oilman

dAt this time of year, it’s beneficial to use an oil that has good cold start flow properties as it will get to the parts of the engine that need it far more quickly when you turn the key on those sub zero mornings.

The "w" number which means winter is the key here and the lower it is the better cold start performance the oil will have.

A 15w or 20w rated oil will struggle to get around the engine in very cold temps and we would strongly recommend using a 10w, 5w or 0w for better cold start performance.

It is a fact that around 90% of all engine wear occurs on cold start because the oil is at its thickest. The colder it gets the thicker the oil becomes and this affects the rate of flow which affects the rate of wear.

These numbers help to explain the oils thickness and therefore cold flow performance at various temperatures.

Grade.................At 0C.................At 10C..............At 100C

0W/20.............328.6cSt...............180.8cSt.... ........9cSt

5W/40.............811.4cSt...............421.4cSt.... ........14cSt

10W/50............1039cSt...............538.9cSt...... ......18cSt

15W/50.............1376cSt..............674.7cSt...... ......18cSt

20W/50.............2305cSt...............1015cSt...... ......18cSt

Centistokes (cst) is the measure of a fluid's resistance to flow (viscosity). It is calculated in terms of the time required for a standard quantity of fluid at a certain temperature to flow through a standard orifice. The higher the value, the thicker the oil.

Winters in the UK are fortunately not too cold but, below zero temperatures are regular features in some parts of the country.

Compare the thickness of the oil at 0degC and 100degC and you will see the big difference.

Just something to consider on those frosty mornings.

The Opieoils Team.

chaffe

the perkins engined generator at work, is worked hard 12 hours a day for the last 2 years, it uses a 15w40 oil, every morning it starts up and goes straight to work from cold. Sometimes in minus 5 conditions.

ajamesc

A perkins engine will not have the same fine tolerances as high performance/modern car engine lol. And even cummins/daf use a 10w oil

chaffe

the big ends and mains are all the same fine tolerances for sure, the bores are too, what parts will not be the same fine tolerances?

ajamesc

lol what other than hydraulic followers a perkins will be ohv with rockers for a start. and being a truck / agricultural / marine / static engine it will be built to last in hard environments also the parts inside that are stronger and over engineered compared to modern stuff! have u ever been inside an engine like that oil ways do not have the same fine tolerances iver

chaffe

ill put one in my sierra then lol, you should see the turbo on it OMFG it is massive!

ajamesc

ha ha might be good for towing but then haveing seen this merc with a scania engine in it who nos lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24afjVqm2Uw

phil_focus

WOW thats a massive difference between a 0w and 5w at 0C compared to a 5w and 10w!!!!

oilman

Puts it in perspective a bit doesnt it.

And the link to that Merc with the SCANIA engine, I want one!

phil_focus

yeah it does. makes me wonder if i should be running 0w30 in my 2l zetec (black top) instead of 5w30.

is that a good idea oilman? only mods to it are bolt on full zorst system and pannel filter with uprated cold air feed.

would it be ok to run a 0w30 all year round? i would assume so as the hot running is the same but then i do say assumption is the mother of all fuckups

oilman

Assumption can be, but you're right in this case. 0w-30 will flow a little better from cold and give slightly better protection.

Cheers

Tim

phil_focus

cheers oilman, much apreciated 8)

chaffe

its sideways lol another thread for that though

phil_focus

fuck me i've had it like that for ages and never even noticed.

complete FAIL my way

chaffe

lol pmsl