Wrong oil. Will it ruin it? 10W-40 in a car calling for 5W-30

[CZroe]

My sister has a 1996 Ford Taurus with that appears to be leaking oil, though it only has 85,000 miles on it. She bought two quarts of Penzoil-brand at Wal-Mart yesterday but someone had a 10W-40 quart behind the 5W-30. Anyway, the 10W-40 went in the engine. Oops! A quick search on my phone showed people using all kinds of weights and temp tolerances in their more expensive cars, so we figured it'd be good enough to drive home.

We plan to get an oil change ASAP, but is it a bad idea to drive it in the mean time?

 

[Vette73]

No one quart will not do any "damage". Heck you can run all 10w40 if you like. You migth lose a little gas milage but that is all.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
No one quart will not do any "damage". Heck you can run all 10w40 if you like. You migth lose a little gas milage but that is all.

Thanks. I did seem to notice that. It felt a little... "sticky" and the gas light was on before we got it home.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
No one quart will not do any "damage". Heck you can run all 10w40 if you like. You migth lose a little gas milage but that is all.

Thanks. I did seem to notice that. It felt a little... "sticky" and the gas light was on before we got it home.

There is no way you would have felt the difference between 10w40 and 5w30.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
No one quart will not do any "damage". Heck you can run all 10w40 if you like. You migth lose a little gas milage but that is all.

Thanks. I did seem to notice that. It felt a little... "sticky" and the gas light was on before we got it home.

There is no way you would have felt the difference between 10w40 and 5w30.

I was going up mountains with 65MPH speed limit and stayed under 50 because it felt "gummed up." In a short distance I went from having over a quarter of a tank to having, well, fumes. FWIW, the oil level was still very low.

 

[DVad3r]

Why not just buy proper oil/filter while your there, and change the oil in the parking lot like a pro?

 

[slag]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
No one quart will not do any "damage". Heck you can run all 10w40 if you like. You migth lose a little gas milage but that is all.

Thanks. I did seem to notice that. It felt a little... "sticky" and the gas light was on before we got it home.

There is no way you would have felt the difference between 10w40 and 5w30.

x2

 

[tfinch2]

When changing the oil in my fiancees car last time, I mistaken bought (then opened) 10w-40 instead of 5w-30 for her Saturn. No problems. Probably better since it's been 100+ degrees for the last month.

 

[cprince]

Originally posted by: CZroe
I was going up mountains with 65MPH speed limit and stayed under 50 because it felt "gummed up." In a short distance I went from having over a quarter of a tank to having, well, fumes. FWIW, the oil level was still very low.

Something is seriously wrong with the engine if it felt "gummed up." Maybe it doesn't have enough oil. I definitely agree with the other posts that there is no way that you can tell between 10w40 and 5w30. The engine might be on its way out because of lack of oil.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
No one quart will not do any "damage". Heck you can run all 10w40 if you like. You migth lose a little gas milage but that is all.

Thanks. I did seem to notice that. It felt a little... "sticky" and the gas light was on before we got it home.

There is no way you would have felt the difference between 10w40 and 5w30.

I was going up mountains with 65MPH speed limit and stayed under 50 because it felt "gummed up." In a short distance I went from having over a quarter of a tank to having, well, fumes. FWIW, the oil level was still very low.

You have maybe done some damage since the oil level with +2 quarts is still really low. The oil cools and lubricates the engine.

From the other thread the difference between a 100% 0W30 and 100% 0W40 oil is about 2% fuel economy, which you won't notice on a short run (about 0.5 mpg on a 25 mpg combined cycle). The loss of power would be in the same low single digit percentages...

and your 10W40 was diluted with 5W30 too...

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: CZroe


I was going up mountains with 65MPH speed limit and stayed under 50 because it felt "gummed up." In a short distance I went from having over a quarter of a tank to having, well, fumes. FWIW, the oil level was still very low.

Reverse placebo effect.

 

[LTC8K6]

BTW, Ford issued a TSB a long time ago switching the recommended oil in your Taurus to 5W-20.

http://www.ints.com/support/do.../Ford5W-20motoroil.pdf

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Why not just buy proper oil/filter while your there, and change the oil in the parking lot like a pro?

Where would I dispose of it? I'd also have to buy a pan, receptacle, wrench, possibly a torque wrench, etc. Considering that she can get it done for $16.99 including 5qts synth. blend, fluid top-off, tire pressure check, etc, it's a better deal, though they don't include the disposal fee in that price.

Originally posted by: cprince

Originally posted by: CZroe
I was going up mountains with 65MPH speed limit and stayed under 50 because it felt "gummed up." In a short distance I went from having over a quarter of a tank to having, well, fumes. FWIW, the oil level was still very low.

Something is seriously wrong with the engine if it felt "gummed up." Maybe it doesn't have enough oil. I definitely agree with the other posts that there is no way that you can tell between 10w40 and 5w30. The engine might be on its way out because of lack of oil.

