5w30 vs. 10w30

[94EXPLODER]

My truck seems to run better with 10w30 than 5w30..anyone else experience this....plus the valves click with 5w30 and not with 10w30...

 

[KELLY88]

10W-30 always worked best for my engine. Typically the optimum viscosity of oil depends on the temperature. Strange that up in Michigan you're engine runs better with a heavier oil. But if it works then don't mess with it I suppose.

 

[exbass94]

Oh crap, not another oil thread. I've used both 5w and 10w30 in my Explorer. I prefer 5w30 because it flows better in cold weather, and it's just fine for hot weather too, so I just don't really see a point for 10w30. I haven't noticed a real perceivable difference between the two though. Although I may have noticed slightly better acceleration with 5w30, it may have just been a placebo effect. No unusual noises with either. On my Ranger, I run 0w30. Awesome flow in cold weather, and noticable acceleration difference.

 

[94EXPLODER]

yea its been cold up here for a while ( below 20 degrees for pry a month straight)...i had the oil change done at the dealership and they put in 5w30 since then, my valves or lifters have been clicking...but when idling and standing outside the truck i dont hear anything, perfectly quiet....was wondering could a bad pulley make the same noise as clicking lifters?
Nick

 

[94EXPLODER]

oh gas mileage improved also...usually does after an oil change...just something to throw in there..

 

[jasonl]

Any oil test I've ever read suggest that only in extreme situations like overheating does 10w-30 provide any benefit over 5w-30 and even then it's probably not enough to make a differance. On the other hand in zero degree temps the 5w-30 is far superior in it's cold flow to protect from damage. With all that said if 10w-30 kept my rig from "ticking" that's what I would run unless it was always below zero where I lived. On cold mornings just give it a minute or two for the oil to warm slighlty. I am by no means an oil viscosity expert, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express.

 

[94EXPLODER]

haha..yea the oil gauge is reading in the middle of low and high which is perfect but could it be my lifters going bad??..havent really heard that happening with the 4.0s...2.9s yes...i know from experience

 

[z3ro]

Oh crap, not another oil thread. I've used both 5w and 10w30 in my Explorer. I prefer 5w30 because it flows better in cold weather, and it's just fine for hot weather too, so I just don't really see a point for 10w30. I haven't noticed a real perceivable difference between the two though. Although I may have noticed slightly better acceleration with 5w30, it may have just been a placebo effect. No unusual noises with either. On my Ranger, I run 0w30. Awesome flow in cold weather, and noticable acceleration difference.

i dont think thats a placebo effect. Less oil weight = less friction = faster acceleration

 

[beaujt]

I highly doubt your lifters are goin bad! My 93 ranger ticks too, or use too haha... when i bought it ticked a bit, but i started changing the oil about 2,000-2,500 miles and it doesn't tick anymore, even in the cold weather down here... at least until it gets to about -30... yes it really does get that cold, but i run 5w-30 in the winter and prolly will run 10w-30 in the summer But if ya really want to i guess you could replace the lifters, i wouldn't though

 

[94EXPLODER]

alright...i just dont want it to get worse...right now its not bad but geez my 2.9 was annoying..sounded like a diesel almost...the radio can only go so loud to cover the sound haha