Brad Penn 15w-40 oil ok for a 3.2?

[rwilner]

Wow, lots of engine oil threads on this site. I read a bunch and couldn't find an answer so thought i'd ask.

I have a bunch of Brad Penn 15w40 left over and my car needs an oil change. It's an 84 3.2. I live in the Boston area, the car will see temps ranging from 20F in November / December (before snow and salt) to 90F+ in the summertime.

I know the recommended weight is 20w-50, but is it ok to go with 15w-40? Anyone running Brad Penn 15w-40?

Thanks and I apologize in advance if this question has been answered someplace else.

Rich

[wrinkledpants]

Good for the winter. Not the best for the summer. Sure, you can run it, but it's not the ideal weight. I run that oil in the winter, and BP 20W-50 in the summer.

[petrolblue83911]

Rich,

Also in Boston- and about to do my spring oil change, also BP- in my 86 3.2

I run 15-40 at times, never an issue for me, but in the peak summer, I've always used 15-50 for lower temps.

I have 15-40 in my car now, and have been driving it to work all week this week. temps never get above the lowest mark on the gauge.

Hey- let's get an East Coast/MA get together some time soon!

Adam

[rwilner]

Originally Posted by petrolblue83911

Rich,

Also in Boston- and about to do my spring oil change, also BP- in my 86 3.2

I run 15-40 at times, never an issue for me, but in the peak summer, I've always used 15-50 for lower temps.

I have 15-40 in my car now, and have been driving it to work all week this week. temps never get above the lowest mark on the gauge.

Hey- let's get an East Coast/MA get together some time soon!

Adam

Sounds good Adam. The NER PCA is hosting a new members get together at herb chambers this weekend on sunday...I think I'm going to go...are you interested?

The 911 won't be making an appearance yet. I have a date with Jerry at EPE for a 4 wheel alignment / corner balance next thursday (a week from tomorrow), and then i'm good for the season.

I think i'm going to use up the 6 quarts of 15w40 on the shelf and top it off with 20w50 -- just bought a case.

(did I just hijack my own thread?)

[petrolblue83911]

Rich,

Sounds like a good way to go on the 15-40
Jerry is great- I lived around the corner from his shop in Natick for a long time.

I'll try to make the event-which of the dealerships is it at?

[rokemester]

I do not recommend that you mix engine oil and viscosity grades. You can never be certain that the fluids are compatible. Might be OK, you just don't know.

[rwilner]

I was wrong, just checked my email...It's at Ira Porsche in Danvers, 97 Andover St, Danvers, MA 01923, not herb chambers.

I'm in Needham, so Jerry's maybe a 15 minute ride west of me, Ira is maybe a 1/2 hr up 93.

PM me your email and I'll forward you the invite. Would be great to meet a local Pelican!

[rwilner]

Originally Posted by rokemester

I do not recommend that you mix engine oil and viscosity grades. You can never be certain that the fluids are compatible. Might be OK, you just don't know.

It's got Brad Penn 20w50 in there now, so mixing oil chemistries is not a concern. The Porsche manual says mixing grades is A-OK -- something that's unavoidable if you're using a single weight oil anyway since you never get all the old oil out.

[CorsePerVita]

I run 20-50 in my car most of the time. If I recall, 20w50 protects well till 0F which is where it is recommended to switch oils. However, that's the recommended "limit"... so I'd say probably safer to switch when temps start dipping down near 10F or so. If you're in alaska or somewhere in which the weather is wild and has crazy below 0 temps, then definitely time to switch oils.

A local shop here recommends 15w40 all year around for the 911 but it made me gag, I run 20w50 in all of my Porsche cars unless it's winter time.

[dshepp806]

20W50 BP here,..although I did make the call last year to drop down to 15W40 for the winter. I think there are no problems with doing this.

BEST!

Doyle

[Hydrocket]

Originally Posted by wrinkledpants

Good for the winter. Not the best for the summer. Sure, you can run it, but it's not the ideal weight. I run that oil in the winter, and BP 20W-50 in the summer.

Ideal according to whom?

According to Porsche, it's fine. Here's a scan from the owner's manual. Doesn't Porsche even recommend 5W40 synthetic for our cars now? (As long as it meets the A40 requirements?)

[Storage Man]

15W-40 / 15W-50 can be used all seasons here in the northeast.

[Arne2]

I run 15W-40 Brad Penn year 'round in Western Oregon, per the chart in the manuals.

[yellowperil]

I'm no expert, but I run 15/40 swepco year round in my '86 911. It looked to me in the owners manual to be a middle of the temp chart weight. Works fine for me.