Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site ssc-vax.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!drutx!mtuxo!mtunh!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!carlson From: carlson@ssc-vax.UUCP (Lee R Carlson) Newsgroups: net.auto.tech Subject: Re: What motor oil should I use? Message-ID: <362@ssc-vax.UUCP> Date: Tue, 12-Nov-85 15:50:57 EST Article-I.D.: ssc-vax.362 Posted: Tue Nov 12 15:50:57 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 14-Nov-85 07:17:16 EST References: <561@ihwpt.UUCP> Distribution: na Organization: Boeing Aerospace Co., Seattle, WA Lines: 44 *** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH 5W-30 *** > Questions: > 1) What is this rating SE-SF-CC? > 2) Is it true that 10W-40 will be phased out? > 3) Is 10W-30 safe to use ALL year round? > 4) If the answer to number 3 is "no", what oil should I use? > > Please kept the following in mind as you answer: > I have an aluminum engine, I drive about 15,000 miles a year, > 75% of my driving is at highway speeds (60+) and I live in the midwest. > 1) SF - Current state-of-the-oil service grade. In order for oil to use SAE-API "SF" designation it must meet a bunch of specification that include viscocity stability, detergent content, and who knows what else. SE was the previous grade. SD, and SC were probably before that. CC and CD are designations pertainant to Diesel owners. 2) Probably. GM is now specifying 5W-30, 30, and 10W-30 oils in it's new cars. My '85 STE owner's manual makes mention of 10W-40 only to prohibit it's use. That may be for a Diesel application. The reason is 5W-30 and straight 30 are lower viscocity -> lower internal fluidic "friction" -> higher mileage. Also, GM is specifically excluding mention of 10W-40 to strong-arm the oil makers into offering 5W-30 and 10W-30 oils. 3) Look in your owner's manual. I think my STE manual suggests it. Your owner's manual should have some sort of a temp vs. viscocity graph. 4) A family friend is a real oil expert. He tells us to use 10W-30 in everything, including our 78 Vette. My question is: Anyone have any (non-synthetic) oil brand preference. My supply of Sears has run out. -- -- Lee Carlson -- Boeing Errorspace, Seattle ...{uw-beaver|fluke}!ssc-vax!carlson