I was noticing and wondering why it is that even though my manual on both my truck and my car recommend 5w-30 the dealers(toyota and saturn) put 10w-30 in it if you go in for a dealer oil change. Just wond ering what the deal is.

 

They probably buy 10w30 because it is more of a universal oil. The old and new cars can use this oil and when buying in bulk, it is cheaper to buy one weight of oil.

That was the case with Firestone service centers when I worked there.

 

The 5w30 flows a little better when cold. It wouldn't bother me to use either one in my vehicle.

 

Well, I was just curious. I know the 5w-30 flows better on colder morings but what I've seen from SOME of the oil analysis reports over at the oil guy place is that 10w-30 has a little higher flashpoint and some vehicles actually wear less with 10w in. Thats why I was wondering why dealers stocked 10w, but the cost idea sounds right on.

 

its the cost.... also 10-30 is more universal... i work at a Wheel Works and all of the Wheel Works stores have 10w30 Kendall GT1 oil.... if you come in for an oil change and want something else, we can get it for you....

 

Firestone uses Kendall also. If they wanted something else, I had to run across the street to the Autozone and pick it up.. :pat:

 

What was the markup on that??

 

Depends.

Their regular oil changes were $9.99 (in 1999)
If it was just another dino oil with a Firestone filter, I think it was around $19.99

If we did a syn oil change, it was $29.99