Is this hurting my truck??

Question

I have been changing my own oil since i got my truck every 3,000 miles. I have had it almost three years. I was told to put 10-30 motor oil into it, but about a month a go i found out that my truck is met to take 5-30. Is this a problem or not? also what are the efffects of this, and what is the difference between 10-30 and 5-30??? the truck is a 1986 gmc s-15 seirra- 4 clynder,4 speed THANKS

Answer 1

10-30 is slightly thicker. There is no problem in using a slightly thicker oil, especially with a higher mileage vehicle. I would continue what you are doing, and use the 10-30 every 3000 miles!!

Answer 2

The oil is 5wt at 0 degrees celcious and 30 weight (thicker) at 100 degrees celcious. Not a problem. Oil weights don't matter much, but generally go thinner if it's cold and thicker (bigger number) if it's really hot. Too thin is never a problem unless you're racing and the engine can break through the oil film. Too thick is a big problem because the oil pump can't pump Jello (which is what oil is like if it's too cold) and will starve the engine. Really, I would not worry about anything less than a 15 weight change in oil

Answer 3

I used to sell cars at West Way Ford in Houston Texas.

The first number of the oil is how heavy it is when it's hot and the second is when it's cold. The viscosity of the oil when heated makes the oil more runny/liquid so if you have 10W30 your oil starts out as a 30 weight and as it heats up in breaks down to a 10 wight and a 5 weight would make it closer to water in consistency. This is why most racing cars use a straight 50 weight so it won't break down at the higher temps.

You shouldn't have any problem using the 10W30, in my opinion, I'd use it too no matter what someone said.

Answer 4

there is very little difference between the 2 oils . 5 / 30 is liter then 10/30. Most dealer use 10/30 in their bulk tank and put it in all the cars they do oil changes on. No harm will be done to your truck.

Answer 5

5W-30 oil is a little thinner when it is cold. 5W refers to the oil's viscosity when cold, and the 30 refers to when it is at operating temp. Shouldn't be a big deal, but I'd start using the 5W-30 from now on to reduce engine wear on start up. I doubt its hurt you in any way, because 4 cylinder vehicles tend to warm up faster than 6 or 8 cylinders. Thicker oils can cause the oil seals to blow (too much pressure), so don't stick with the 10W-30. (My old '89 Escort GT blew the front cam seals from using 10W-40 instead of 10W-30).

Answer 6

It all depends on where you are and how hot or cold it gets. For more severe conditions you would use 10-30, for less severe 5-30. Read your manual, see what weight the manufacturer recommends, but this will probably also vary on the conditions of where you live. Shouldn't be anything to worry about.

Answer 7

The slight viscosity difference shouldn't make a huge effect. 5W30 is actually a ligher viscosity oil (thinner) at lower temperatures to allow the oil to circulate more easily than the 10W30.

After the car is "warmed" up, both act as 30 weight oils.

Typically it is recommended that one use 5W30 in the winter months and 10W30 in the summer months.

Answer 8

The numbers for oil co-inside with the viscosity (thickness) of the oil. The higher the number the thicker the oil. As long as you dont mix 2 different weights in you vehicle there will be no problem.

Answer 9

Change the oil? Never done it so I don't know. I did try to buy the oil for my truck at one time and was told it was the wrong one, so never tried again.
Apparently it has done any damage to your truck. Good luck.

Answer 10

No biggie.
It's actually the EPA that recommends a lower weight oil as it creates less pollution during cold engine start up.