Using oil at 15K miles

Ive been using Mobil 1 5w-30 and I have 180K. One time had to take the truck in for a major service and I asked the dealer to use synthetic.

They asked if 5-30 was ok. I said that's in the manual, so that's what I would expect they use. I was told that they use 0-30 for Dino oil and 5-30 on synthetic.

 

Yeah, that's probably best. If I lived in Prudhoe Bay or someplace like that I might go thinner, but I think 5w will be the pick for here and now.

 

Having a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek they suggest 0-20w, but if it has turbo they suggest 5-30w. I have hard time believing 0-20w does a good job protecting the motor. So I stick with a 5-30w synthetic motor oil.

 

Manual has a statement on acceptable oil usage and you are well within it. So you will not get far with warranty. Like someone else said do it yourself. These motors have a 5.5 quart capacity. Maybe they are only putting in 5.

 

This is what I'm trying to understand.
5W-30 and 0W-30 have the exact same viscosity at operating temp. The 0W-30 has a lower viscosity at lower temps. I'm trying to figure out if running 0W-30 would be more optimal then. I would also like to hear from others on their opinions on that.

Just because it's in the manual, doesn't mean it's the best. The manual also says to change your spark plugs every 30K, I certainly hope not everyone follows that recommendation. Total waste of good parts and we've got people filling up landfills with more spark plugs now.
I find manuals put in recommendations that are advantageous economically for a major company/car maker and in some ways are no less biased than an outside source.
I would say it's better to educate yourself rather than just to assume the manual is the best option. Just me though.

 

Check it the morning after an oil change before it has been run. Take it back if too full or if more than 1/4" below full.

Another thing, check air pressure at the same time, some service people aren't good about it. If tire is warm during service, some might adjust pressure, and the next morning (tire cold) could be low. Alternative, tell them to set them 3-4 pounds above door sticker, adjust it yourself the next morning.

 

Would be curious to know who makes 0W-30 dino oil?

 

I don't know. Maybe when you buy it by the barrel you can get what you want.

 

Had a old mower was burning oil (smoking), replaced it with synthetic. It never did burn oil for two more years, I'll never buy regular motor oil again!

 

From what I've turned up using google and relying on numerous trips to many different parts places, I've never seen dino 0W-30. There is some talk on the web about synthetic-blend 0w-30. But not too much. I found some 0W-20 synthetic-blend from Phillips Trop-Artic, but that oil is not common in all areas. Maybe someone can post the name of a mfg. of dino 0W-30.

 

I also wouldn't be surprised if the guy didn't know what he was talking about. It wouldn't be the first time the dealer fed me a line of BS.

 

Or he was confused. Maybe he meant to say they use 5w-30 dino or 0w-30 synt, or maybe he heard somebody else at the dealership say that and mixed it up himself.

Seems like when I was choosing oil for my matrix my mechanic said something like 'go 0w-20 if you're getting synthetic' even though in the manual it said 5w-20.

But yeah, I've never seen or heard of 0w dinosaur juice.

 

Google the question!