15W40

[bonz]

Good-day to  all ;
Time of the year to winterize. Fall is fading and low temps are coming. Am presently using 15W40 engine oil in '94 VW Jetta CL (4sp/auto)with no problems. However with temperatures averaging between -5 - -20C over the winter would it be advisable to switch viscosities to say, maybe a 30 grade.
Living in Newfie/Out in the Atlantic
Bonz

[mark]

Yes, it is advisable to get something in there with a lower cold  number (ie. the number before the W).  Check the temperature guide in your manual, but I'd look for something with a 0Wxx or 5Wxx viscosity rating.
A synthetic will also flow better at cold start.  Most 0Wxx viscosities are synthetic.

Good luck.

[ericthejet]

No question synthetic is the way to go in this country.  You can buy 0w30 at most good shop but I don't know if it has made its way to the "rock".  Mobil1 is a good brand and is affordable.  You "can" also extend change intervals with a syn. but remember it still collects all the bad byproducts from the engine just the same as conventional oils.

Cheers

[articsteve]

For regular oil I would go to a 5W30.  A straight 30 weight oil is for 32F and above.

[tpl]

My 2c: What does the owners manual say for cold conditions?  For a 84 it probably says 10w-30 or 5w30. I suspect that any 5w-30 will give good results, a semi syn or full syn will flow better still ot low temps but also cost more.
An SL or SM rated 5w-30 will outpeform any 1984 spec oil that VW tested when that engine was designed.
To be really picky, look for an oil that meets the VW 50x specs

[dart]

Tpl, if an oil meets VW 50x specs would it be safe to use it for my 1990 Honda Accord? I have some synthetic oil (5W-40) leftover from my VW Passat and the way the oil companies market their products, I can't tell if I can run 5W-40 on my Accord. I normally use 5W-30 and of course they sell something specific for the Honda vehicles.

[brian]

A Honda from that era should not be worried about any kind of specification like that.  The specifications are just certain stringent criteria the manufacturer(s) want the oil to be able to perform above and beyond common specs like the API SL and SM ratings.  Almost anything you buy today, as long as it is an acceptable weight, should be better than what was available in 1990.

Synthetic oil in 5W40 should be fine, so go ahead and use it up.

[maritime_storm]

Ok Non-VW owners you're not helping this guy. Use 15W40 in your engine year round, as per VW Canada. Most newer and all pre-1996 VW's use this grade year round. VW engines are high flow low pressure{20PSI at 2000 RPM}. Go sysnthetic if you want but stick with 15W40, they recommend it for a reason.

[mark]

Actually, most newer VW's recommend 5W40 year round, which is only available in synthetic.  Pre-1996, I am not sure.  Granted, my father in law's old 1985 Jetta used heavier weight oil, but I'm assuming this 1994 unit is a 2.0, not the 1985 vintage 1.8.  If so, this is an old engine design, which has been marginally improved upon over the years.  This engine in new cars comes with 5W40 as factory fill.  
What would be the problem with going to 5W40 synthetic, beside the obvious cost?  It will flow faster on start up offering better lubrication when its cold.  Synthetics can have a wide viscosity range, and still remain stable.  

Quote "Check the temperature guide in your manual..."
I was trying to help.  I usually don't jump in on things I know absolutely nothing about.

PS Bonz - what have you been doing until now, or did you just get the car?


(Message edited by Mark on November 11, 2004)

[duck]

Read the owners manual  or phone a couple of VW dealers and ask them.



(Message edited by duck on November 15, 2004)

[bonz]

Thanks to you all for your kind response.Upon purchase of the vehicle in June, I immediately had an engine/transmission service performed. 10W30 engine oil/Dexron III ATF. I later experienced the low pressure issue as mentioned by Maritime storm and proceeded to contact a VW dealer and they recommended 15W 40 year round. The engine is a 1.8 litre block and I believe was either assembled or manufactured in Mexico for the Canadian market.  

Thanks again from the Rock
Bonz