Engine Oil Question <Probably stupid>

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loudawgmv540@gmail.com - 21 Feb 2007 01:40 GMT

I just recently bought a 2006 Saturn ION level 2. It's got 24k on it
and I went to get my oil changed and accidentally asked for 10W30
instead of 5W30(Owners manual recommended oil). I live in buffalo,
it's pretty cold up here, is this going to screw up my engine if I
don't get it fixed immediately? I noticed that the engine sounds a
tiny bit louder, I just hope I didn't do anything that I'll regret
later.

Louis

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E Meyer - 21 Feb 2007 04:40 GMT

If it starts in the morning, you're fine. The only difference between 5w
and 10w is the 5w oil is thinner when cold. They are both 30 when hot, so,
other than easier cold starts with 5w, there is no difference to the engine.

On 2/20/07 7:40 PM, in article
1172022020.904929.214250@j27g2000cwj.googlegroups.com,

> I just recently bought a 2006 Saturn ION level 2. It's got 24k on it
> and I went to get my oil changed and accidentally asked for 10W30
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Louis

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loudawgmv540@gmail.com - 21 Feb 2007 12:39 GMT

> If it starts in the morning, you're fine. The only difference between 5w
> and 10w is the 5w oil is thinner when cold. They are both 30 when hot, so,
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> > Louis

Okay thanks. I forgot to mention it is full synthetic oil, don't know
if that makes a difference or not. My engine seems a little louder
than usual, could this be from switching from dino oil to synthetic?
Thanks again for the reply.

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E Meyer - 21 Feb 2007 15:28 GMT

On 2/21/07 6:39 AM, in article
1172061564.257678.13200@v45g2000cwv.googlegroups.com,

>> If it starts in the morning, you're fine. The only difference between 5w
>> and 10w is the 5w oil is thinner when cold. They are both 30 when hot, so,
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> than usual, could this be from switching from dino oil to synthetic?
> Thanks again for the reply.

Unlikely the oil is making the engine sound louder. Did you do anything
else to it besides changing the oil? It could be you are just being more
sensitive to its sound because you think you might have done something to
it.

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Dan Beaton - 21 Feb 2007 13:21 GMT

If you have a block heater, it would be best to use it on the colder
mornings. This is good practice in our cold weather (I live in Ottawa)
but also a good way to deal with the slightly thicker oil.
Dan

(This account is not used for email.)

> If it starts in the morning, you're fine. The only difference between 5w
> and 10w is the 5w oil is thinner when cold. They are both 30 when hot, so,
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>>
>> Louis

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CraigFL - 21 Feb 2007 12:35 GMT

I'm a big believer in using the correct/recommended oil in a newer car.
Newer cars have tighter manufacturing tolerances so the thinner oil(at
startup) is necessary to assure good lubrication. I wouldn't say you
will definitely damage the engine during cold startups but having the
right oil is safer. A lot of times the most wear occurs while the
engine is cold and lubrication is not the best.

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CraigFL

http://www.automotiveforums.com

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Steve - 21 Feb 2007 19:37 GMT

> I'm a big believer in using the correct/recommended oil in a newer car.
> Newer cars have tighter manufacturing tolerances so the thinner oil(at
> startup) is necessary to assure good lubrication.

No, they don't. The internal specified clearances haven't changed in 40
years. What HAS changed is that automakers now know that they can
perform better on CAFE requirements with thin oils, and modern engines
have things like roller cams and no gear drives which make them more
TOLERANT of (but don't make them REQUIRE) thinner oils.

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