I recently purchased a S281 Extreme, 2007. It's a great car and I am using it as my daily driver to work. I live in Southern California with hot weather >100F and often stop and go traffic on the freeway. I am due for a oil change now having racked up 3,000 miles since purchase. I need guidance on the best motor oil for the car in these driving conditions. The cap on the car says to use synthetic 5w20 but that seems too low of a weight. The Saleen manual says to use synthetic 5w30. The manager of my local Expresslube says it would be best to use synthetic 5w50. With the hot temp of my local area and stop and go traffic it makes sense to me to opt for the synthetic 5w50. Is this correct? Appreciate your thoughts, Dan

 

I live in PHX, AZ just as warm as CA if not warmer (depending on where you live) and I just ran the stock requirements 5w 30 and had zero issues for 3 years

 

the GT 500 calls for 5w-50, not sure if this helps

 

I'm the engine builder,

5w20 synthetic brother.Synthetic oils are powerful against thermal breakdown(heat), it will remain stable period.

The oil passages in the special lifters REQUIRE it.And if a piece of dirt, the head of an insect etc, gets in the motor(common), 5w20 synthetic will work its way through most blockages when hot.

Why it may not be a big deal now, IT WILL BE LATER, when you trade this car in and someone buys it used.

The old days of choosing oil weight are over, clearances are tighter than ever, requiring the thinnest oils.