Well, it didn't feel like that when we drove it down to Wal-Mart. There was oil on the stick but it was all over the side extending well above "full," but not really readable. The more I wiped it, the more dry it got with successive reads, so I'm sure that was just scraping the walls during insertion and not really showing an oil level.

Originally posted by: PlasmaBomb

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
No one quart will not do any "damage". Heck you can run all 10w40 if you like. You migth lose a little gas milage but that is all.

Thanks. I did seem to notice that. It felt a little... "sticky" and the gas light was on before we got it home.

There is no way you would have felt the difference between 10w40 and 5w30.

I was going up mountains with 65MPH speed limit and stayed under 50 because it felt "gummed up." In a short distance I went from having over a quarter of a tank to having, well, fumes. FWIW, the oil level was still very low.

You have maybe done some damage since the oil level with +2 quarts is still really low. The oil cools and lubricates the engine.

From the other thread the difference between a 100% 0W30 and 100% 0W40 oil is about 2% fuel economy, which you won't notice on a short run (about 0.5 mpg on a 25 mpg combined cycle). The loss of power would be in the same low single digit percentages...

and your 10W40 was diluted with 5W30 too...

She BOUGHT two quarts. We didn't ADD two quarts. In addition to this, there was regular Valvolene at the last oil change, a quart of GTX Full Synthetic added when we had to add some last time (all we had available), and the quart of 10W-40 Penzoil. It may have been the effect of combining three kinds of oil brands/types. You aren't really supposed to mix your own "synthetic blends," especially across brands, so that may have a bit to do with it!

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
BTW, Ford issued a TSB a long time ago switching the recommended oil in your Taurus to 5W-20.

http://www.ints.com/support/do.../Ford5W-20motoroil.pdf

Thanks. She's getting the oil changed today and I'll pass that on.

 

[CZroe]

Anyway, my sister and I took it out last night to take my niece to work. When stopped in the parking lot with the engine running, though still in Drive, it sounded like it was skipping/slipping/missing every few seconds or so, but this went away at-speed. After dropping her off at work, it was doing it there too but continued doing it while accelerating. Crap. I hope this isn't related to the three kinds of mixed oil or, rather, I hope it is and can be fixed with an oil change.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: CZroe
Anyway, my sister and I took it out last night to take my niece to work. When stopped in the parking lot with the engine running, though still in Drive, it sounded like it was skipping/slipping/missing every few seconds or so, but this went away at-speed. After dropping her off at work, it was doing it there too but continued doing it while accelerating. Crap. I hope this isn't related to the tree kinds of mixed oil or, rather, I hope it is and can be fixed with an oil change.

That is not a oil issue (unless is is really low or really over filled).

Engine light on?

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: CZroe
Anyway, my sister and I took it out last night to take my niece to work. When stopped in the parking lot with the engine running, though still in Drive, it sounded like it was skipping/slipping/missing every few seconds or so, but this went away at-speed. After dropping her off at work, it was doing it there too but continued doing it while accelerating. Crap. I hope this isn't related to the tree kinds of mixed oil or, rather, I hope it is and can be fixed with an oil change.

That is not a oil issue (unless is is really low or really over filled).

Engine light on?

Nope. Never saw the oil light either. Damn.

 

[LTC8K6]

The oil would not make the car miss or feel sluggish. Not even 20W50 would make it feel sluggish. You can forget about the grade of oil or mixing oils causing any problems.

 

[CZroe]

OK, so I have my choice:
a place offering 5W-20 Havoline with tire pressure check/inflate, chassis lube, wiper inspect, check/fill service on all fluids except brake fluid (check only), etc
or
a place offering synthetic blend 5W-30 chassis lube, and a bunch of fluid "checks" (doesn't mention check/fill).

The 5W-20 provides better fuel economy according to the TSB linked above, but do the benefits of the cheaper synthetic blend out-weigh it?

Another place is offering full synthetic 5W-30 + fluids for $19.95.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: PlasmaBomb

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
No one quart will not do any "damage". Heck you can run all 10w40 if you like. You migth lose a little gas milage but that is all.

Thanks. I did seem to notice that. It felt a little... "sticky" and the gas light was on before we got it home.

There is no way you would have felt the difference between 10w40 and 5w30.

I was going up mountains with 65MPH speed limit and stayed under 50 because it felt "gummed up." In a short distance I went from having over a quarter of a tank to having, well, fumes. FWIW, the oil level was still very low.

You have maybe done some damage since the oil level with +2 quarts is still really low. The oil cools and lubricates the engine.

From the other thread the difference between a 100% 0W30 and 100% 0W40 oil is about 2% fuel economy, which you won't notice on a short run (about 0.5 mpg on a 25 mpg combined cycle). The loss of power would be in the same low single digit percentages...

and your 10W40 was diluted with 5W30 too...

