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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: Maiden Hell on March 06, 2005, 12:37:04 PM

Title: Thinking of switching to 10w30
Post by: Maiden Hell on March 06, 2005, 12:37:04 PM
I have always ran 5w30 motor oil in my engine as per the owners manual.  It also says something about 10w30 being ok...not sure, going to check it again tomorrow.

The reason for the switch is I can get Mobil 1 10w30 for REAL cheap at this place I know.

Is anyone else running 10w30 and how is your motor doing?

The only real difference that concerns me is that I think 5w30 performs much better in the frigid temperature.

Thanks for any info.
Title: Re: Thinking of switching to 10w30
Post by: biker on March 06, 2005, 12:45:30 PM
You might want to check the owners manual again. Mine says I can run up to 20w50 depending on temp. That's what I run in mine, I live on Vancouver Island so the temp barely gets to freezing here but no complaints, I just give it a couple minutes to warm up before driving it.
Title: Re: Thinking of switching to 10w30
Post by: zukisuzi on March 06, 2005, 01:31:55 PM
From what I've heard, the main reason the recommended oil viscosities dropped to the thinner weights would be to help out with the Corporate Average Fuel Economy ratings that the government places on manufacturers. Twenty years ago we ran the thicker oils for the best lubrication. I ALWAYS ran 10W40, & sometimes 20W50! I have never ran lower than 10W30 these days. I'd rather have better lubrication and lose a little fuel economy. I think motors are built to closer specs these days, but I still want to err on the side of a higher viscosity oil. Just my .02...
Title: Re: Thinking of switching to 10w30
Post by: prairie_dog on March 06, 2005, 03:04:52 PM
 I was told synthetics can cause leaks in some vehicles, I use to have a 454SS truck and only used Mobil 1. It worked excellent, with no leaks. If you can buy that stuff for a deal, take it! ( had to buy 7 quarts at a time for the big block, really thinned out my wallet) The leaks story was told to me by a Suzuki dealership, maybe just that a STORY

Maybe you could be the guinie pig ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Thinking of switching to 10w30
Post by: Autobot on March 06, 2005, 03:05:40 PM
I've always used 10w30 in my Tracker and I've never had any troubles.  Recently I've been using Texaco Havoline, but I've also used Castrol GTX.
Title: Re: Thinking of switching to 10w30
Post by: lil_Truck on March 06, 2005, 11:05:16 PM
I've ran 15W40 Mobil 1 for the last 4 years.  

Never had a problem.  It has around 158,000 miles on the engine now.
Title: Re: Thinking of switching to 10w30
Post by: JDMFUK on March 06, 2005, 11:56:43 PM
I use mobil 1 0w30 in my 92 Sammy with no problems in the climate we have in atlanta.
Title: Re: Thinking of switching to 10w30
Post by: Bobzooki on March 07, 2005, 01:24:13 AM
If you run anything BUT 5W30 in a Grand Vitara (or your Sammi, or your Track/Kick, if it has the 2.5L V6), you will be sorry, as the timing chain tensioners will crater every 40,000 miles.

The GV owner's manual says "run 5W30 or 10W30", so we ran 10W30, and had to replace the tensioners at 40,000 and 80,000 miles.  Switched to ONLY 5W30, and now have 130,000 miles, with no sign of trouble.
Title: Re: Thinking of switching to 10w30
Post by: LawDog on March 07, 2005, 03:25:31 AM
I dunno man.  Yesterday my idiot friend blew up the 16V in his tracker cuz he got stuck and doesn't know how to drive.  He put it to the boards and PUTOOEY.  Come to find out, he was running 20/50 in it despite our stern warnings not to.  The Zuk motors have small oil passages, so going to heavy with your lube presents a risk.  10/30 isn't as bad as 20/50, obviously, but still questionable.  Have you tried Valvoline MaxLife?  I love the stuff.
Title: Re: Thinking of switching to 10w30
Post by: lil_Truck on March 07, 2005, 08:16:31 AM
I like Mobile 1.  I've ran it in by buggy sence I built it in 1988.  Most of it's life has been hammering on the sand dunes at WOT.

