I was wondering if I could change from 20w50 to 10w40 for winter? Would it help with 10 degree startups. I always run 20w50 but was hoping I could run 10w40 for the winter. Would it hurt the 85 12a Thanks, Vic

 

i'm running 10w40 now, and its around 15 when i get up in the morning. seems to be workin fine...

 

yes it would help... the 10w40 has less viscosity (sp) which means its thinner and flows easier.

--eric

 

I've got 10w40 in mine, but I know a few people have said they use 20w50 all through out the year, even those who have harsh winters.

 

I run 10w30 and it starts fine. I hate NJ, snow blows.

 

I run 20w50 in the warm months, and 10w40 in the colder months and it does help with startup on cold mornings.

peace

 

i would suggest against 10w40 and recommend 10w30. there are additives that are used to bring it up to the 40 mark that can cause deposits. it isn't that much heavier anyway.

 

After about 1,000 miles the viscosity of 20W-50 breaks down a bit and becomes thinner so it wouldn't hurt to use it in the winter since you're not really horsing the car as much. Just let it warm up before you go and keep the rpms under 3,000 until it's fully warmed up.

 

that happens despite the oil grade. since you usually aren't running as hard in the winter, breakdown should be less in thus better to run the lighter weight. that lighter weight oil will be injected by the omp far easier at startup when cold too.

 

My choke does not work so it is hard enough to get the car started so every little thing will help.

 

10W-50 in the winter...are you crazy!!!!

Oil selection depends upon the prevailing seasonal temperature in your locale: moderate climate use 10W-20 or 10W-40, hot climate use 20W-40 or 20W-50, and cold climate use 5W-30.

In New Jersey, I would use 20W-40 or 20W-50 during the winter and 10W-30 or 10W-40 during the spring/summer. The key to changing is the temperature: above 50'F use 20W-40 or 20W-50 and below 50'F use 10W-30 or 10W-40.

Moreover, the widest viscosity range is best therefore I would recommend 20W-50 and 10W-40.

 

er..you wanna switch that around...or is it late here and I'm reading it wrong. lol

 

Ok, here it is, straight from my Mazda spec book...

Lubricant Classification - A.P.I. Service SD, SE or SF
Above -10 degrees C (15 degrees F) - SAE 20W-40 or 20W-50
-25 degrees C to -30 degrees C (-13 degrees F - 86 degrees F) - SAE 10W-30
Above -25 degrees C (-13 degrees F) - SAE 10W-40 or 10W-50
Below -20 degrees C (-4 degrees F) - SAE 5W-20
Below 0 degrees C (32 degrees F) - SAE 5W-30

Oil Capacity:

Full capacity - 4.6 Liters (4.8 US Quarts, 4.0 Imp. Quarts)
Oil pan capicity - 4.2 Liters (4.4 US Quarts, 3.7 Imp. Quarts)

~T.J.