15W-50 Mobil 1 oil in sub-zero conditions

tight as a bull's ass · tight as a bull's ass's Garage

Cold Start Problem - Fires up then dies....

Concerning the cold start problem I am still having.

I was reading my manual and noticed the "oil" page....the 15W-50 doesnt seem to go all the way down to 0 and sub-zero temps.

Am I using the wrong type of oil for my engine during these extreme cold temps?
I'm wondering if this has anything to do with my cold start problem.

TimT · 02-17-2003, 08:55 AM

I think MOBIL 1 is made in a 0W-30 weight. That would be the ticket for cold weather oil.

KTL · 02-17-2003, 08:59 AM

I can't say if the oil is the definite cause of the problem.

I will agree that a change in oil viscosity should be considered in the cold months.

During the warm months, I use 20W50 regular oil in my turbo 4cyl. Eclipse. In the cold months, use of this oil would make the car crank noticeably slower (I thought I had a weak battery at first). After changing the oil to 10W30 Mobil 1 the car cranks much more easily nowadays.

So, I think the oil could be a contributing factor. But for your car to have idling issues for 10 min. means it's more than oil. The oil warms up and begins to flow better much sooner than 10 min.

old_skul · 02-17-2003, 09:00 AM

I'm using 20W-50 Mobil 1 in subzero (occasionally) temps. I've had no problems outside of slow starts. Once the engine has has a chance to turn over a few times, though, it's fine and starts right up.

Zendalar · 02-17-2003, 09:59 AM

Heh....20W-50, we had these -30 celsius degrees a while ago, and i checked how the oil was...I had one spare canister in trunk of my other car...well, the oil did not come out of the canister, it was thicker than vaseline.

Gunter · Gunter's Garage

I think 15W50 is too thick for below 0. I run 15W40 all summer here in B.C. Around 0 or below, I would run 10W40. In southern Cal, I would go with 20W50. Do your 911 a favor and try 10W40.

Schuey · 02-17-2003, 10:20 AM

too thick, use 0-30w

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

I don't think that the 0W stuff is recommended for anything older than the 1984 3.2 cars...please be careful, new engines are expensive..

reed930 · 02-17-2003, 12:41 PM

Mobil 1 comes in a 0W-40 weight and that is what I use for my car year round.

thabaer · thabaer's Garage

I run 15-50 M1 year round and it started just fine a few weeks ago when it was -29C/-20F

tight as a bull's ass · tight as a bull's ass's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by thabaer
I run 15-50 M1 year round and it started just fine a few weeks ago when it was -29C/-20F

was your car indoors or outdoors overnight during that -20 F ??

thabaer · thabaer's Garage

It spent the night in my dirt driveway where I have dreams of building a big enclosed playpen!

jmohn · jmohn's Garage

Just my opinion, but I think it would be advisable to follow (as closely as possible) the viscosity recommendations in the manual. IMHO(and according to my manual), 20-w50 is too thick for temperatures below five degrees (F).

Jerry M
'78 SC

thabaer · thabaer's Garage

In the posting I had to find to confirm the temps, I had also mentioned that many others were finding the same results after years and many miles on high-stressed turbo engines.

My intent here was to indicate the 15W50 Mobil 1 did not give me any cranking problems (the question at hand) in temps colder than TAABA is experiencing.

BTW: My battery is a less than one year old red top Optima.

john70t · 02-17-2003, 07:19 PM

I think that tests have shown that 75% of engine wear and tear are from start-up when the cams/bearings/rings dont have any lube film on them except residue.
This is especially bad for the unfortunate (like me) who have internally leaking carburators that washes the film off.
Ford has a cool trick in their trucks in that they run the ignition ground through an oil presure switch. It cranks until there's enough pressure to fire.