavy?

The 5w would be fine for cold starts in the Rotella T6 , but I would think the 40 would be a bit on the thick side.
 
Originally Posted By: dave1251
QS Defy 5W30 I recommend that.


+1, seems to be working well in mine and is a synthetic blend.
 
Originally Posted By: Miller88
The mixing was a mistake on my part. I'm used to my focus where a 5qt jug will work for an oil change. I forgot that the Rotella T6 is only a gallon and the Jeeps oil capacity is 6 quarts. That was what I had laying around haha.

Running a 40 grade in the winter wouldn't be too heavy?

The 5w would be fine for cold starts in the Rotella T6 , but I would think the 40 would be a bit on the thick side.


Like most people,including myself unless I force myself not to, you're thinking of how it works a little backwards.

When cold, both a 5w30 and a 5w40 are comparably thick- the 5w30 might even be thicker because there's a range allowed in the specifications.

As the engine warms up, both oils start getting thinner as they get hot. However, the 5w30 starts thinning faster than the 5w40 (and again due to wiggle room and the fact that specs are measured only at I think 2 specific points, the 5w40 may actually be thinner at certain temps). But in general if you think about your case where you never really reach full operating temp, both oils will really be about the same actual thickness inside your engine most of the time. The fact that T6 is a synthetic with a WIDE viscosity spec means that it really changes thickness vs temperature LESS than a 5w30 or 5w20. A synthetic 0w40 is generally even more stable with temp.

So you can look at it "the other way around." Below normal operating temp, the 5w30 and 5w40 are about the same, but when you start abusing the jeep and pushing the temps up in the summer, the 5w40 hangs in there better than a 5w30.
 
Your engine calls for 10W-30. I would run Pennzoil Platinum 10W-30 in the winter. Your CNY winter climate is fine for it. An option in the summer is the thicker Rotella T5 in 10W-30.
 
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum


When cold, both a 5w30 and a 5w40 are comparably thick- the 5w30 might even be thicker because there's a range allowed in the specifications.



Not quite true, the 5w-40 is quite a bit thicker at 40C than a 5w-30, don't forget hes worried about ambient temps, 40C is 104F. The colder you get from that the thicker the viscosity is. If you look at some of the other 5w-30s, T6 is quite a bit thicker.

5w-40:
http://www-static.shell.com/static/can-en/downloads/shell_for_businesses/oils_lubricants/1-52.pdf

5w-30's

http://www.epc.shell.com/Docs/GPCDOC_X_cbe_24855_key_140007054941_201202271154.pdf

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil1_5W-30.aspx

http://www.epc.shell.com/Docs/GPCDOC_X_cbe_24855_key_140007079157_201203220840.pdf

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENINDMOMobil_Super.aspx

http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp_internet/castrol/castrol_usa/STAGING/local_assets/downloads/p,q/GTX_PDS_2012.pdf
 
Originally Posted By: Miller88
The mixing was a mistake on my part. I'm used to my focus where a 5qt jug will work for an oil change. I forgot that the Rotella T6 is only a gallon and the Jeeps oil capacity is 6 quarts. That was what I had laying around haha.

Running a 40 grade in the winter wouldn't be too heavy?

The 5w would be fine for cold starts in the Rotella T6 , but I would think the 40 would be a bit on the thick side.

I think you will be fine using straight T6 all year round. The 4.0 calls for thicker oil, not part of the thin oil crowd. Being a synthetic you should be ok. The engine will tell you if its unhappy (ticking at startup, etc). If that happens just switch to something thinner, no big deal.

Didn't bother my little oil burning Toyota 1.8L I4 Corolla in winter, shouldn't bother yours.
 
Miller88,
What is your OCI plan?
Do you "need" syns or just "want" them?

I realize you said 5w-30 sheared; that would indicate to me that you did a UOA. What did the wear metals tell you about using the PCMO? Just because a lube sheared (or thickened) a bit, does not mean it didn't protect well.

I suspect any decent quality PCMO would do a good job. But if you "must" have something different, then consider the T5 10w-30. It's cold-crank rating is the same as the T6, for a lot less cost. I last got some about a week ago at W/M and it was $12.99/gallon. Very good deal on a semi-syn HDEO.
 
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For winter I'd run a 5w30. I ran PYB 5w30 in mine last winter and was very happy with it in my 4.0. But if you're trying to maximize your winter OCI oil performance, plain old Valvoline white bottle has a higher VI and lower HTHS than most dino 5w30's, and it's very shear resistant too.

For synthetics, 5W30 Pennzoil Platinum or Quaker State UD would do you real well IMO.

If you're willing to spend the money, the T6 would be the bomb the rest of the year.
 
It's not like you are living above the Arctic circle. For $20.97 you can get a 5 quart jug of QS full synthetic 5w30 thta will give you all the qualities you desire.
 
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Right now I'm running a mix of Rotella T6 5w-40 and SuperTech 5w-20. I use HDEO 40 grade in the summer because I am pretty hard on the jeep (4 wheeling / towing / hauling) and I've sheared 5w-30 out of grade a few times!

