Hi guys,

I know Mitsu recommends 10W30 oil for our cars. However, I've heard that RRE, Works, and others recommend 20W50 for summer use.

Is 20W50 safe for hard track use? Theoretically, thicker oils protect the bottom end better but might not protect the valetrain as well as lower viscocity oils. I imagine there's a trade-off here.

What are you track junkies using?

Emre

 

I have been using the stock 10/30. Going to the 20w50 is probably a good idea, escpecially since those shops you mention recommend it. The theory is that when the oil gets so hot, it thins out. That 20w50 on the track probably thins out so that it is more like a 10/30 on the street. Of course, I probably have no idea what I am talking about.

 

I have decided that if I blow up my engine, I want 10-30, not 20-50 in it.

 

Yeh, I'm a little torn. I'm tempted to try the 20W50.

Emre

 

are u sure. i thought the oil in our cars was 5W-30

 

Nah, it's 10W-30. 5W-30 is recommended for extremely cold climates.

What about 10W-40?

 

It sucks M1 discontinued oils above 10w-30. In the pure synthetic category that is. I don't know what all that extended mileage crap is that they have these days.

I have ran 20W-50 M1 before on the track. After looking at the specs between the M1 10w30 and 20w50 they are a lot similar than most people think. I'd recommend it, but again it's been discontinued.

 

2 weeks ago at the track......I use 3 qt of 10/30 and mix 1 qt of 15/50. Not too sure should I mix different grade oil together....but the car run about the same. btw....my oil temp ran as hight as 260f in one point.

 

I use Redline synthetic 20W/50 on the track, which is what RRE recommends.

 

+1 for me on this. I have had no issues with it at all, didn't notice any improvement temp-wise.

 

Redline 20-50w is in the race car, Castrol GTX 20-50w is in the street car.

 

Thanks for all the replies, guys! I'll try the 20W50 next week at Tremblant.

Emre

 

We changed to Redline for the summer months in the Central Valley of Cali, too many 100 degree plus days in a row around here. Everything seems good.

 

I use Mobil 1 5W-30 in the winter here in Ohio b/c I park outsider overnight, I don't run hard in the winter to warrent any heavier oils either.