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      10-30-2018, 01:17 PM   #1
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Change oil weight?

Does anyone change their oil according to the time of year. ie winter/summer. For instance, 5W40 in summer and 0W40 in winter?
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      10-30-2018, 09:34 PM   #2
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ah, it gets complicated quick. You're in scotland? And you drive a n54 much below 40degrees F? - I would suggest you find a winter vehicle. As n54s age they arnt very friendly... you will be chasing all kinds of stuff. Better drive it 6K miles out of the year and have $ for your other activities.. ;-)
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      10-31-2018, 04:07 AM   #3
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Yeah I know what ur saying.... I only do about 6k a year anyway....I don't think it's a good idea to leave it alone for the winter either...I'd prefer to keep it running tbh. Temps here are between roughly 0- 10 from about now to at least March....then gradually creeps up to 20-25. I just was thinking the 0w40 would be better suited to start using now as the temps dropped.. Then change it back to the 5W40 about April/May time. Tbh I could probably just use the 0W40 all year round, as I probably could get away with it with my climate. Was just wondering if people actually did change due to the season. Maybe mine isn't as drastic as say Canada, where it's scorching in summer and extremely cold in winter. I just like the idea of a 0W weight for my temps just now. I change the oil twice a year anyway regardless of mileage.
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      10-31-2018, 06:25 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snedanator View Post
Does anyone change their oil according to the time of year. ie winter/summer. For instance, 5W40 in summer and 0W40 in winter?
No.

If you're running 5W-40 in summer what is the point of not running 0W-40 all year long?

I run 0W-40 all year.
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      10-31-2018, 06:27 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by snedanator View Post
I just was thinking the 0w40 would be better suited to start using now as the temps dropped.. Then change it back to the 5W40 about April/May time. Tbh I could probably just use the 0W40 all year round, as I probably could get away with it with my climate.
You're still running 5W-40 in the summer. It makes no difference running 0W-40 or 5W-40 in the summer, actually running 0W-40 in the summer will be even better in case it gets colder but still, just run 0W-40 all year.

I'm just confused unless I'm the one not understanding oil weights. Don't see why 0W-40 is not used all year by some people.
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      10-31-2018, 06:53 AM   #6
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That's why I'm asking the question. Some countries will be -10 in the winter...especially in the morning...and that same country will be at least 20 degrees in the morning. I can understand using 0W all year round would make sense.... But there must be a point to where using the 5W would make sense too according to the time of year? People run 5W30 as well, so why not 0W30 all year round. I suppose getting technical about it...it would be more understanding to read the specific oil data for cold starts etc..... wouldn't it? So what we would actually need...either a 0W or 5W, depending where we live.
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      10-31-2018, 07:21 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snedanator View Post
That's why I'm asking the question. Some countries will be -10 in the winter...especially in the morning...and that same country will be at least 20 degrees in the morning. I can understand using 0W all year round would make sense.... But there must be a point to where using the 5W would make sense too according to the time of year? People run 5W30 as well, so why not 0W30 all year round. I suppose getting technical about it...it would be more understanding to read the specific oil data for cold starts etc..... wouldn't it? So what we would actually need...either a 0W or 5W, depending where we live.
But once again, what is the point of having 5W. W stands for the cold weight, when it's cold, don't you always want something lower, and now that oil technlogy allows to have 0W with most grades, the best options in my head logically would be to always run 0W-X oils.

Unless like I said, I'm not understanding properly and 5W could protect more? The only reason I can see not running 0W is if it's always hot where you live and the 0W oils are more expensive. Because even if it's hot, your oil weight won't be the W number, because it's already somewhat hotter because of outside temp.
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      10-31-2018, 07:25 AM   #8
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I have been running 5W30 for the past 6 years, all year round (temp range -35C to 35C)

Car has not blown up yet.
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      10-31-2018, 01:05 PM   #9
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Even a synthetic that has to go from zero to 40 is going to higher shearing than a 5 - 40. IT will not age as well and the net effect will be it will stay thinner. But, I would pick one and stick with it. Rule of thumb says the narrowest range that meets your operating temps.
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      10-31-2018, 01:10 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 335e92tx View Post
Even a synthetic that has to go from zero to 40 is going to higher shearing than a 5 - 40. IT will not age as well and the net effect will be it will stay thinner. But, I would pick one and stick with it. Rule of thumb says the narrowest range that meets your operating temps.
What do you mean? Both are same weights at operating temp?
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      10-31-2018, 02:27 PM   #11
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So cut a long story short. When would u use a 0w weight opposed to a 5w weight?
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      10-31-2018, 02:38 PM   #12
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W is for winter, not weight.
Falkirk weather apparently doesn't get below the mid-30*F range, so just use the manufacturer recommended stuff. Sounds like you're greatly overthinking things considering you're not in the arctic.
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      10-31-2018, 02:52 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal View Post
What do you mean? Both are same weights at operating temp?

Oils with wider ranges will tend to have more Viis (Viscosity Index Improvers). Viis have a drawback of being prone to degradation induced by shear forces in the oil. As a result, the wider range your oil has, the more Viis it likely has, and the faster it will break down. If you're always using 0W-40 I'd definitely stay on top of my oil change interval.

More info here: https://www.machinerylubrication.com...ndex-improvers
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      10-31-2018, 03:50 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by Varjo View Post
Oils with wider ranges will tend to have more Viis (Viscosity Index Improvers). Viis have a drawback of being prone to degradation induced by shear forces in the oil. As a result, the wider range your oil has, the more Viis it likely has, and the faster it will break down. If you're always using 0W-40 I'd definitely stay on top of my oil change interval.