I have a HD fan clutch, new cooling system, and with winter approaching, I don't plan on getting the Jeep much above operating temperature, or pushing it hard. And if I tow, it's not going to be in OD - that with the cold temps outside will keep me from heating the coolant and oil up.

I really don't want to run a 40 grade in the winter; especially since I'll only be driving it to work and back once or twice a week.

Don't want to spend the money on a 0w-30 synthetic.

So - what would be the thinnest synthetic 5w-30 and dino 5w-30 for non-HDEO purposes?

Price does play a role in the decision making process!

Thanks!



I'd run T6 5w40 year round, and stop blending in a 5w20. T6's cold-flow characteristics are as good or better than most any conventional 5w30, so its as good for your short-trip no full warmup operation than most 5w30s. On top of that, its high TBN will help deal with acid buildup due to combustion by-product dilution better than PCMOs. Its pretty cheap as synthetics go, and its *made* for long change intervals. What's not to like?

On top of that, its a lot less of a hassle then mixing oils anyway.



+1
 
Originally Posted By: volk06
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum


When cold, both a 5w30 and a 5w40 are comparably thick- the 5w30 might even be thicker because there's a range allowed in the specifications.



Not quite true, the 5w-40 is quite a bit thicker at 40C than a 5w-30, don't forget hes worried about ambient temps, 40C is 104F. The colder you get from that the thicker the viscosity is. If you look at some of the other 5w-30s, T6 is quite a bit thicker.

5w-40:
http://www-static.shell.com/static/can-en/downloads/shell_for_businesses/oils_lubricants/1-52.pdf

5w-30's

http://www.epc.shell.com/Docs/GPCDOC_X_cbe_24855_key_140007054941_201202271154.pdf

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil1_5W-30.aspx

http://www.epc.shell.com/Docs/GPCDOC_X_cbe_24855_key_140007079157_201203220840.pdf

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENINDMOMobil_Super.aspx

http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp_internet/castrol/castrol_usa/STAGING/local_assets/downloads/p,q/GTX_PDS_2012.pdf


Well.... its not necessarily true that the 5w40 viscosity vs. temp curve stays way above the 5w30 as you go below 40C. That was kinda my point- 40C is halfway to full operating temperature. As you go down from that, most 10w30s are going eventually to be thicker than a 5w40, and 5w30s will come close to the same thickness, and some specific brands may even become thicker than a synthetic 5w40. Of the links you posted, I only saw one viscosity measure (dynamic @ -30 = 6000) listed at COLD temps for any of the oils, and that was RT6. If you look at pour points, PP 5w30 is -42, RT6 is -40. Not a whole lotta difference by that measure, but its a completely different measure than viscosity.

I really wish the different oil companies would a) put the same, standardized set of specs on their spec sheets, and b) the oil industry as a whole would make that standardized list include one vis measure or the other at SEVERAL points between -30 and +150C, rather than picking one measure at 40 and 100, another at -30, and picking and choosing between them. Of course I think part of the reason that isn't done is to deliberately make it harder to do a direct comparison to the competition. I'm cynical that way
 
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Originally Posted By: volk06
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum


When cold, both a 5w30 and a 5w40 are comparably thick- the 5w30 might even be thicker because there's a range allowed in the specifications.



Not quite true, the 5w-40 is quite a bit thicker at 40C than a 5w-30, don't forget hes worried about ambient temps, 40C is 104F. The colder you get from that the thicker the viscosity is. If you look at some of the other 5w-30s, T6 is quite a bit thicker.

5w-40:
http://www-static.shell.com/static/can-en/downloads/shell_for_businesses/oils_lubricants/1-52.pdf

5w-30's

http://www.epc.shell.com/Docs/GPCDOC_X_cbe_24855_key_140007054941_201202271154.pdf

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil1_5W-30.aspx

http://www.epc.shell.com/Docs/GPCDOC_X_cbe_24855_key_140007079157_201203220840.pdf

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENINDMOMobil_Super.aspx

http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp_internet/castrol/castrol_usa/STAGING/local_assets/downloads/p,q/GTX_PDS_2012.pdf


Well.... its not necessarily true that the 5w40 viscosity vs. temp curve stays way above the 5w30 as you go below 40C. That was kinda my point- 40C is halfway to full operating temperature. As you go down from that, most 10w30s are going eventually to be thicker than a 5w40, and 5w30s will come close to the same thickness, and some specific brands may even become thicker than a synthetic 5w40. Of the links you posted, I only saw one viscosity measure (dynamic @ -30 = 6000) listed at COLD temps for any of the oils, and that was RT6. If you look at pour points, PP 5w30 is -42, RT6 is -40. Not a whole lotta difference by that measure, but its a completely different measure than viscosity.

I really wish the different oil companies would a) put the same, standardized set of specs on their spec sheets, and b) the oil industry as a whole would make that standardized list include one vis measure or the other at SEVERAL points between -30 and +150C, rather than picking one measure at 40 and 100, another at -30, and picking and choosing between them. Of course I think part of the reason that isn't done is to deliberately make it harder to do a direct comparison to the competition. I'm cynical that way


OK Rotella T6 is quite a bit thicker than even "conventional" 5W30 the closest "viscosity" both will be at operating temperatures.
 
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