She BOUGHT two quarts. We didn't ADD two quarts. In addition to this, there was regular Valvolene at the last oil change, a quart of GTX Full Synthetic added when we had to add some last time (all we had available), and the quart of 10W-40 Penzoil. It may have been the effect of combining three kinds of oil brands/types. You aren't really supposed to mix your own "synthetic blends," especially across brands, so that may have a bit to do with it!

You said you bought a quart of 5W30 and 10W40 and accidentally added the 10W40, it was reasonable to think you added the other quart if it was "really" low.

Originally posted by: CZroe
Anyway, my sister and I took it out last night to take my niece to work. When stopped in the parking lot with the engine running, though still in Drive, it sounded like it was skipping/slipping/missing every few seconds or so, but this went away at-speed. After dropping her off at work, it was doing it there too but continued doing it while accelerating. Crap. I hope this isn't related to the three kinds of mixed oil or, rather, I hope it is and can be fixed with an oil change.

That could be related to too little oil.

Without the film of oil the there will be more wear, the pistons will slap and the clearance crank and bearing will increase, resulting in a noise "like a tractor". With no oil you may have as little as 2 miles before your engine seizes (depending on how you drive it).

Edit: quote fixed

Go for 5W-20 since that is what is recommended. Synthetic is probably overkill, and blends aren't much better than normal dino oil. The recommendation for blends is to buy regular and synth. and pour them in yourself, you will end up with a higher quantity of synthetic for the same price.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: PlasmaBomb

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: PlasmaBomb

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
No one quart will not do any "damage". Heck you can run all 10w40 if you like. You migth lose a little gas milage but that is all.

Thanks. I did seem to notice that. It felt a little... "sticky" and the gas light was on before we got it home.

There is no way you would have felt the difference between 10w40 and 5w30.

I was going up mountains with 65MPH speed limit and stayed under 50 because it felt "gummed up." In a short distance I went from having over a quarter of a tank to having, well, fumes. FWIW, the oil level was still very low.

You have maybe done some damage since the oil level with +2 quarts is still really low. The oil cools and lubricates the engine.

From the other thread the difference between a 100% 0W30 and 100% 0W40 oil is about 2% fuel economy, which you won't notice on a short run (about 0.5 mpg on a 25 mpg combined cycle). The loss of power would be in the same low single digit percentages...

and your 10W40 was diluted with 5W30 too...

She BOUGHT two quarts. We didn't ADD two quarts. In addition to this, there was regular Valvolene at the last oil change, a quart of GTX Full Synthetic added when we had to add some last time (all we had available), and the quart of 10W-40 Penzoil. It may have been the effect of combining three kinds of oil brands/types. You aren't really supposed to mix your own "synthetic blends," especially across brands, so that may have a bit to do with it!

You said you bought a quart of 5W30 and 10W40 and accidentally added the 10W40, it was reasonable to think you added the other quart if it was "really" low.

Originally posted by: CZroe
Anyway, my sister and I took it out last night to take my niece to work. When stopped in the parking lot with the engine running, though still in Drive, it sounded like it was skipping/slipping/missing every few seconds or so, but this went away at-speed. After dropping her off at work, it was doing it there too but continued doing it while accelerating. Crap. I hope this isn't related to the three kinds of mixed oil or, rather, I hope it is and can be fixed with an oil change.

That could be related to too little oil.

Without the film of oil the there will be more wear, the pistons will slap and the clearance crank and bearing will increase, resulting in a noise "like a tractor". With no oil you may have as little as 2 miles before your engine seizes (depending on how you drive it).

Edit: quote fixed

Go for 5W-20 since that is what is recommended. Synthetic is probably overkill, and blends aren't much better than normal dino oil. The recommendation for blends is to buy regular and synth. and pour them in yourself, you will end up with a higher quantity of synthetic for the same price.

Thanks! We grabbed the 5W-20 service and it still does that skipping/misfiring thing, only it's getting worse. I hope it just needs a tune up, plugs, or something.

 

[LTC8K6]

Misfire will normally trigger the check engine light. It will flash, I believe.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
Misfire will normally trigger the check engine light. It will flash, I believe.

Thanks. Probably not a misfire then. The engine shudders randomly... almost feels like it's shifting gears, going in and out, when you are stopped.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Post a video clip on youtube?

 

[sdifox]

When was the transmission flushed, if ever?

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: sdifox
When was the transmission flushed, if ever?

She just bought it about 6,000 miles ago, so we wouldn't know.

We had it looked over by a shop and they raised no concerns. I dunno if she had them flush the transmission fluid, but I doubt it. Knowing her, she wouldn't know what I was talking about if I asked. The two oil changes we've had both included checking/topping off trans fluid, but not flushing.

Originally posted by: PlasmaBomb
Post a video clip on youtube?

It'd be pretty hard to see/hear, but I thought of trying that and I will as soon as I have the ability.