Engine oil

GMB · December 15, 2023

Aldi do a good one, cheaper than Wilko ( RIP ). If it is sold out you can get Lard.

Malc1 · December 15, 2023

larde--da larde--da ..... semi or fully - sympathetic one asks

Malc

Newbie777 · December 15, 2023

7 hours ago, Bluemarlin said:

Much debate, but sadly not much in the way of data.

I'm happy to stick with annual servcing and 12months/10k changes, although I usually do less than 10k.

For the most part that seems to be the norm in UK and Europe, and 6 months/5k more common in the US. I'm not aware though that engines fail more over here than they do in the US, so it would be interesting to know if there was any data. In the absence of that then annual changes with a good quality synthetic is good for me.

Looking on forums cars seem to mostly die from things like rust, failed tranmissions, or other issues rather than engines failing due to oil change intervals, unless of course people abuse their cars and either leave it way to long or run on low oil..

Maybe it just me, but does the oil colour matter?

When a service is done the oil is clear yellow colour.

The next few days or a few weeks it's brown and after that it is black is that right?

Newbie777 · December 15, 2023

7 hours ago, GMB said:

It's interesting how 20-50 used to be the de facto standard best quality. Now it seems to be 0-30.

IMO In a watercooled engine the temperature range is not too critical except for cold starts where you need lower viscosity for easy turnover.

Also interesting how fussy BMW used to be on the proper M cars ( or maybe still are ) for oil during run in and oil changes. Won't bore you with it but BMW were deadly serious about the oil type and pre/post running in if it came to warranty claims.

Amazingly Harley Davidson specialists still recommend 20-50 but then again their engine design is about 100 years old.

I have never noticed much of a difference having used oils from 0-60 to 20-50 SAE. \I just stick to a quality brand.😎

I use Mobil 1, 0w40 in my other car 12.5 litres of it! Following manufacturers guidelines!

Newbie777 · December 15, 2023

7 hours ago, Bluemarlin said:

Much debate, but sadly not much in the way of data.

I'm happy to stick with annual servcing and 12months/10k changes, although I usually do less than 10k.

For the most part that seems to be the norm in UK and Europe, and 6 months/5k more common in the US. I'm not aware though that engines fail more over here than they do in the US, so it would be interesting to know if there was any data. In the absence of that then annual changes with a good quality synthetic is good for me.

Looking on forums cars seem to mostly die from things like rust, failed tranmissions, or other issues rather than engines failing due to oil change intervals, unless of course people abuse their cars and either leave it way to long or run on low oil..

I think the biggest damage to the engine is upon startup and many people still waiting for their engine to get warm via idle rather than driving straight away.

Spock66 · December 15, 2023

7 minutes ago, Newbie777 said:

The next few days or a few weeks it's brown and after that it is black is that right?

It will darken, but I would not expect black unless it's a diesel.

Have you changed it since your carbon cleaning, maybe that the carbon deposits have contaminated the oil?

Newbie777 · December 15, 2023

2 minutes ago, Spock66 said:

It will darken, but I would not expect black unless it's a diesel.

Have you changed it since your carbon cleaning, maybe that the carbon deposits have contaminated the oil?

Oh thanks for clarifying that,, my oil is brown,checked yesterday so no need to change, my wife car is a diesel and that is black.

Bluemarlin · December 16, 2023

14 hours ago, Newbie777 said:

I think the biggest damage to the engine is upon startup and many people still waiting for their engine to get warm via idle rather than driving straight away.

True. Less of an issue on Toyota/Lexus hybrids though, as the system is programmed to get the engine up to temperature faster, in part by recirculating exhaust gases.

Newbie777 · December 16, 2023

27 minutes ago, Bluemarlin said:

True. Less of an issue on Toyota/Lexus hybrids though, as the system is programmed to get the engine up to temperature faster, in part by recirculating exhaust gases.

Brilliant, thanks did not know that, that is why the car reaches optimal temp so quickly.

YvesD · December 16, 2023

On 12/7/2023 at 6:19 PM, J Henderson said:

But MPG will be better with 0w20 so it kinda evens itself out.

Definitely isnt.

Ran 0-20 and 5-30 in mine.

No difference the cars computer can detect.

Engine runs smoother and quieter on the heavier weight oil though. Much nicer

ColinBarber · December 16, 2023

14 minutes ago, YvesD said:

Definitely isnt.

Ran 0-20 and 5-30 in mine.

If one oil provides less resistance compared to another then the engine will be more efficient, all other things being equal. Possibly you don't see enough of a difference to measure it with lots of other external factors, or maybe there were also other differences in your two oils.

Toyota/Lexus continue to push this to get better economy and emissions figures - it would be far easier and cheaper to still go with 5W-30 if it didn't make a difference - most current models use 0W-16 with the very latest now using 0W-8. But the engine has to be designed for such low viscosity oil - always stick with the grades recommended in the owners manual.

14 minutes ago, YvesD said:

Engine runs smoother and quieter on the heavier weight oil though. Much nicer

Definitely quieter with thicker oil.

Newbie777 · December 22, 2023

Thanks, am happy with 5w30, it us the manual that quoted either, that's where the confusion lies and somebody told me 2010 models onwards Lexus recommends 0w20.

I am happy with my decision and the money I will save on the oil, I will get some fluffy dice.lol

Notamech · February 13

I feel like Toyota recommend 0w20 for hybrids for a reason. 5w30 may be great for a regular gas / diesel powered engine that are on most of the time. The hybrids keep shutting off the engine so on a single city drive you engine starts and stops several times and needs thinner faster flowing oil when it starts back up. Personally I would stick with 0w20.

Hybrids are a bit quirky with their fluid requirements. E.g you have to use a different non conductive compressor oil for the a/c. I think its best to stick with manufacturer's recommendations on oil grade.

Newbie777 · February 14

On 2/13/2024 at 1:40 PM, Notamech said:

I feel like Toyota recommend 0w20 for hybrids for a reason. 5w30 may be great for a regular gas / diesel powered engine that are on most of the time. The hybrids keep shutting off the engine so on a single city drive you engine starts and stops several times and needs thinner faster flowing oil when it starts back up. Personally I would stick with 0w20.

Hybrids are a bit quirky with their fluid requirements. E.g you have to use a different non conductive compressor oil for the a/c. I think its best to stick with manufacturer's recommendations on oil grade.

Very interesting as I changed to 5w30 and hear a tappeet noise which comes on and off. However could not determine which oil was used previously for the last 3 years, I thought it maybe 5w 30, but could be wrong!!

Malc1 · February 14

25 minutes ago, Newbie777 said:

Very interesting as I changed to 5w30 and hear a tappeet noise which comes on and off. However could not determine which oil was used previously for the last 3 years, I thought it maybe 5w 30, but could be wrong!!

Is the prior owner or his garage actually available to maybe ask ?
Malc