Better to use 10w-30 than 5w-30 if it doesn't get that cold?

[StageLeft]

Maxima manual recommends 5w-30, but truth is it rarely gets significantly below the freezing point of water in Alabama, so what should I really use?

 

[boyRacer]

Hmmm... no experience here... but i'd stay with what the manual recommends... i don't know just how cold it gets over there...

 

[Kadarin]

The difference between 5w-30 and 10w-30 is that when the oil is cold, it will be thinner, less viscous, and will flow better. At high temperature, both oils should act identically. Intuitively, the 5w-30 should improve engine wear a bit due to better flow characteristics when the engine is first started up (dry).

 

[morkinva]

I don't understand your question. If it got REALLY cold there, you'd want to use a thinner oil than what the manual recommends, not a thicker one.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: morkinva
I don't understand your question. If it got REALLY cold there, you'd want to use a thinner oil than what the manual recommends, not a thicker one.

That's the point; it doesn't get cold.

If 5w-30 is better than 10w and costs the same, why do people ever use 10w? There must be an advantage to it if you don't need the coldness advantage of 5w...

 

[morkinva]

There's plenty of older cars for which 10w-30 is recommended.

Maybe if your engine had a lot of wear, then you'd select 10w instead, I dunno


edit>> Apparently the W means the oil meets specs for 0 degree visosity, so you'd be fine with the 5w

 

[Adul]

never mind, seems like that article clears it all up

 

[Iron Woode]

Its not like he's living in Canada where this would be a legit question.

Just use what you would normally use all year round.

 

[bleeb]

Just use what the manual recommend. =)

 

[pyonir]

which did you use?