Motor Oils

["Bruce Hevner" <scramblr@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Pennzoil 10-30w I use seems EXTREMELY watery...and
>that bothers me. I thought it used to be more viscous
>than that, at least 10-15 years ago. I just poured
>some straight Pennzoil 30w into my '87 Toyota, and it
>is thicker and has a more "oil-like" consistency,
>whereas the 10-30 really runs out the bottle like
>water. Is this an indication of "advanced oil
>engineering", or what? It just bothers me that it
>seems to have that easy-pour ability. My truck calls
>for 10-30, but I am thinking of using at least one
>quart of straight 30 with the rest. Opinions? I've
>always been a Pennzoil user, even in my Gremlins.

There's a TON of information on Oil spec's on the 'net so I won't go into it
here. Let's just say that the straight weight oils have a place I guess in
older leakers/knockers. You could just add a can of VI improver (STP). But
in ANY modern engine that isn't worn out or have some mechanical problem,
you should be using multi-weight oil. It's all about "pump-ability". MOST
engine wear occurs on startup between the time the engine is started and the
pump is able to build pressure and get all the parts oiled. This is one
reason it's important to use a filter with a good anti-drain back valve. It
reduces the precious seconds it takes to get the oil system primed and
working. Thicker oil takes longer to pump.
You think 10-30 is thin?? I'm using 5-30 Mobil-1 in my Son's Grand Prix with
only 35k on the clock. And they make a ZERO weight for extremely cold
climates.
 Do a little experiment for yourself. Take a cup of 30wt and 5-30 and put
them both in the freezer. Se what happens when they get down to zero! Get
the picture? How about hot? Mobil had an ad a few years back where they took
regular oil and syn oil and poured them both into a hot skillet on a stove.
The regular oil congealed and had to be scraped out. The Syn oil poured out
as nothing had happened.  Pennzoil is fine oil, as regular cat III oils go
it's as good as any. But after using Syn oil for over 15 years and seeing
what engines look like after using it,,, I use Mobil-1. I WOULD LIKE to use
Red Line but it's about twice as expensive as Mobil. I can get Mobil-1 at
Wally-World for 3.97 a quart in 5 gal jugs. Red Line is around 6.50 last I
checked. We DO use it in the race cars though.
But HEY,,,, that's just ME!
Bruce Hevner