Ramblin Fever

for the 3.2L Holden (as it's called over there) is 15w-50.

Isn't that weird having such a BIG difference in viscosity recommendations from the states to there?

I can see having a difference for sure, as their climate is much harsher, but I didn't think it was that much. Especially when your talking the hydraulic lifters - 15W, is still VERY thick.

Found something interesting, though I don't know who the reference book was published by - as the front and back covers were missing. But at Checkers, I found an oil reference book as to the viscosities recommended per vehicle.

In short order, the recommendations were kind of contradicting, as for the 91-92 3.1L, 93-97 3.2L's they recommended -

above 0, 10w-30 or 10w-40, but stated that for high speed long driving, 10w-30 was not recommended and 10w-40 preferred.

Then it stated for temps above 10 degrees, that 10w-40, 15w-40 were recommended.

For temps above 20 degrees, 10w-40, 15w-40 and 20w-50 were recommended, with 15w-40 recommended for high speed driving.

Then, to make things more complicated, it stated that 5w-30 was fine for all temps!

In round about ways, it listed the same viscosities for 98+ 3.2L's.

I got so confused in all that, I wanted to rip the book off the wall and throw it.

If our manual recommends 5w-30 for possible encounters with below 0 temps, and 10w-30 being prefered for temps above 0. (Though, I do get the impression that 10w-40 is ok to run as well, as my manual shows several different viscosities listed - though only 2 are verbally spoken of.) WHY are there so many other recommendations listed at different car part stores??

And all of this thicker oil recommendations are kind of out the window anyway, right? I mean with hydraulic lifters. Always thought they liked thinner oil - but is that keeping the bottom lubricated enough???

One thing I can say, is my truck did like the 5w-40 with the heat; though I am running 10w-30 Havoline synthetic right now in near 100 daily temps and it seems to be good.

For winter there's no reason not to run 5w-30 here in Colorado, though I will probably stick to 10w-30. See my truck isn't just a daily driver - that's the problem, she hauls the boat, camping gear, and when that's not the agenda, she's sometimes hauling 2-3k# of rocks over the I-70 corridor. Other times we go just for fun, and we go a lot.

I can't stop on a whim and change the oil out to a thicker weight at the drop of a phone call.

Guess I'm just complaining at all of this confusion, because although I know these thinner oils are keeping the hydraulics happy - mine have quieted to almost not existent ticking now, am I keeping that bottom end happy at 4500 RPM's??

Your thoughts are welcome - even if it's to tell me to shut up and quit whinning

__________________
1997 3.2L V6 Rodeo
32" Yoko's, 16x8 MB Wheels, 2" lift, Brushguard, KC Fog's, Loadwarrior Rack
On it's way to 185k strong

2004 3.4L Tacoma TRD off-road 4x4 Double cab
32" Yoko's, Westin Bull-bar, KC Fogs 60K miles

rodeo02

Ramblin- Yer killin' me I tell ya.. Spending WAAAAY too much time over at BITOG. Heheheee.. Dont stress on this. Any modern auto engine will run on just about anything from off the shelf, from 0w-20 oil to 20w-50 and keep right on chugging along. How do you know your engine "likes" a particular oil? Remember the only way to know for sure is by repeated used oil analysis for your specific application. I hope you are not getting that crazed about it! (kidding) Have fun!
G/luck
Joel

__________________
2008 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS AWD 2.7L
2008 Honda Odyssey LX chick magnet
Gone but not forgotten : 2007 Chevy Cobalt LS, 2001 Ford Windstar LX, 2005 Trailblazer LS 4x4, 2002 Isuzu Rodeo LS 4x4 & and many more.

Ramblin Fever

- that's me for sure!

I hear ya - you're right on for sure!

But you know, the only reason I got on this bandwagon was remember several months back I had asked as to why I was getting what looked like copper particles in the oil?

Small flaky particles that you couldn't even feel between your fingers, but there were lots of em.

Course I never knew that you could actually have your oil analysed til just this last 2 months - or else I would have. But no one had an answer as to what could cause it.

Well, after switching off from the Havoline dino 10w-30, I'm not getting those anymore.

So I have made progress, however insane I am now. And you know that darn board itself, is so contradicting. I do wish I had never heard of it though - just one more damn thing to have had worried about.

From now on, I've made the decision, I'll finish out this summer on the Havoline synthetic 10w-30 and run it permanently for the winters, but switch to a 5w-40 for summer use.

How do I know my engine likes a certain oil? Well, there is no 100% guarantee, but I can say this - it runs a lot smoother, idling and chuggin down the highway on the synthetic Havoline (is it a true synthetic? Probably not, but I don't care about that part), then it ever has on the Havoline dino and that's the only thing that's been changed.

Course it liked the Rotella too - so I'm not necessarily saying that it likes one oil over another, but maybe it likes a certain thickness or a higher HTS then a regular 5w/10w-30 dino can offer.

The fact of it is, maybe but 2 people from these Isuzu boards have ever ran a UOA on their oil - so we can't guarantee that these engines like any certain particular oil, thin or thick.

I believe each one of us has to try different viscosities out for ourselves for our regions and our driving styles to reach our own answers. In which, we ourselves have to be cautious as to what we recommend to newbies who ask, as we don't know.

And we also don't know if they plan to keep that vehicle for just a few years, say 3-5, in which I'm absolutely certain a 5w/10w-30 will do just fine; or for the long haul, in which they'll need to decide for themselves.

Then we've also got the other factors, in which I may be of the only one on this board - from what I gather - who uses this truck for heavy recreational use - in which, the 5w-30 that others recommend may be a wash for this use.

Who knows?? Nobody...that's my crazy point I'm trying to make.

All I know, is I can't afford to replace this vehicle for at least another 5 yrs, and the older this engine's getting the more I need to be cautious of what goes in it.

Kay, now that I've really made an idiot of myself - think I'll go take a nap.

I do apologize for any weirdness on my part of late - it's just money is damn tight anymore, between the cost of housing, gas, utility bills, groceries, you know the "grind", and it seems one wrong move anywhere lately and I'm biting the $$$ bullett!

Hell, I have another truck that the damn tires dry-rotted on, 4yrs and they're full of dry-rot - in COLORADO weather for crying out loud! Won't ever buy that brand again.

Thanks for reading - if you've made it through

__________________
1997 3.2L V6 Rodeo
32" Yoko's, 16x8 MB Wheels, 2" lift, Brushguard, KC Fog's, Loadwarrior Rack
On it's way to 185k strong

2004 3.4L Tacoma TRD off-road 4x4 Double cab
32" Yoko's, Westin Bull-bar, KC Fogs 60K miles