Difference between SAE 30 or 10w30 oil?

[Black Cloud]

Ok, I'm getting ready to do my spring tune ups on the riding tractor and lawnmower. What is the difference between SAE 30 oil over any other type of motor oil. It seems the SAE 30 sells for sometimes $1. 00 or more over the price of regular motor oil.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

SAE 30 oil stays at pretty much the same viscosity all the time... .

10W-30 is supposed to be less viscous when it is cold and then become more viscous as it warms up.



Matt

 

[TowPro]

Plus from what I understand, 10w30 is really 10 weight with additives to make it get stiff when hot so it acts like 30 weight, where 30 weight is 30 weight all the time.



Now if I could just convince Ford to let me run 5w30 in my wifes Excape instead of 5w20. Amsoil don't make a Group 4 5w20, its Group 3 (not synethic, but good enough to call it that).

Originally posted by HoleshotHolset

SAE 30 oil stays at pretty much the same viscosity all the time... .

10W-30 is supposed to be less viscous when it is cold and then become more viscous as it warms up.



Matt

 

[nickleinonen]

over on some other forums and newsgroups, there are many that run 5w30 in those escapes/tributes...

 

[jwinnie]

turbodiesel_ram,

Most likely the price difference comes from lower production (less demand) for the SAE30 oil.



Depending on the age of your engines (not sure about the newer engines), the manufacturer might recommend A Non Detergent oil. Non detergent oil is used on splash lubricated engines (no oil pump/filter) because the trash in the oil will settle out. Detergent additives are used to keep the bad stuff suspended in the oil so it can be picked up by a filter.



Now my 30yr old 5 hp Snapper is my garbage disposal, it gets whatever oil is hanging around the garage. 5w30, 10w30, 10w40, you name it, it's been run through that motor. She runs like a top, doesn't burn oil, doesn't smoke, go figure .



Best of luck,



John

 

[Black Cloud]

Went to Wal Mart and grabbed some Valvoline SAE 30, should work just the same. I'm trying to remember last year what I used at start up. It does say in the manual in cooler temps to use 5W30 so I cant possibly see what a big difference it would really make. Thanks for the input gang.

 

[Sled Puller]

Originally posted by TowPro



Now if I could just convince Ford to let me run 5w30 in my wifes Excape instead of 5w20. Amsoil don't make a Group 4 5w20, its Group 3 (not synethic, but good enough to call it that).

Run The 0W-30, forget that 5W-20 stuff. I'm just a rebel.

 

[bmoeller]

We just use the same Farmland/Cenex 15-40 that gets used in the diesel farm equipment. No problems so far.

 

[TowPro]

I have been running the 5w30 Amsoil, but then at 30,000 miles it started a valve tap. Hate to have the dealer say "its the oil". I have read several accounts where people had the same problem with there excapes right around 30K, then ford puts a new motor in to fix the problem!

Originally posted by Sled Puller

Run The 0W-30, forget that 5W-20 stuff. I'm just a rebel.