[Oner001]

Hey everyone! While I got my '09 Brabus on jacks waiting for it's front 17" Monoblock VII's to come in I have some free time to ask a question that I hope a bunch of ya Smarties can help me out with! I live in SWFL and Summer is basically here (just about hitting 90's already) and I wanted to know what would be the better, more protective weight oil for my area ~ the standard 0w-40 or a 5w-30 (or something else)?

I must note that I use my car for M-F daily driving stop & go route work about 30 Miles on a highway @ 70mph and 30 Miles on streets (with some traffic but nothing too bad) ranging in speed from 35-55mph on the way back. I will be doing my own oil changes on it since the price for a shop to do so is outrageous and will be doing them at about a 5k-7.5k frequency... I am leaning more towards 5k if 5w-30 is better for my application (as it is also a bit cheaper and thus doing them more often is better/safer etc and a write off for me either way).

I have been through quite a few threads/posts reading as much as I can but couldn't find anything specifically for a REALLY hot climate area as I live in ~ so any help, information & suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

[Oner001]

From the owners manual. Several grades are good for above 86 degrees (F) - 5W-30 apparently isn't one of them.

Ahhh good to know! I stumbled upon this video and some info that states ~

Now we're in a hotter climate zone around here, so that's a 5 -30 weight that you can use on a car if it's extreme weather. If you're in a colder, more average climate, you're going to want to use 0-40 weight.

Which is why I wanted to confirm with the Smarties here @ SCOA before making a misinformed purchase/decision.

 

[Oner001]

0W-40 seems to be the best "all temp" oil - good for extreme heat & cold.

It's actually quite amazing the properties & capabilities of the oil, but the price for it comes at such a premium that I wonder if it may not be beneficial for me since I prefer to err on the safe side and do a more frequent oil change just in case...

 

[Oner001]

It's your money - the 10K interval is pretty cheap when you average out the cost.

I factored that as a large benefit but I have read so many threads/posts of owners switching to a more frequent schedule on the 0w-40 which made me wonder if I could do the same but with a less expensive (yet still quality) product (say even 5w-40, maybe a part synthetic or whatever) then I kinda think I can get the best of both worlds with a fair compromise? No? Or am I just crazy :urp: :nuts:

Found this as well in the Technical Stickies ~

APPROVED ENGINE OIL- MUST MEET SPECIFICATION MB 229.5
Mobil 1 Formula M 5W-40
Mobil 1 0W-40
Labco MB 229.5 5W-30
Total Quartz 229.5 5W-30
Elf Excellium 0W-30
Shell Helix Ultra AB 5W-30

 

[Oner001]

It's probably worth noting that the oil charts outside of the US do, in fact, list 0W-30 and 5W-30 as being appropriate for temperatures above 86 degrees.

Evilution has a "rest of world" chart for reference: Evilution - Smart Car Encyclopaedia

Now I am getting even more confused (between jwights chart & evilutions chart) LoL! Because if I can use a 5w-30 or even a 10w-40 then I can get those for a much lower price then do the change @ every 5,000 and be fine with that...BUT now what about semi-synthetics? I ask this simply for the reason that my local shop does a semi-synthetic 5w-30 oil change for $9.99! Now, I am not trying to be "cheap" (as I don't mind paying for confidence,safety and security) but since I will be doing a minimum of 500+ miles a week my oil change schedule will be a lot more often than most and being frugal/economical in these times is not the same as being "cheap".

 

[Oner001]

10W40 will be just as good as 0W40 as far as engine wear goes (at least in your climate), but if you use the 10W then your fuel economy will really suffer until the engine gets warmed up. Much more of an issue if you make lots of short trips, as opposed to fewer longer ones.

I'd still stay away from 5W30, but it's your car.

I'd also stay away from semi-synth, but I'm not nearly as opinionated on that as viscosity. Chances are you'd never know the difference for using it... it'd just be more wear of the gradual sort.

The fuel economy when "cold" per se shouldn't be that much of an issue since it is always hot down here, thus between the intake air temp being hotter and the ambeint temp of the block being warmer (because the car sits in the sun all the time) I think 10w-40 would be the greatest compromise and effectiveness in my sitaution as it will get to operating temperature quickly. So I believe I can get a less expensive (but still quality synthetic oil) and do them myself easily/quickly at a 5k interval for my peace of mind!

I have to say Thank You to all who have offered their help, comments, insight and info about this. It is GREATLY appreciated!

 

[Oner001]

How about 5W40 instead of 10W40?

That's also a possibility, just have to wait 'till I get home to do some price searching/comparisons.

 

[Oner001]

Looks like I will be almost definitely using this ~ Shell Rotella Full Syn 5w-40 @ $22 a Gal...now for oil filter options :wink: