| Talking about Engine Oils |
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The three key elements in choosing an oil for street use are:
DIRT, BREAKDOWN, and ABRASION.
If you use a good petroleum based oil and quality filter ( I can
provide the "Filter Report" link if you like, mentioned by Mike V) and
change your oil every three thousand miles - then in all likelihood
you have addressed the DIRT issue.
IF you don't live in a really hot climate (like I do) then heat
BREAKDOWN shouldn't be an issue with petroleum based oils if you
change your oil at the magic three thousand miles.
HOWEVER, if you live in a really hot climate and drive in stop
and go traffic you MIGHT want to consider using a SYNTHETIC oil.
ABRASION - because of SYNTHETIC oil's molecular configuration it
has a higher shear strength than PETROLEUM based oils. As a result
of this characteristic, SYNTHETIC oils show better capabilities in
protecting an engine from metal to metal contact than PETROLEUM based
oils. As many of you are aware, due to it's slipperyness - it is
generally recommended NOT to use a SYNTHETIC oil during engine break
in. However, in properly maitained very high milage engines using
SYNTHETICS little or no wear is often found on the rubbing surfaces.
As for which type of multi grade to use - 5-25, 5-30, 10-30, 10-40,
or one of the many others, rember that the bigger the number
difference, the more viscosity index improvers were added to the
oil. Viscosity Index Improvers provide no "lubricative" properties
and can be as much as 1/3, in volume, of a quart of oil. A rule
of thumb is totry and keep the difference between the two numbers
at 25 or less if possible.
That's why SYNTHETICS dislpay a wider range - their greater inherent
"slipperyness" allows the to withstand a larger proportion of
Viscosity Index Improvers than PETROLEUM based oils.
So to sum this up, it's really the heat factor that should guide
you in whether to go SYNTHETIC or stay with a PETROLEUM based
brand. Once you make that decision you've got plenty of quality
brands to choose from on either side of the fence. Then you have
to pick a viscosity range. Personally I find a starting 5w multi-
grade oil a little scary (despite our manufecturers' recomendations)
unless I lived in Siberia. But that's purely my own hang up. As
metioned above, pick the range you're comfortable with, but try and
keep the range no larger than a 25 number difference if possible.
Mager Thom
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