WheelhorseBob 1,549 #1 Posted November 14, 2020 Ok get out your popcorn 🍿! I really like discussions about what oil people prefer and why. Me personally, I run Pennzoil platinum in the F-250, Mobil 1 European in the wife’s German auto, Lucas classic car in the classic British car and Redline in the Harley. As for small engines I’m currently running 10-30 Kohler semi synthetic oil from TSC and 10-30 Amsoil small engine. Anyone care to argue for straight weight oil? As I understand viscosity, 30 weight oil is the same through out temp ranges. 10w30 is 10 weight at start and 30 weight at operational temps. Seems like a no brainer but I’ve been accused of that before. Ok, this should be a fun discussion, no wrong answers! I’ll now sit with my popcorn. Btw, my name is BOB if you get it! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,396 #2 Posted November 14, 2020 since your in a colder winter state a multi viscosity 10w30 would make good sense to me. In warmer Texas I run 10w30 Mobile 1 in my better engine tractor. I've got some very tired engines that I run 30 or 40 weight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 66,573 #3 Posted November 14, 2020 We run Straight 30 in the summer and 10w30 in the cold season. I switched to Kinetix brand a year or so ago. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,245 #4 Posted November 14, 2020 Multi-weight oil was always thought to be inferior due to the modifiers used to accomplish the required viscosity. The advantage is only the fact that temperature may vary too much and it is not practical to be constantly changing oil to accommodate. Follow the manufactures recommendations on viscosity, if straight weight is on the list and covers your expected temperatures, use it. I think you are doing the correct thing with the Kohler oil with better anti-wear than SN and it is available in straight weight and multi-viscosity. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelhorseBob 1,549 #5 Posted November 14, 2020 2 minutes ago, lynnmor said: Multi-weight oil was always thought to be inferior due to the modifiers used to accomplish the required viscosity. The advantage is only the fact that temperature may vary too much and it is not practical to be constantly changing oil to accommodate. Follow the manufactures recommendations on viscosity, if straight weight is on the list and covers your expected temperatures, use it. I think you are doing the correct thing with the Kohler oil with better anti-wear than SN and it is available in straight weight and multi-viscosity. Great point, most straight weight oils are now SN. IMHO they do not have enough zinc. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelhorseBob 1,549 #6 Posted November 14, 2020 5 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: We run Straight 30 in the summer and 10w30 in the cold season. I switched to Kinetix brand a year or so ago. kinetix? Do tell, never heard of it. Wait is it a Maine thing? Like potato oil or something? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 66,573 #7 Posted November 14, 2020 30 minutes ago, WheelhorseBob said: kinetix? Do tell, never heard of it. Wait is it a Maine thing? Like potato oil or something? No sir. It was at the place I bought a chainsaw. Specifically formulated for small engines. Decent zinc phosphate content. Price is also excellent. Right in line with other oils. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelhorseBob 1,549 #8 Posted November 14, 2020 8 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: No sir. It was at the place I bought a chainsaw. Specifically formulated for small engines. Decent zinc phosphate content. Price is also excellent. Right in line with other oils. Interesting, I'll have to look into it. Wish I knew you needed a saw, I rebuild pro saws. Currently have a couple 372's and 357 big bore. Ok back on track oil! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelhorseBob 1,549 #9 Posted November 14, 2020 12 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: No sir. It was at the place I bought a chainsaw. Specifically formulated for small engines. Decent zinc phosphate content. Price is also excellent. Right in line with other oils. Btw, a couple of my best friends are from the County. I have no shortage of potato jokes....... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 66,573 #10 Posted November 14, 2020 21 minutes ago, WheelhorseBob said: Btw, a couple of my best friends are from the County. I have no shortage of potato jokes....... Bring em on. 24 minutes ago, WheelhorseBob said: , I rebuild pro saws I'll try to remember that!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 40,734 #11 Posted November 14, 2020 30W Rotella year round 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,460 #12 Posted November 14, 2020 WHEELHORSEBOB, really like the rotella 30 wt , something i tried a while ago was the RISLONE ZINC ADDITIVE ,https://www.amazon.com/Rislone-4405-Supplement-Concentrate-Treatment/dp/B0075559UY/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnb79BRDgARIsAOVbhRpD_KLHTC2d1OpLl9DJS6AGMAGR4wlZpGPRKpRGgSm-XdUJppPx61EaAl8CEALw_wcB&hvadid=323447289259&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9003310&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=17304932886453211661&hvtargid=kwd-301586437419&hydadcr=6364_9585392&keywords=rislone+oil&qid=1605361769&sr=8-2&tag=googhydr-20, add a couple of ounces to each oil change , and the difference in smoother/ easier operational running is amazing . you will notice its easier running, amazon has the best price and delivery . being a lubrication nut , I am always tweaking movement areas to make things last, that's another story , pete 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 2,963 #13 Posted November 14, 2020 Down here, Northwest Florida, Rotella 40wt, the average temp year round is around 73 degrees. I have cut grass many time in 99+ degrees, if it gets below 38 degrees I tend to stay inside . 