What grade oil to use
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What grade oil to use
I have a 1981 rx7 that I use very little, less than 2,000 per year. I plan on driving it a little more so I need to know what grade oil do I use. The previous owner used 20-50 but someone else told me that was to thick. Tell me what brand and grade to use.
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20w/50 is typically used in diesel engines or by scumbag salesman trying to conceal oil burning problems. You're in a colder climate and you will need to use the thinner of your oil options if you start the engine in the winter.
I'd say that most important of all is to make sure that you drive the car for 30+ minutes if it's rarely started. Condensation and the resulting water mixing with oil isn't good for business, and the extended drive effectively "burns" that off. Check the bottom of your oil cap (or catch can, if you have one) and see how nasty it gets.
I'd say that most important of all is to make sure that you drive the car for 30+ minutes if it's rarely started. Condensation and the resulting water mixing with oil isn't good for business, and the extended drive effectively "burns" that off. Check the bottom of your oil cap (or catch can, if you have one) and see how nasty it gets.
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The 20W50 grade would work great... if you lived in Florida.
For your area you will probably want to use 10W40 or 5W30. As explained earlier, just look up your area's temperature range in the manual to see which grade is recommended.
As for brands, Castrol GTX works well in rotary engines.
For your area you will probably want to use 10W40 or 5W30. As explained earlier, just look up your area's temperature range in the manual to see which grade is recommended.
As for brands, Castrol GTX works well in rotary engines.
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In general, thicker oil provides better high-temperature protection. Unfortunately, thicker oil tends to cause more wear at lower temperatures. Thicker oil also reduces horsepower and gas mileage.
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All the oil info you can imagine: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php
And if you're curious what happens to engine oil at very cold temps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKtxqf5OFTU
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