Conventional Vs Synthetic Blend Vs Full Synthetic for Winter

General Discussion
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1

When it comes to naturally aspirated (non GDI) regular fuel injected engines, is it bad for the engines longevity in terms of appreciable cold start wear to use conventional oil or synthetic blend oil as opposed to full synthetic when outside temperatures go down to as low as single digits (in degrees Fahrenheit)? Where I am, winter temperatures can easily reach that low between December - February.

Does anyone know the exact safe minimum temperature rating/useage for conventional oil? What about for synthetic blend oils? What about full synthetic?

I just changed my oil in my 05 camry solara a few weeks ago and used synthetic blend, but this question hadn’t occurred to me until today…I wasn’t really considering this at the time since it was still warm out and I just grabbed the cheapest Penzoil bottle I saw on the shelf.

2

What kind does your manual specify? I’d use full synthetic in cold weather regardless. It’s not that much more expensive.

3

It says SAE 5W-30 but it does not specify full synthetic or synthetic blend so I’m just assuming they mean regular.

However, I know full synthetic is better in practice and has lower temperature rating, but would using regular or synthetic blend actually cause any more appreciable wear in single digit cold start temps vs running full synthetic? Or would it not have any more appreciable difference until much colder?

4

I doubt any significant additional wear would occur if the oil meets spec. Full synthetic would result in easier starts.

5

Conventional engine oil was good enough 20 years ago:

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Late model Toyota and Lexus vehicles with 5,000-mile oil change intervals use 5W-30 conventional engine oil. (Performance engines)

This LC500 uses conventional engine oil:

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6

There is a rating for all oils called pour point.That is the temperature at which you can’t pour the oil because it is essentially solid. Not frozen, just too thick to pour.

I think conventional 5w30 is about 35 below zero F. Synthetic about 50 below zero. A blend would be in the middle.

Cars using conventional oil were designed to start at 40 below, so you can use whatever oil you want and be just fine.

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