More info here: https://www.machinerylubrication.com...ndex-improvers
I do ~ 7500 miles oil changes.
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      10-31-2018, 03:50 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MysticRob View Post
W is for winter, not weight.
Falkirk weather apparently doesn't get below the mid-30*F range, so just use the manufacturer recommended stuff. Sounds like you're greatly overthinking things considering you're not in the arctic.
But that's the problem! What the manufacutere recommends isn't even clear.

How it's written in my manual it lists 4 oil grades, 0w-40, 5w-40, 0w-30, 5w-30.

Altough 0w-40 is listed first so I guess that's the one they want me to use?
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      10-31-2018, 04:11 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal View Post
But that's the problem! What the manufacutere recommends isn't even clear.

How it's written in my manual it lists 4 oil grades, 0w-40, 5w-40, 0w-30, 5w-30.

Altough 0w-40 is listed first so I guess that's the one they want me to use?
And why does it list them all? Because there really isn't much difference between them when taking "typical" planetary temperature variations or "typical" vehicle usage requirements into consideration.

My Service and Warranty Information booklet says 5W-30 for regular maintenance. I use 5W-40 Motul 8100. Both are listed as okey dokey as long as they're LL-01 quality.
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      10-31-2018, 04:36 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MysticRob View Post
And why does it list them all? Because there really isn't much difference between them when taking "typical" planetary temperature variations or "typical" vehicle usage requirements into consideration.

My Service and Warranty Information booklet says 5W-30 for regular maintenance. I use 5W-40 Motul 8100. Both are listed as okey dokey as long as they're LL-01 quality.
Exactly this! Why does it list them all? And yes I know I'm over thinking this as all of the above will work perfectly in the N54. But some are using this and some are using that etc. I understand that if u live in a -30 country the 0w makes sense rather than the 5w. But on the other hand 5w work's as well according to data info. I think basically if u stick to any of these all will b good. I was just asking the simple question if anyone actually changed oil from 0w to 5w ....season permitting. I've been using castrol edge sport 5w40 for nearly 4 years now and been happy but it's quite hard to find now.. But going to try 0w40 or 5w40 redline, see how it goes.
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      10-31-2018, 04:55 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 335e92tx View Post
ah, it gets complicated quick. You're in scotland? And you drive a n54 much below 40degrees F? - I would suggest you find a winter vehicle. As n54s age they arnt very friendly... you will be chasing all kinds of stuff. Better drive it 6K miles out of the year and have $ for your other activities.. ;-)
so you're saying that BMW designed a motor that doesn't like anything below 40 degrees?

you're on crack.

a 5w40 weight is fine to well below 0F temps. Like -20 fine.
Don't worry about it. That's why we have multi viscosity oils in the first place.
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      10-31-2018, 04:56 PM   #19
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I hear you on the season permitting factor, especially considering where you are. I was very surprised to see your cold weather and mine aren't really all that different, though your 'warm' weather is close to 15* cooler than mine. Figured Scotland would be frozen wasteland but admit I've never been to the UK, or anywhere on that side of the Atlantic for that matter.

I'm surprised you change your oil twice a year too, considering the temperate climate. If not mileage related, is it just for Piece of Mind (stealth Iron Maiden reference).
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      10-31-2018, 05:04 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MysticRob View Post
I hear you on the season permitting factor, especially considering where you are. I was very surprised to see your cold weather and mine aren't really all that different, though your 'warm' weather is close to 15* cooler than mine. Figured Scotland would be frozen wasteland but admit I've never been to the UK, or anywhere on that side of the Atlantic for that matter.

I'm surprised you change your oil twice a year too, considering the temperate climate. If not mileage related, is it just for Piece of Mind (stealth Iron Maiden reference).
Yeah it gets to -5 if ur lucky...But probably averages about 5 degrees most of the winter. Then summer is only about 20-25. I'll change it twice a year for the sake of it and for what it costs.... not really to do with changing the 5w to 0w really...just wanted to know if people actually did. I'll try the 0w40 redline I think. Or the new liqui moly molygen seems to be getting some praise as well. Thanks for the input folks. Much appreciated..and happy driving. :-)
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      11-01-2018, 08:19 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nsjames View Post
so you're saying that BMW designed a motor that doesn't like anything below 40 degrees?

you're on crack.

a 5w40 weight is fine to well below 0F temps. Like -20 fine.
Don't worry about it. That's why we have multi viscosity oils in the first place.
Ah, no. Please dont generalize my statements.
They also recommend zero weight oils. And thats not something that most n54s really need especially when modded.

If you want to get specific, anything that has to make a larger jump from X to Y will use more viscosity improvers. The larger jump it makes the more additive needed. They help the molecules form long chains to increase the viscosity. As the oil experiences shearing, those VI additives break down over time and they dont join up as well. .

And the oil stays thin

Now, where else you want to go ace?
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      11-01-2018, 08:43 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 335e92tx View Post
Ah, no. Please dont generalize my statements.
They also recommend zero weight oils. And thats not something that most n54s really need especially when modded.

If you want to get specific, anything that has to make a larger jump from X to Y will use more viscosity improvers. The larger jump it makes the more additive needed. They help the molecules form long chains to increase the viscosity. As the oil experiences shearing, those VI additives break down over time and they dont join up as well. .

And the oil stays thin

Now, where else you want to go ace?
Ok but like that's to an extreme. With 7500 miles oil changes those additives are still there.
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