Oil Recommendation

For both newer and older engines requiring a 30-weight oil, we recommend the use of a 0W-30 CI-4/SL or CJ-4/SM HDEOs in place of SAE 30, 5W-30, and 10W-30.  However, 5W-30 and 10W-30 HDEOs would still work well in older vehicles requiring a 30-weight oil.  The only 0W-30 HDEOs we have been able to locate so far are listed in our Heavy Duty Engine Oils article. Because 0W-30 has a lower viscosity than 10W-40 or 20W-50-oils that many people like to use, a 0W-30 oil will have less internal friction and will have better heat transfer through the engine thereby carrying away more heat to the oil pan and filter for cooling.  In other words, lower viscosity helps to prevent the engine oil from reaching excessively high temperatures.  Because the 0W-30s are synthetic (or semi-synthetic) oils, they also have extremely low pour points that even suitable for arctic winter operation and there would be no need to change to a lower viscosity oil for winter operation. Dual API ratings (like CJ-4/SM) means that these oils are suitable for both gasoline and diesel engines at the expense of potential fuel economy savings (due to the lack of friction modifier additives).

Esso 0W-30 is a PAO (Group IV) synthetic (CJ-4/SM) with a 100°C viscosity of 12.2 cSt, a VI of 176, and a pour point of -45°C (-49°F).  Its high VI allows it to maintain its viscosity better at high temperatures better than a conventional SAE 30.  That is, it will thin down to 9.3 cSt (SAE 30 lower limit) at 113.8°C (236.8°F).  0W-40 (also a PAO synthetic) is available for diesels and other engines requiring higher viscosity.  Lower-priced mineral oils based 5W-30 and 10W-30 are also available.

PetroCanada has a 0W-30 oil (CI-4/SM Duron Synthetic) that is a Goup III synthetic.  It has a a 100°C viscosity of 11.5 cSt, a VI of 175, a pour point of -51°C (-60°F), and a HTHS of 3.3 cP.  This oil's high VI will also maintain its viscosity better at high temperatures better than a conventional SAE 30. In this case, it will thin down to 9.3 cSt at 110.7°C (231.3°F).  0W-40 (CJ-4/SM) and 5W-40 (CI-4+/SL) are available for diesels and other engines requiring higher viscosity.  Lower-priced Duron-E 10W-30 (mineral) and Duron XL 0W-30 (synthetic blend) oils are also available.

Esso XD-3 Extra 0W-30 has a CJ-4/SM service rating so that it should be safe for use in modern vehicles equipped with catalytic converters requiring 10W-30 or 5W-30.  You may also safely use this in air-cooled engines requiring SAE 30 engine oil. Engines requiring a heavier weight oil such as 15W-40 may safely use a 0W-40 oil for improved fuel economy and reduced start-up wear.  Engines with aftermarket high rate valve springs and high lift camshafts will benefit from the higher ZDDP levels in CI-4 oils and some PetroCanada Duron oils may be a better choice. However, CJ-4 oils generally have backwards compatibility with CI-4+, CI-4, and CH-4 oils. Chevron Delo 400 0W-30 is rated CG-4/SJ and Shell Rotella SB is rated at CH-4/SJ so they meet lower performance criteria than API SL or SM oils.  However, engines from the 1960s and 1970s only require API SC to SE so these oils would still offer more protection than originally specified by the OEM.

Synthetic 0W-30 HDEOs are more expensive than conventional oils.  If price is an issue or if 0W-30 oils are not readily available in your location, many engine oil manufacturers also make 10W-30 HDEOs which should work similarily well as 0W-30 oils in gasoline-powered vehicles.  For summer-time use, older vehicles often were recommended to use 20W-40.  In this case, a 15W-40 would be an excellent (and very economical) substitute.  Very thick oils like 20W-50 are generally not required in street-driven engines and will waste both power and fuel economy under normal operating conditions.

For club members (or any one else) interested using Chevron, Esso, PetroCanada, or Shell lubricants, please contact the club president for more information.  Both 4L jugs and 1L bottles are available in most cases. High quality greases and Chevron Techron EFI cleaner are also available.  See Engine Oil Price List.