i switched to syn0-30 from 10-30 dino in my straight 6 a few years ago and liked the cold startups(a bit chilly here in ny) and the other benefits from thin oil. does anyone know if i can safely make the switch from 10-30 dino to 0-30 mobil 1 without any problems? im a bit afraid of that a thin synthetic viscosity in a higher mileage engine(84k) used to dino oil might start leaking. any other issues to consider? '97 4.6 btw.

 

I'm running Amsoil 0w30 with no problems no signs of oil usage, though I do admit I don't run the truck very hard. I go about 10,000 miles per year and don't have to add any oil during that time.

Anyhow I don't see what it could hurt, you could even use 0w30 in the winter and switch back when you change in the spring early summer if that makes you feel better. I assume you change more than 1 time per year.

BTW I also use the 0w30 when I lived in El Paso TX so it should perform well in the summer too.

 

No problem. I've switched to synthetic just for the winter months, and then back to dino. If your engine does develop a gasket leak, the synthetic will leak more than the dino does. I don't like oil on my drive, so I'll either have the gasket repaired or run dino only.

I have a 96 minivan that has a very small leak. I can only see drops in the garage when I run synthetic, so I don't run it in winter in that engine anymore.

run what you want, anytime you want. If you see leaks stick with dino. If you still see oil drops with dino it's time to get it fixed. Thats my opinion on it.

If it does start leaking it's not because you ran synthetic, it's because the gasket got old, or because the oil in the engine doesn't flow like it did when it was new because of sludge buildup.

 

0-30 is not a thin oil. Go to www.bobistheoilguy.com for further info. The 0 just denotes the pour point when cold, at temperature both 10-30 and 0-30 are the same

 

I don't think you'll have a problem. I don't know about the Mobil 1 0W-30 but the Amsoil 0W-30 has a higher film strength than the Amsoil 5W-30, 10W-30 and 10W-40. It is "thinner" meaning it has a lower pour point but the film strength is higher so it fights friction better. As Texcowboy9 said. It's the same as 10W-30 on viscosity at higher temp so it works great in the summer also.
The leaking seal thing is a different story.That might cause a problem if you already have a slight leak.