FAQ: Engine Oil - What type and change intervals?

I run Shell Rotella Synthetic 5W40 and a Purolator Pure 1 in everything but my higher mileage cars - Which get Rotella 15W40...

There was a forum I used to frequent that rates Rotella as the best overall synthetic oil simply due to price, high detergent content, etc.

I used to use Shell X100 oil, quite a few years ago, because the tests showed it would not break down as much as others. Back then, and maybe now, it was the only oil that was not made from PA grade crude oil?

quote: "At between 3k and 4k miles, I drop the filter and put a new one on the top off the oil. At 5k miles, the oil is still clean and honey in color."

Can you just pull the filter on our engines without losing oil? I've always drained the oil beforehand, because I thought it would just spill out if you removed the filter first.

AA wrote:

quote: "At between 3k and 4k miles, I drop the filter and put a new one on the top off the oil. At 5k miles, the oil is still clean and honey in color."

Can you just pull the filter on our engines without losing oil? I've always drained the oil beforehand, because I thought it would just spill out if you removed the filter first.

You will lose what is in the filter and a little more, probably between 1/2 and 3/4 of a quart or so.

im only posting this hear so i can get a quick answer ,im going to be running royal purple. but should i run 5w30 or 10w30

The quick answer is 10w30.

thank you sir

Except that the manual says to run 5W30 in colder regions in winter, I don't have the specific temp range in front of me. I've just changed from RP 10W30 to RP 5W30 for winter. We see lows hit -20 to -25 at times in Dec-Feb, so it's going to turn over easier at those low temps. I don't know how cold Utica gets in winter... My Riv is in an unheated attached garage, but sits outside during work hours. I'll try to get thru February on this oil change, then go 10W30 again for spring/summer/fall. In NY, you are probably OK going either way, but I'd lean to the 5W30 myself for winter.

Aaron, is your Riv parked for winter, or a year-round DD?

Year round driver, never seen a garage. Perfect starts with 10w30 in temps as low as -10F.

I agree, there won't be a starting problem with 10W30, just that for a very cold start, the engine will turn a bit easier with 5W30, and oil will circulate a bit easier right away. -10 is nothing...

The manual recommends using 5W30 for expected temps below 60deg F, for reference. (just looked it up)

Hmm. Good to know.

I was very surprised to see the 10W30 label on the oil cap when I first opened the hood.  I thought just about all "relatively" newer cars defaulted to 5W30.

But then again, the 3.8/3800 is an old school engine, probably with looser tolerances than more modern designs, thus needing a bit heavier weight oil for normal operation.

well im in NY so should i go with the 5W30

In NY I'd run 5W30 during winter months, 10W30 spring/summer/fall.

Being multi-weight oils, they have identical properties at operating temps (30), but the 5W flows more freely then the 10W in cold temps. At least that's my understanding of the ratings numbers.

I run 5w30 most of the year. The summer months I run 10w30. I'm in Mass.

ok thanks man

What is the drawback of running 5W30 in the summer?

I suppose the lighter oil in summer temps would tend to drain down more instead of clinging where it is needed at startup. No diff at operating temps though.

we run 10w30 in my moms 02 aurora and and my bros 95 aurora (i hate both of them wish theyed sell em and get buicks) i figure ill run the same in my riv

Where do you live? Your winter season low temps really ought to be factored in to whether you run 10W or 5W. The oil cap itself says 10W30, but the manual clarifies it with temp considerations.

connecticut

The Riviera owners manual has a chart showing oil recommendations per expected low temp ranges. For reference, at 60deg F and below, it recommends running 5W30. I don't expect you see too many 60deg days in the winter in CT, and would think 5W30 is a better choice for a few months of winter.

I'm also not saying that you'll hurt your engine with 10W30 in the winter, but I expect the engineers recommended 5W30 below 60deg for good reasons.

yeah it dosent say anythinga bout it in the aurora manuals i dont really care being as they arnt my cars if it should be 5w30 in the winter then ill get mine changed in a month or 2 when it gets cold hear also have to get it changed to royal purple from whatever the ppl i bought it off were useing