I changed my oil and used Castrol Syntec 5w20 instead of 5W30.

I live in Canada - bloody freezing Canada.

Will that be OK?

It's a bit late to ask now, but it didn't twig until I put the oil cap back!

 

WOW - the shortest oil thread I've ever seen.

On the Triumph motorcycle forum I frequent (as a mod) I would have seen 5 or 6 facepalms and 100 different opinions by now!

So I'll answer my own question. After trawling through oil threads on the internet.

It may be a slighter better oil for a colder climate, but because thinner may deplete quicker than 5w30. If I keep an eye on the level and top up with 5w30 there shouldn't be a problem. However, I should watch that the engine doesn't overheat - not much chance of that this time of the year!

Some manufacturers (Ford, Toyota, Chrysler) now use 5w30 in order to improve the mileage of their vehicles, but YMMV.

When I do change the oil again which oil should I use: cold climate, short commuting trips?

BTW has anyone used Amsoil? My buddy is signing up with them, and I'm going to use it in my motorbikes.

 

I think there's been little response because of previous 'animated' discussions that ended up in tears or being locked. Much like bottled water, everybody swears that their choiceis the best but never succeeds in convincing anyone else because they're all pretty much the same anyway. The vast majority of people commenting on engine oil haven't got a clue and simply put a new spin on marketing cr*p they've heard.

The info you've found is partial incorrect and mostly irrelevant to the Jag application anyway. The overheating info is actually criminally incorrect.

Use what's recommended in the owner's manual. If 5W20 is OK with Jag, then off you go.

I'm sure and hope that this will stir up some technically based debate.

 

Well... the problem is the 5w20 is already in there. I'm trying to make sure my car isn't about to blow up in a puff of smoke 'cos I'm using it!

Should I drain the oil, and put in the 5w30, or am I going to be OK?

 

What does the owners manual say? If it's not OK by them why risk an engine for $25 worth of oil -and don't bother with synthetics unless your going for an extended oil change interval.

 

I see that you are in Canada. That oil should be fine for those temperature ranges now. When the temps start to rise on a regular basis, I would then think about changing the oil. In extremely cold temps the lighter weight oil is recommended anyway.

 

That's what I'm thinking - have another change in July.

I understand that the Lincolns with basically the same engine as our are told to use the 5w20 so it's not too far out for our Jags.

I've contacted Castrol direct and should hear from them too.

 

If you have nothing to do or you are concerned about your oil selection go to this link http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/cms If you have an owners manual you may want to reference it as well.

 

I checked his link out, which is where I found out about the Lincolns. I googled aj8 engines and 5w20 and got bob!

 

I run 5W-30 in my Jag, 5W-20 in my Hemi Jeep, and 0W-40 in my Benz...

All what is recommended by the MNFT (the Hemi actually requires 5W20 for the cylinder deactivation system to properly function)

The Jaguar owners manual states:

personally I think the 5W-20 is a tad thin for my tastes.

 

I'm not recommending 5w20 at all. I made a mistake and put it in. I'm just tying to figure if I should dump it or leave it in for a while.

In my own conditions - harsh winters (this winter weeks below minus 30!) and first thing in the morning I drop my kids off at school, so the car doesn't get time to warm up, it may not be a bad choice.

However, I will be putting 5W30 in again.

 

The way I see it is if you do not burn the oil (blue smoke) and you do not hear abnormal noises clanging chattering or anything you should be OK.

 

Personally I would change it and the filter.

 

...leave it in until it warms up, then go 5W-30. 20 is too thin for hot climate.

 

I dream of hot climates.

Well - let's see - we've got March and April when we get our most snow, then frost 'til the end of May, Spring comes in June - but so does the rain , and hail in July, so come August we might get some heat! And then it's two months until winter again!

 

You are in Alberta Canada and temp today is 46F and tonight 27F. I think you will be fine!

 

.... unless you are all of a sudden going to be running up and down the highway at sustained high speeds, or up mountain passes ... the 5W20 would not be a concern at current temperatures

you also have this option:

in other words, your local dealer who is knowledgeable about the local climate

The book recommendations are generic and targetted to "maximise fuel economy". For example, Jaguar warranty coverage in Mexico requires the use of full synthetic 20W50. But hop a few miles north, and there is no such requirement even though the climate can be almost the same at certain times.

 

The 21st century's version of alchemy!

Thanks to everyone for their input.

I'll keep the oil in 'til warmer weather comes and then go with 5w30.

 

When I did a TDY at Tule Greenland when the B52 crashed. We spent months looking for the nuclear bomb that went down with it and I understood then what cold was and that is why I like the Eastern Shore Ocean City Md.

 

Did you ever find the bomb - or is it one of those "If I told you I would have to kill you" things?

We've had it particularly cold this winter. Record lows for record lengths of time.