[bikz]

and while we're on it.....would 5W40 rated oils still be the best in a hot climate? I'm opting for Mobil 1 Gold......however my supplier insists the Mobil 1 Gold 0W40 (which is slightly more expensive)would be better......i was told that in climates such as here, the first denomination ie 0 or 5 shld not matter as much?

[mk e]

Originally Posted by bikz

......i was told that in climates such as here, the first denomination ie 0 or 5 shld not matter as much?

This is true.

The first number is how thick the oil gets when cold and it really doesn't ever get cold in a warm climate. A lower number will mean the oil will get to everything sooner, but I'd be really surprised if you could measure a difference anyplace where it never gets colder than 15C or 20C

The second number is how thin it gets when hot. Normally the hotter the climate or the more aggressive the use the higher the number you want as both are indication of how hot the oil will get and that determines how thin it will get and that determines whether or not it will properly protect your engine or not.

[Brian]

From what I know of your climate the cold flow capabilities of a 0 or 5w on the low end is just not needed but with your heat and humidity, both creating a challenge for your oil cooler you might want to go higher on the high end of the spec. That will also depend on how hard you are running the car.

Going to a 50 or even 60w oil isn't out of the question.

[bikz]

thanks guys,

I'v decided to go for Mobil 1 5W/50.....

and also for you noobs like myself.....this site is a brilliant help on understanding about your oils!
Motor Oil 101 - Bob is the Oil Guy
Engine Oil Analysis - Bob is the Oil Guy

[bikz]

ok guys I contacted the local Redline dealer to get my tranny oil (75w95NS) and he is now trying to change my mind to use the Redline engine oil as well.....
so i have set my baseline, thanks to you guys that it would be a xW50 or xW60 oil and initially as mentioned above i thought ill go for Mobil 5W50.......
but now having 2nd thoughts..... so should it be

Redline 5W50, 15W50 or 10W60? (if i am to go for Redline)

[Brian]

Originally Posted by bikz

ok guys I contacted the local Redline dealer to get my tranny oil (75w95NS) and he is now trying to change my mind to use the Redline engine oil as well.....
so i have set my baseline, thanks to you guys that it would be a xW50 or xW60 oil and initially as mentioned above i thought ill go for Mobil 5W50.......
but now having 2nd thoughts..... so should it be

Redline 5W50, 15W50 or 10W60? (if i am to go for Redline)

In your climate either of the 50's will serve you well. Since it does not get cold the chemistry of the 15/50 might have an advantage. If you used the car very hard the 60 might be better. I would ask them. They know their products.

[GPGardin]

The few things I have read would push me towards the 5W40 or 50.
When the normal motor oil was 10W30 and the car makers started to go to 5W30, I read a report ( disclaimer - I do not remember the source and cannot attest to its accuracy..) where they measured the time it took for oil to reach the top of an engine. The 10W30 took about 30 s, the 5W30 took about 5s. As our vehicles tend to get driven less, I think that there is more wear and tear in starting ( percentage wise ) than a daily driver ( I commute 80 Km ( 50 miles ) each way...). Even at room temp, the 5W will be thinner than 15W and flow faster to top of the engine. Since the running temp viscosity is still 40 or 50, there should be adequate lubrication when at temp.
Just my 2 cents.