Changing Oil

[klvaleri]

Guys,

I am going to change my oil this weekend but running into what kind of oil weight should I do this time. I always used 5w30 in summer and 10w40 in winter. My SUV burning an excessive oil so I always keep an eyes on it like a hawk. My question to all of you is? Is it safe for me to switch to 15w40 weight in the winter and hope it would cure some excessive burning oil also. I live in Minnesota, I read some forums about this 15w40 some said good some said too thick for winter so please share your opinions with me. Thanks a lot.

[amigo-2k]

I use 5/30 year around and i'm in WI. I use Synthetic during the winter

[Ramblin Fever]

I would NOT use a 15w-40 in Minnesota winters in that truck - I run that in my diesel, but it has a block heater that we plug in 1-2hrs before going anywhere.

Personally, if you're using a lot of oil, my recommendation would be to go to Wal-Mart and pick up some Rotella Synthetic (5 gallon blue jug) 5w-40 and use that year round.

I wouldn't run a 5w-30 in summer or winter in a constant oil burner, and forgo the 10w-40 of any brand, they contain too many polymers and shear way too fast, leaving behind a lot of gunk in your engine.

Trust me, try the Rotella synthetic - it's not a TRUE synthetic, but might as well be, and it is a diesel/gasoline engine rated oil with higher detergent levels, so it will help clean your ring packs and other areas of your engine.

[srpope80]

For hot climates (I live in Florida) I use 20w-50. I know this does not apply to the freezing cold Northern winters, so don't send me nasty-grams! My '98 Rodeo has seemed to really benefit from this weight though. I buy Castrol GTX red toppers..... I believe it helps protect in higher ambient temperatures and I have not seen any of the oil consumption issues other owners speak of with higher mileage Isuzus.... Not sure if this would help the rings to seat better in higher temps? I just rolled 153,000 on mine...

-Scott

[klvaleri]

Originally Posted by srpope80

For hot climates (I live in Florida) I use 20w-50. I know this does not apply to the freezing cold Northern winters, so don't send me nasty-grams! My '98 Rodeo has seemed to really benefit from this weight though. I buy Castrol GTX red toppers..... I believe it helps protect in higher ambient temperatures and I have not seen any of the oil consumption issues other owners speak of with higher mileage Isuzus.... Not sure if this would help the rings to seat better in higher temps? I just rolled 153,000 on mine...

-Scott

That is exactly why I asked about this 15w40 weight just because I live in the cold state but I read some forum from guy live in Canada that his dealer recommended him to switch his oil to this weight and by the way I have 115,000 miles on it. Thanks.

[2eyefishclaw]

I am with srpope80 I also being in the south. I always ran 20w50 in my trooper without any problems just change it often and do it while the oil is hot

[trooperbc]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Fever

...it will help clean your ring packs and other areas of your engine.

ok, i was hoping someone else was going to ask, so...

what are "ring packs" ?

//bc

[Ramblin Fever]

Oh yeah, for sure if you live in the south run 15w-40 or what have you year round, I thought the original poster lived in Minnesota.

Sorry, Trooperbc, I refer to piston rings as ring packs - nothing unusual just figure of speach.