Does everyone use the recommended 10W30 in their stock 3.0s? Reason I ask is I've been tempted to go 20W50 but have held off opting for the recommended weight instead.

 

Here at work we had engine failures (on chrysler prods) because we were using 15w-40 instead of 5w-30. Close tolerance engines and slow moving cold thick oil is what we were told. No failures after changing to correct oil.

 

I use 10w40 in mine, I wouldn't use 20w50 unless it was REALLY hot... a 15w40 diesel oil like delo 400 will clean better, I may use that next summer.

 

Also 10W40, it seems to give slightly higher pressure when the engine is hot, and doesn't disappear as fast.

 

I use Valvoline 10 - 40 most of the year and in summer I switch to 20 - 50,
I have no problems. I got 300,000 on her! Rebuilt at 297,000! The same thing for my '88 3.0, 175,000 before I sold her and I still see it around going strong!!


* Harry *

 

I'm running amsoil 10-30.

 

I'm thinking about going a bit thinner, like 20w30, just because of the cold winters. I'm already feeling the oil thicken a bit when I start up.

 

Wow thanks for all the answers guys! does all seems to be operating temp and outside air temp that make the dif. Not sure if I need (or want) to switch while in good old SoCal but maybe for Kirkwood or Death Valley conditions...Just want this engine to last as long as the original...Either way it's definitely every 3,000 or so on the changes! hehehe


Dang Nunsa 300k is nothing to sneeze at! I'm at about 190k...still a youngster.

 

I used 10W40 in my '90 from the start, sold it with 205,000 and the last time my pal mentioned it, the truck had over 260,000 on it. I never had to open the engine except for the head gasket recall and timing belts every 60-90k. Although I live in PA where the winter nights can get darned cold, I had the truck garaged.

 

Stick with the 10w30.....I add about a half quart of 15w50 M1 to the 10w30 to thicken it slightly.

 

I change with the seasons....Go with Mobile1 10w30 in the winter and 10w40 in the summer.

 

I'm running 10W-40 in mine. I was running 10W-30, but I was advised to change...

 

Yeah even though the 3.0 is considered unerpowered by some (I say...meh...adequate...it has it's ups and downs...ok) it is finely balanced. May go for Amsoil on my next change i guess or at least a really good synthetic.

 

10w-30 winter, 10w-40 summer

Went over 280,000 miles before the head gasket went.

I've tried 20w-50 on the original engine towards the end of its life. At first it seemed sluggish but afterwards the engine seemed to run better with it.

 

I go 5W-30 all year round.

 

It's been awhile since I had a 2nd gen, but isn't 5W-30 awfully thin for the 3.0? I wouldn't have guessed that the owner's manual says that it's ok to use 5W-30...

 

I've been using Mobil 1 10W-30 since I've had the truck and it seems to disappear pretty quickly, I'm thinking of switching to 10w-40 but winter is almost here and I may just be better off sticking with the 10W-30.

Just my .02 cents as usual,

Fink

 

hey Fink, if I were you I'd try M1 5w40, my engine does good on a 40 weight and the 5w would flow great for winter.. prolly wouldn't use as much oil either.

 

I don't think 5W30 is any thinner than 10W30 when the engines warm.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys!

Marc you did your AC yourself? I need to replace my compressor, evac the system and refill...How did you accomplish the evacuation rent the equipment? Course it's a R-12 system so I'd have to goto the dealer for the refill i guess...