GT03 TJS

the first couple of times that I went to get my oil changed I brought it to my mechanic. about two weeks ago, I changed the oil myself and noticed that the manual and the oil cap call for synthetic 5W-20. I read the bill from my mechanic and he put in standard 10W-30....as did I

Now I understand the difference in weight rating...but should I use synthetic or standard oil? Does either impact performance/engine wear differently?

just curious...

dubarado

synthetic all the way... it is just all around better... although I don't know the specifics... well... read the label lol... but how many miles are on your GT.... after a while you can up the oil from 5w-20, but once you do, don't go back...

blownbayou

This could get ugly.......If you change your oil on time (3000 miles) use a synblend---Motorcraft 5w20. If you do not change it on time go with the syn 5w20.

Later

Matts00GT

You can use regular fossil oil. I recommend synthetic because it is simply better and provides longer engine life. But, its not neccessary.

You are completely fine running standard Castrol/valvoline/havoline etc.

GT03 TJS

if anything, i change the oil a little before 3000 just to be on the safe side. I'm almost at 60K. soooo i should stop using standard 10W-30?

other than changing the oil normally, is there a way to flush out the system before I go back to 5W-20?

Dan04COBRA

No point in flushing it out. It won't effect your new oil in any way.

bumpinwheels95

i love mobil 1 and i also like quaker state full synthetic

i can feel a slight diff with the quaker state.. i guess their commerical arnt bs when they say unleash all ur horses

handyandy

sorry to jack the thread, but whats the difference in 5W-20 and 10W-30. What do the numbers mean, I'm young and know nothing about oil. What are benefits in using a different oil than on the cap, like 10W-30? I thought 10W-30 was the most common oil in most vehicles, so I was kinda suprised to see 5W-20 on the cap. Why is that?

handyandy

bumppppp

Matts00GT

Ok the numbers you see are known as "weights". The weight of the oil. It simply refers to the temperatures at which the oil is good for or you can think of it in an easier way as "the thickness" of the oil.

5w20 is pretty much the thickest oil and it works best in cooler climates. As the temperature outside warms up, you should go up in weight. Warmest being 20w50.

Basically, running 10w30 in the summer will not hurt your car. But if you were to run it during a colder temperature outside, you wouldnt get the same protection.

Also 10w30 is the most common motor oil, so you are correct in thinking that. But, you should always go buy the manufacturers recommended weight. Ford motors typically use 5w20 now and most GM cars use 5w30. 5w30 is the best all around for climate. I think it ranges from -32-105/110 degrees F.

Theres a chart somewhere but I cant seem to find it. This is just a basic understanding, it goes into much more detail. If you are interested you can google motor oil and learn all you'd like.