When I got my Tracker, 2000 it's all I've ever ran in it.  And it also has seen a lot of time on the dunes running hard at WOT.  

Both still going strong.
Title: Re: Thinking of switching to 10w30
Post by: trackinstile on March 07, 2005, 08:25:20 AM
I don't think you'd hurt anything by at least trying the Mobil one.  If it leaks you can always go back.  I was told that it's the smaller molecules of the full synth. that cause it to leak, but at the same time it's a good thing because those same small molecules get into every nook and cranny of your motor, which is a good thing.  I've never tried it, I just run Castrol dino juice and it's always done fine for me, change the oil every 2500 to 3000 miles.  My wallets too thin to be buyng 6 quarts or more for each oil change for each Suzuki.  Just my .02 ;DDave
Title: Re: Thinking of switching to 10w30
Post by: joezuki on March 07, 2005, 09:51:16 AM
My sister in law started working for Walmart. They have their own brand of full synthetic (super tech) and it retails for $2.99 a quart.  I'm on my 4th oil change with it and no leaks.  What I like about the full synthetic is that when the temps dip into the single digits, it fires up like it's summer time. My 1992 4 door  with 16v 1.6 engine is supposed to run with 10w30 according to the owners manual.  I think they recommend a lighter oil for the 2 door model, but I think you'll be fine with full synthetic 10w30.  With walmart, you get full synthetic at a premium dino juice price! ;D
Title: Re: Thinking of switching to 10w30
Post by: 92Sidekick4x4 on March 07, 2005, 09:56:03 AM
i run 10w30 in mien i think, it seems to be good
Title: Re: Thinking of switching to 10w30
Post by: SnoFalls on March 07, 2005, 09:56:52 AM
IMHO ...

10w is fine for older engines where the bearing clearances are a bit more. On a freshly built engine, I'd stick with 5w.

Title: Re: Thinking of switching to 10w30
Post by: Maiden Hell on March 07, 2005, 10:49:55 AM
Well I have been running Mobil 1 5w30 for the last few years now and it at first it did leak a little.  It doesn't anymore though.

I'm going to try 10w30 and see what difference in fuel consumption there is.
Title: Re: Thinking of switching to 10w30
Post by: Salice_q on March 07, 2005, 06:33:29 PM
I've always used 10W40 never have had problem no leaks. But I have been thinking of 10W30 next time.
Title: Re: Thinking of switching to 10w30
Post by: ronzukin on March 07, 2005, 10:49:21 PM
 The synth oil is great stuff reguardless of weight.It does have smaller molecules[and they are all the same size,in dino oil they are larger and random in size],but it leaks in older vehicles because the seals and gaskets are old and have shrunk somewhat. The dino oil with larger molecules won't go past the seals,but the synth will.
So it's not the oil that causes the leaks,the oil leaks due to the aged seals and gaskets.
It also is not recommended to break in a new engine with synth oil as it is to fine a grade and will not allow the bearings,seals,and rings to set correctly.
Title: Re: Thinking of switching to 10w30
Post by: toolman21 on March 22, 2005, 02:38:09 AM
I run 10-40 Castrol for about 100k now, no problems what so ever.  

Synthetic (I use it, Castrol, in my car and other truck) works great, motor is clean as a new one, but it is pricy and if you drive a lot it will cost you. It doesn't cause leaks, it just exploits them if there are small holes that dino oil won't make it through.
Title: Re: Thinking of switching to 10w30
Post by: CuriousKid on March 22, 2005, 03:23:26 AM
Quote
<SNIP>
Have you tried Valvoline MaxLife?  I love the stuff.
Just make sure YOU change your own oil, and don't let Valvoline Instant Car Destoryers Oil Change geniuses Employees...   :-/