5W50 or 10W40..??

pty370z · 05-25-2010, 04:15 PM

Hi guys,

I'm getting close to the time of my second oil change. So far I've been using the oil the dealer has (Castrol Synthetic 5W30). I am planning on switching to Red Line Oil but can't decide between 5W50 or 10W40.

According to Red Line, 5W50 is popular in high performance engines on high temperature climates. I understand 10W40 is to be used in high temp. climates as well and when you "abuse" the car.

I live in Panama, Central America. Average temps. are always between 85F-90F year-round. I sometimes do engage in some aggressive driving but never track the car... This is also my daily driver.

I have my mind set on Red Line, just not sure whether to go 5W50 or 10W40 in my specific case.

I already got a FilterMag SS250, a Project Kics Magnetic Oil Drain Bolt, and a K&N HP-1008 filter waiting for the next oil change. Only deciding on the motor oil itself.

On another note, I'm also planning on adding Water Wetter to my cooling system. Any guidelines on what's the correct procedure on this..?? I know I need to flush everything out but what quantities of water wetter and how much water..??

I appreciate any help I can get! Thanks again!

pty370z · 05-28-2010, 09:04 AM

Nobody? Any help appreciated!

LiquidZ · 05-28-2010, 09:37 AM

As a rule of thumb, you can increase your viscosity level by 1 ( going from 5W-30 to 5W-40). However, I don't feel comfortable doing this on new engines as their close tolerances might not allow for adequate lubrication with a thicker oil.

Also, there is no such thing as too thin of an oil on startup. Even if you are in Panama where you have really high temperatures, your engine will always pump an oil with a lower "winter" number (the 5 in 5W-30) better. Startup is where a lot of wear occurs as parts aren't fully protected by oil.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that I see no reason why you shouldn't stick with 5W-30. By going with a high quality synthetic, you'll be more than covered in your application.

370Zsteve · 05-28-2010, 09:38 AM

Redline doesn't market a 5W-30?

Modshack · 05-28-2010, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquidZ

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that I see no reason why you shouldn't stick with 5W-30. By going with a high quality synthetic, you'll be more than covered in your application.

...Stick with the recommended Viscosity...

FuszNissan · 05-28-2010, 10:52 AM

Try 5W-50 0r 10W-40 and let us no what happens.

pipni · 05-28-2010, 04:54 PM

In europe we are using castrol TWS 10w60 or shell helix ultra racing 10w60.

6MT · 05-28-2010, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modshack

...Stick with the recommended Viscosity...

Or let us know how much it costs you to fix the valve train issues.

pty370z · 05-28-2010, 05:23 PM

So pretty much everyone agrees I should stick to 5W30. Red Line does have 5W30 so I'll stick to that. I appreciate your input.

Any comments on the Water Wetter for the cooling system? Thanks again!

05-25-2010, 04:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
pty370z Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Panama City, Panama Posts: 654 Drives: over the speed limit Rep Power: 17	5W50 or 10W40..?? Hi guys, I'm getting close to the time of my second oil change. So far I've been using the oil the dealer has (Castrol Synthetic 5W30). I am planning on switching to Red Line Oil but can't decide between 5W50 or 10W40. According to Red Line, 5W50 is popular in high performance engines on high temperature climates. I understand 10W40 is to be used in high temp. climates as well and when you "abuse" the car. I live in Panama, Central America. Average temps. are always between 85F-90F year-round. I sometimes do engage in some aggressive driving but never track the car... This is also my daily driver. I have my mind set on Red Line, just not sure whether to go 5W50 or 10W40 in my specific case. I already got a FilterMag SS250, a Project Kics Magnetic Oil Drain Bolt, and a K&N HP-1008 filter waiting for the next oil change. Only deciding on the motor oil itself. On another note, I'm also planning on adding Water Wetter to my cooling system. Any guidelines on what's the correct procedure on this..?? I know I need to flush everything out but what quantities of water wetter and how much water..?? I appreciate any help I can get! Thanks again! __________________ 2010 Solid Red 370Z * *Touring-Sport-6MT Black Interior Performance:** STILLEN * BERK * UR * MISHIMOTO * K&N * Z1 * ZSPEED * UPREV * DBA Interior: GT-R Red Start/Stop Button * MSA Floor Mats * PW:JDM Exterior: INGS+1 * SEIBON * FUJIMURA * PW:JDM * UAM * KICS * VOLK

05-28-2010, 09:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
pty370z Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Panama City, Panama Posts: 654 Drives: over the speed limit Rep Power: 17	Nobody? Any help appreciated! __________________ 2010 Solid Red 370Z * *Touring-Sport-6MT Black Interior Performance:** STILLEN * BERK * UR * MISHIMOTO * K&N * Z1 * ZSPEED * UPREV * DBA Interior: GT-R Red Start/Stop Button * MSA Floor Mats * PW:JDM Exterior: INGS+1 * SEIBON * FUJIMURA * PW:JDM * UAM * KICS * VOLK

05-28-2010, 09:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
LiquidZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,940 Drives: Mag. Black 2009 370Z Rep Power: 705	As a rule of thumb, you can increase your viscosity level by 1 ( going from 5W-30 to 5W-40). However, I don't feel comfortable doing this on new engines as their close tolerances might not allow for adequate lubrication with a thicker oil. Also, there is no such thing as too thin of an oil on startup. Even if you are in Panama where you have really high temperatures, your engine will always pump an oil with a lower "winter" number (the 5 in 5W-30) better. Startup is where a lot of wear occurs as parts aren't fully protected by oil. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that I see no reason why you shouldn't stick with 5W-30. By going with a high quality synthetic, you'll be more than covered in your application. __________________ Last edited by LiquidZ; 05-28-2010 at 09:48 AM.

05-28-2010, 09:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
370Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gold Coast CT Posts: 10,599 Drives: 2019 Corvette G.S. Rep Power: 43	Redline doesn't market a 5W-30? __________________ SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

05-28-2010, 10:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
FuszNissan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 14,275 Drives: Pure Sex Rep Power: 542	Try 5W-50 0r 10W-40 and let us no what happens. __________________ Mods: Too Many to list! LouFuszNissan ZDAYZ 2012

05-28-2010, 04:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
pipni Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Prague Posts: 12 Drives: 350Z Rep Power: 16	In europe we are using castrol TWS 10w60 or shell helix ultra racing 10w60.

05-28-2010, 05:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
pty370z Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Panama City, Panama Posts: 654 Drives: over the speed limit Rep Power: 17	So pretty much everyone agrees I should stick to 5W30. Red Line does have 5W30 so I'll stick to that. I appreciate your input. Any comments on the Water Wetter for the cooling system? Thanks again! __________________ 2010 Solid Red 370Z * *Touring-Sport-6MT Black Interior Performance:** STILLEN * BERK * UR * MISHIMOTO * K&N * Z1 * ZSPEED * UPREV * DBA Interior: GT-R Red Start/Stop Button * MSA Floor Mats * PW:JDM Exterior: INGS+1 * SEIBON * FUJIMURA * PW:JDM * UAM * KICS * VOLK