I know there have been a bunch of oil threads already, but I just want to make sure it's ok to use 5w30 in the summer time. I went to AutoZone to get some oil and asked what weight they had listed for my car and they said 5w30. Yet in my search I see people using that weight in the winter times. Nothing specific about warmer temps. So is it ok if I use 5w30 in warmer temps or should I go exchange it for 10w30?

 

let me ask you why do you want to use 5w30 in summer time? in the factory manual it states specifically that use the lower weight when its extremely cold.

People use the heavier weight when its really hot out, I don't see why you want to use lower weight during summer.

Just look at the owner manual you will find the specifics for oil for all weather

 

I don't have an owner's manual. Car came without one. And it's not that I WANT to use it. It's that that is what the folks at AutoZone had listed for my car. It's ok though, I'll go exchange it.

 

Depends on your environment's climate. I'm in California and its never freezing cold or ultra hot like the desert (Arizona). I stick with 10w-30 Mobil 1 all year round. I have tried 5w30 but it comes out really thin when I change my oil.

 

Friend of mine accidentally got 5w30 (manual says 10w30) and he has oil pressure problems when he pushes the car for Autoxing, etc...

If it's DD stuff, you shouldn't have a problem.

 

i'd stick with 10w-30 like it comes with from the factory. IMO, it wouldn't be wise to use a thinner oil in hotter temps.

 

even in NJ, since i dont drive my evo in freezing weather, i never do 5w30 anymore. in the summer, 5w30 is a NO NO. u really trust the expertise of autozone? HAHA

 

if your gonna stay with mobile 1 then stick with 10w-30

 

Should be fine as long as it's a full ester based group IV synthetic. Heck.. I run Eneos 0W-50 in mine with no problems...

I just remembered.. Mobil 1 isn't a full synthetic anymore from what I've read. They now use a group III base.

 

You beat me to it...good for you. And for the record, I am a fan of Royal Purple and Eneos...I use Royal Purple 10-30w religiously and Eneos whenever I can.

 

I wouldnt do it! U have to realize that lighter oil is good for everyday driving but when it gets hot it becomes even thinner! Your oil pressure will drop and you might have some engine problems. if anything go up but not down.

 

The 'W' in 5W-30 or 10W-30, or even 0W-50 represents the level of viscosity at winter temperatures. The other figure is the maximum viscosity level the oil will reach when hot.

So even if he runs 5W-30 in the summer, he'll be fine as the operating range of the oil goes up to 30 when hot. He just has the added benefit of a slightly thinner oil at startup (allows oil to reach critical areas faster), and won't have to change viscosities come winter.

This also applied to the Eneos 0W-50 which I run. As you can see, 0W through 50 encompasses a wide viscosity range, including 5W-30, and 10W-30. Some say that the oil with such a large viscosity range breaks down faster than those with a smaller range, but I haven't noticed any issues to date. The engine definitely operates a lot smoother through the RPM band.

 

.....so does it really make any difference if you use 5W or 10W in the summer?

 

if you go by the book you wont have problems new law of physics
bro 10-30 mobil, unless you live in alaska

 

i remember when i took the my ix for its first oil change...i brought my own oil and the mitsu mechanic told me that they wouldve used 5w-30 instead of 10w-30...anyways we put 10w-30 in the end. after that i still use 10w-30.