what oil weight should i be running?

**staubach333** · 01-21-2009 05:50 PM

i have run mobil 1 0w-40 for three years. i just had my timing belt done as well as a bunch of gaskets, and the mechanic said in my year the AHA 2.8 should be running 20w-50 so that is doesnt leak as much? even though all the gaskets are good now he suggests that weight...isnt that too thick?

**Stone825** · 01-21-2009 05:56 PM

What kind of weather are you in?

The three most common I've seen...
0W-40
5W-30
10W-40

or any combo of these.

Use the search feature next time but I think 20W-50 is a little much.

Just looked at your location and in the winter you should be running 0W-X or 5W-X because of the cold.

**B6JoeS4** · 01-21-2009 05:58 PM

0-40 in the winter and 5-40 in the summer. i use mobil one european car formula

**asalviob5laser** · 01-21-2009 06:04 PM

i work at audi of westwood in massachusets the only oil we put into any car is mobil 1 0w-40. it is the most advanced oil on the market i have also been using it in my truck for a few years now. the truck was origionally recomended for 5w-30 i have yet to see any issue from the change in oil weight. if anything it runs better. so if you wanna spend a few extra dollars on your car put it in if your not comfortable use mobil 5000 5w-20

**JaVa** · 01-21-2009 06:26 PM

SEARCH!!!! its been covered over and over. but i run amsoil 5w40

**staubach333** · 01-21-2009 10:00 PM

please relax with the search thing. im not really asking what oil to run, i know it should be lightweight thats why i use 0w-40. it just seems weird that this guy who knows german cars would tell me to use 20w-50...when nobody runs that weight. he said quote unquote that the aha motors require 20w-50 and the atq motors require 5w-40. has anybody ever heard this before?

**oldblu** · 01-21-2009 11:41 PM

the dealer had written on my manual 5-40 and I have the ATQ. Hope that helps or leads you the right way

**JaVa** · 01-21-2009 11:43 PM

i wouldnt run 20w50 unless it was really hot out.

**Kronic Budz** · 01-22-2009 02:00 AM

Originally Posted by JaVa

i wouldnt run 20w50 unless it was really hot out.

yea i wouldn't run that... EVER, way to thick IMO, have fun starting your car in really cold weather. haha

i would stick to 0w-40 unless your car tends to burn oil. If so I would jump up to a little thicker oil 10w40. 5w40 is great too but very rare. I dont trust 5w30 or 10w30 becuase of higher heat/temperature wear the engine could be exposed to.

I would stick to 0w-40 or 10w-40. Cant go wrong. anyone disagree?

**burner799** · 01-22-2009 02:23 AM

Originally Posted by JaVa

i wouldnt run 20w50 unless it was really hot out.

bmw M models run similiar. forgot exactly what it was 20w60 maybe? We always had cases of it at the dealership. It helps on higher mileage vehicles though. lower weight oil is better for us turbo guys. High mileage v6 wouldn't hurt too bad from a bit heavier oil.

**Subaru71** · 01-22-2009 02:50 AM

20w50 may be a little thick for cold starts... On european cars, I wouldn't change oil viscosity because of engine age.. I think they are made to run the recommended viscosity the entire life of the engine...

**Squarrl** · 01-22-2009 04:05 AM

Originally Posted by burner799

bmw M models run similiar. forgot exactly what it was 20w60 maybe? We always had cases of it at the dealership. It helps on higher mileage vehicles though. lower weight oil is better for us turbo guys. High mileage v6 wouldn't hurt too bad from a bit heavier oil.

Castrol TWS 10W-60 at $15 / L its kinda pricey.

the best oil I have found is Total/ELF 5W-40 but really as long as its VW 502 or VW 503 you are good.