Do you put a different oil weight in winter?

ZeeBabar · 11-18-2014, 05:46 AM

I have 0-20 full synthetic in my car. This coming winter looks cold even in the lower Midwest. Should I get the oil changed to a different weight?

I just read an article on "winterizing" and it suggests changing fluids. Do you guys change all fluids including oil in winter?

Chuck33079 · 11-18-2014, 06:51 AM

You should run the factory recommended oil weight all year long. 0w20 is way too thin.

SouthArk370Z · 11-18-2014, 07:19 AM

20 is probably OK if you don't push the engine hard but I agree with Chuck33079 that you will be better off running what the manual calls for.

When the oil is cold, 5W20 is as thick as straight 5 weight oil would be at that temperature. When the oil warms up, it's going to be like straight 20 weight. For winterizing, you only need to worry about the number before the "W". If you think you need a lighter oil for Winter, go to 0W30 - it will act like 0 weight oil when cold (for easier starts and faster pressure buildup) but still provide protection when the oil warms up.

BTW, changing the oil for Winter is usually done if the car is going into storage, If you are driving the car on a regular basis, there is no need to alter your change interval.

JARblue · 11-18-2014, 07:20 AM

Why are you running 0-20 in a car that wants 5W-30?

ZeeBabar · 11-18-2014, 07:21 AM

So, thin oil is for warmer weather and thick oil is for winters? I thought it was the other way around.

Chuck33079 · 11-18-2014, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeeBabar

So, thin oil is for warmer weather and thick oil is for winters? I thought it was the other way around.

No, you should run what the manual recommends all year round. Why is this a debate? There's this handy little book they give you with the car that is full of all the info you need.

JARblue · 11-18-2014, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeeBabar

So, thin oil is for warmer weather and thick oil is for winters? I thought it was the other way around.

That's not what he said at all...

Nissan recommends 5W-30. That's what you should be running. Thinner oil during the winter would be 0W-30. You ran 0W-20 during the summer

JARblue · 11-18-2014, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

No, you should run what the manual recommends all year round. Why is this a debate? There's this handy little book they give you with the car that is full of all the info you need.

SouthArk370Z · 11-18-2014, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeeBabar

So, thin oil is for warmer weather and thick oil is for winters? I thought it was the other way around.

You are correct for single-viscosity lubes. If you are running a multi-vis, you can run the same stuff year-round.

https://www.google.com/#q=Oil+viscosity

Edit: To sum it all up, if you are running multi-vis oil, there is no need to change the oil weight you are using because of the season.

Threadlocker · 11-18-2014, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeeBabar

I have 0-20 full synthetic in my car. This coming winter looks cold even in the lower Midwest. Should I get the oil changed to a different weight?

I just read an article on "winterizing" and it suggests changing fluids. Do you guys change all fluids including oil in winter?

Link to article please.

Mitco39 · 11-18-2014, 08:46 AM

0W-40 is what I would run in my car year round. I run it in all my vehicles.

Read T · 11-18-2014, 08:53 AM

The oil in 370Zs runs so hot anyways you should just probably stick with 5w30

11-18-2014, 05:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
ZeeBabar Banned Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Missouri Posts: 423 Drives: 2006 350z Rep Power: 0	Do you put a different oil weight in winter? I have 0-20 full synthetic in my car. This coming winter looks cold even in the lower Midwest. Should I get the oil changed to a different weight? I just read an article on "winterizing" and it suggests changing fluids. Do you guys change all fluids including oil in winter?

11-18-2014, 06:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29538	You should run the factory recommended oil weight all year long. 0w20 is way too thin. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

11-18-2014, 07:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324197	20 is probably OK if you don't push the engine hard but I agree with Chuck33079 that you will be better off running what the manual calls for. When the oil is cold, 5W20 is as thick as straight 5 weight oil would be at that temperature. When the oil warms up, it's going to be like straight 20 weight. For winterizing, you only need to worry about the number before the "W". If you think you need a lighter oil for Winter, go to 0W30 - it will act like 0 weight oil when cold (for easier starts and faster pressure buildup) but still provide protection when the oil warms up. BTW, changing the oil for Winter is usually done if the car is going into storage, If you are driving the car on a regular basis, there is no need to alter your change interval. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

11-18-2014, 07:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 43 Posts: 36,449 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684440	Why are you running 0-20 in a car that wants 5W-30? __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

11-18-2014, 08:46 AM	#11 (permalink)
Mitco39 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Edmonton Alberta Canada Posts: 2,089 Drives: 40th 370z Rep Power: 131	0W-40 is what I would run in my car year round. I run it in all my vehicles. Limeybastard likes this. __________________ 2007 Chevy Duramax - EFILive Tuned By Me 2010 40th W/ Nav - Boosted Performance - UpRev Tuned By Me The Mrs. Ride -2012 335XI N55 BMW - Cobb Tuned By Me, Built by her My Build --> http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...39s-build.html

11-18-2014, 07:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
ZeeBabar Banned Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Missouri Posts: 423 Drives: 2006 350z Rep Power: 0	So, thin oil is for warmer weather and thick oil is for winters? I thought it was the other way around.

11-18-2014, 08:53 AM	#12 (permalink)
Read T A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,046 Drives: 11 Nissan 370z BC 6M Rep Power: 18	The oil in 370Zs runs so hot anyways you should just probably stick with 5w30 __________________ 2011 Nissan 370z Black Cherry Sport Pkg - Daily Driver, , 1960 Morgan +4 fun car, 1986 BMW 325ES, 1998 M3 and 1996 Spec Miata - Race Cars SUPPORT TEAM WINSOME RACING - WRL, CHUMP, LEMONS

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