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,245 #14 Posted November 14, 2020 12 hours ago, WheelhorseBob said: Great point, most straight weight oils are now SN. IMHO they do not have enough zinc. That is why I use the Kohler oil, if folks would just look at the labels they would see that Kohler and Kinetix do not have the SN designation and have the anti-wear additives that your government wants removed. You can add Rislone or other additives, just know that too much or too little is harmful, I would rather buy oil made to work without doctoring it up. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,333 #15 Posted November 14, 2020 3 hours ago, clueless said: below 38 degrees I tend to stay inside What ???!!! that's perfect working weather outside for me with a T-shirt and shorts !! No more information than that!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #16 Posted November 15, 2020 23 hours ago, lynnmor said: Multi-weight oil was always thought to be inferior due to the modifiers used to accomplish the required viscosity. this was especially true back in the day with multi-grade conventional oil - after extended use apparently not as much an issue now with synthetic oils - if it still is an issue Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #17 Posted November 15, 2020 Valvoline VR1 Racing oil - both the conventional and synthetic blend - have a higher amount of ZDDP (zinc, phosphorus, etc) ( VR1 is also available in 20w50 ) Advance Auto parts near me has this oil in stock I've been tempted to use this oil - but recently been using 5w30 Quaker State Ultimate Durability (full synthetic) after using Mobil 1 almost exclusively since the late 1980's ( back then few if any motor oils were at the level of the original Mobil 1 ) Quaker State Ultimate Durability has tested well and is around $19 for a 5 quart container at Walmart 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,245 #18 Posted November 15, 2020 17 minutes ago, tom2p said: this was especially true back in the day with multi-grade conventional oil - after extended use apparently not as much an issue now with synthetic oils - if it still is an issue Can you direct me to a full synthetic 10W-30 that is not rated SN? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #19 Posted November 15, 2020 (edited) 24 minutes ago, lynnmor said: Can you direct me to a full synthetic 10W-30 that is not rated SN? good question few - if any - probably exist ? (unfortunately) possibly Valvoline VR1 synthetic ? (not sure of the API certification - see pictures below) or possibly small engine or racing oil from Amsoil ... or Lucas ? Edited November 15, 2020 by tom2p 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greentored 3,201 #20 Posted November 17, 2020 On 11/14/2020 at 9:04 PM, tom2p said: good question few - if any - probably exist ? (unfortunately) possibly Valvoline VR1 synthetic ? (not sure of the API certification - see pictures below) or possibly small engine or racing oil from Amsoil ... or Lucas ? Just happened to have a couple cases in the shop as its what I run in my 66 olds (650hp big block chevy). Says "exceeds API service SL and all proceeding". Aside from the synthetic in the 66, if its a flat tappet cam and/or an older engine, VR1 non synthetic goes in every single one, from my customers classic vehicles to my own, including the '53 Harley and the Horses. When it comes to 90% of engines out there, the following applies: Pick your favorite oil, keep it full, keep it changed, you'll be fine. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seven 202 #21 Posted November 17, 2020 What about 30 wt non detergent I heard engines without oil filters this is what they used to use. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 66,573 #22 Posted November 17, 2020 13 minutes ago, seven said: What about 30 wt non detergent I heard engines without oil filters this is what they used to use. That's something that used to happen and believe it or not it changed years ago. Single cylinder Kohler engines are using Straight 30 detergent oil above 32°, and 10w30 detergent oil from roughly 40°, or so and lower. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oilwell1415 563 #23 Posted November 17, 2020 On 11/14/2020 at 7:40 PM, lynnmor said: Can you direct me to a full synthetic 10W-30 that is not rated SN? Be careful with that. Just because it isn't rated SN doesn't mean is isn't formulated to that spec. Some of the best oils available aren't rated because the company doesn't want to go to the expense of getting a low volume oil certified. The only reason Amsoil bothers to certify any of their oils is so they can be used in new vehicles without causing warranty problems. Instead of looking at the rating, or lack of, look at the additive package and intended use of the oil. 7 hours ago, Greentored said: When it comes to 90% of engines out there, the following applies: Pick your favorite oil, keep it full, keep it changed, you'll be fine. ^^^^That's exactly right. I may even up the percentage. Oils are so good today that it really doesn't matter as long as you use a viscosity that can be splashed, slung, pumped, etc. to the places it needs to be. As for what I use, my old truck that I drive every day rolled over 498k miles on my way to work this morning. It gets the cheapest 20w50 I can find for it. That's typically Castrol GTX lately, but sometimes I find other things. All of our other vehicles get Amsoil Signature Series. My new F-150 gets it in 5w20. The Jeep, SS and Lightning get 5w30. Our SeaDoo gets Amsoil Injector 2 stroke oil. My Continental IO-470 gets AeroShell 100W straight 50 weight, which I mention here only because I think it would make a great tractor oil in a lighter viscosity. I plan to do Amsoil in my WH as well. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greentored 3,201 #24 Posted November 18, 2020 ....and once again- this is why I love this place! This is THE ONLY site I have EVER been a member of, where an oil debate thread doesn't turn into a war, period. You guys rock!!! 2 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Charbs152 254 #25 Posted November 18, 2020 (edited) i have a 18hp briggs opposed twin in my C-175 that i just got. i put mobil 1 5w-30 with ZDDP additive for winter but will probably run straight 30w or 40w in the summer with ZDDP depending on brand. idk my KLR650 and TW200 motorcycles get a synthetic multi grade 50w motorcycle oil Edited November 18, 2020 by Charbs152 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites