Subject: We need a litte more information before recommending a grade. Author: pdef1949 : member since June, 2004 : 9643 posts Posted on: 2010-03-18 16:53:39

Do you live in an area with colder than average or higher than average temperatures? Mostly city or mostly highway driving? How often will you change the oil and filter?

Colder than normal temps call for a grade with good low temp viscosity like a 0W-30 or 0W-40. If you live in a hotter cliamte, you need 5W-30, 5W-40 or even 10W-40.

Extended high speed driving might call for something a little more viscous, like a 5W-XX at minimum. If you do do mostly city driving with a lot of stops and go driving, or frequent stops you might want to consider changing oil more often.

Synthetic oils do not break down like conventional oils, so the change interval is much longer. For example, most synthetics are good for 10,000-15,000 miles of average driving but extended driving at extreme conditions call for a change at shorter intervals. I tend to go 10,000 miles between changes but I change the filter at 5,000-6,000 miles to be safe.

Filters get dirty and synthetic oils are far more likely to degrade from contaminants than heat and friction related breakdown. So the filter should be changed at least with every oil change and if you go with a longer change interval, you might consider changing it halfway through.

There are several articles about synthetic oils on E38.org and are well worth your time to read.

Phil in Philadelphia

'99 740iL - Classic Black (front bumper strip replacement, SS brake lines, Powerflex control arm bushings, soon to have solid caliper bushings and new suspension) And it's all mine as of October 2009!

'88 635CSi (sold and in SC now)

'96 Explorer (sold it right after I got Classic Black)

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  • We need a litte more information before recommending a grade. - pdef1949 2010-03-18 16:53:39 (64 views)
    • Re: We need a litte more information before recommending a grade. - boomer 2010-03-19 00:32:17 (69 views)
      • In that case I'd suggest you stay with the factory 5W-30 - pdef1949 2010-03-19 00:41:20 (59 views)
    • Hot and cold climate Usage - rule144 2010-03-18 18:06:17 (57 views)
      • Change Grades for Hot and Cold Climate Usage? - pdef1949 2010-03-19 09:43:43 (50 views)