what oil to use?

[frankribera]

in a 135,000 mile engine, and in a Flroida climate, what oil do u suggest? im using 20/50.. is that too thick?

thnx

[don24mac]

20-50 is probably OK in your climate. But, I'd likely use a 10-40 there unless the engine is really worn. The 10-40 would lubricate faster when cold, and when warm would also give better gas mileage.

[Brian R.]

10w40

[Bossman]

10w-40 all year round.

[zeek1403]

OK, now for my question: I have a 1989 Camry with 204K miles on it. I have 10W-30 in it right now and it seems to crank kinda hard when it is cold. I right next to New England, NY and it gets cold here. What weight would anyone here reccomend and why? 10W-30, 5W-30?

[Brian R.]

5W30 is fine for that weather.

[mrtwo]

I was using the ordinary oil all the time. I am going to take a long trip. Is it a good idea to use synthetic oil? Is the filter different?

[zeek1403]

What year is your car and how many miles do you have on it? Does it currently have any oil burning problems? If it has any of these, I would not use straight synthetic. I would use Castrol Syntec Blend 10W-30. Although I am not a big fan of anything other than Mobil1, they do not make a synthetic belnd. Castrol is the next best thing.

[zeek1403]

No- the filter is not different. Keep on using the one you have been.

[mrtwo]

95 and 120K, no oil burning. Since the trip is about 2600 mile and I am wondering if the syn. oil will help or i can just stick with the regular oil?

[zeek1403]

Here's what I would do... given the year and and mileage, I would put in Mobil1. I prefer to change it every 7-10 thousand miles. When you go on your trip, you MUST check your oil at about 1,000 miles. HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO. Usually you can tell if it likes it or not (burning is hating). Then I would check it at 2,000 miles. That will verify that it won't burn. after that, check it every 2K miles. If the engine doesn't burn it, use it every oil change until it starts to burn. Then go to regular mobil oil. What brand and weight do you use? Also, what is the average climate there? This would help me tell you the best weight.

[mrtwo]

Thanks, man. I am using 10w30 right now and can't remember the brand, maybe V???line. I am going to Florida from Pennsylvania. Maybe i will just stick with the regular oil. What if it does not like the syn. oil? It will certainly be a trouble on the road.

[zeek1403]

Well, most lieky you would be fine. I personally would use the synthetic. All you have to do is check it after 1000 miles. That's not too hard. If the oil level is on full, you're probably ok. But I have been checking my oil on my VW Jetta every 1000 miles because I want to make sure it likes it. Check it every 1000 miles on your trip. If it does have a problem, just get some regular oil and keep putting that in until you can change it back to regular. But I doubt you will have a problem with it.... as long as you kept up with oil changes. I have had 3 higher mileage cars that didn't have a problem what-so-ever. I had a 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera and I started using Mobil1 5-30 in it at 174K miles. I just started using it in my grandmother's 1997 Subaru Outback at 175K miles. I also just started it on our 1996 VW Jetta at 124K miles. Hopefully I have been of help to you. I would reccomend 10-30 for summer and 5-30 for winter.

[mrtwo]

zeek,
Thanks alot for your input.

[Brian R.]

There is nothing easier on your engine and your oil than sustained highway driving. Any oil is fine for a trip.