# What kind of oil should I use

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-kind-of-oil-should-i-use/55637>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** geo, metro, oil\
**Created:** [September 27, 2010, 1:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-kind-of-oil-should-i-use/55637 "2010-09-27T01:38:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![haglered](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/haglered/32/159_2.png) [@haglered](https://community.cartalk.com/u/haglered)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 1:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-kind-of-oil-should-i-use/55637/1 "2010-09-27T01:38:38Z")

</div>

Here is a quick one. I just purchased a 1996 geo metro. (186k, 4 cyl, auto trans hatchback.)  
  
  
  
 What kind of oil should I use? 5-w-30 10-w-30, 30sae?  
  
  
  
 I don’t have the manual and can’t find the information online anywhere.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![UncleTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9a140/32.png) [@UncleTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/UncleTurbo)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 2:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-kind-of-oil-should-i-use/55637/2 "2010-09-27T02:09:13Z")

</div>

I’d say if you live in the Southeast or Southwest where it rarely goes below freezing, 10W-30. If you live in an area that gets very cold in winter, like in the teens frequently at night I’d suggest 5W-30.

Most cars now have the oil recommendations right on the oil filler cap. The weight of the oil is not as critical as making sure the car always oil in it.

Since you just purchased the car, it has a lot of miles on it, and it is 15 years old; it is important to check the oil level frequently. It may burn oil, or leak oil and you need to keep an eye on the level until you have more history on the car. If you go with the 5W oil it might burn off quicker than 10W so another reason to check the oil level frequently.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Xebadaih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/d07c76/32.png) [@Xebadaih](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Xebadaih)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 2:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-kind-of-oil-should-i-use/55637/3 "2010-09-27T02:11:15Z")

</div>

10w-30 will be fine.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 10:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-kind-of-oil-should-i-use/55637/4 "2010-09-27T10:12:14Z")

</div>

Google “1996 geo metro manual” and you will find manuals for sale. I would suggest buying one. It is likely you will want it for other questions in the future.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mshugna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce73a5/32.png) [@mshugna](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mshugna)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 11:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-kind-of-oil-should-i-use/55637/5 "2010-09-27T11:51:36Z")

</div>

A call to a dealership - service/parts department might get you the answer…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jeffmw05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@Jeffmw05](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jeffmw05)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 2:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-kind-of-oil-should-i-use/55637/6 "2010-09-27T14:41:15Z")

</div>

It doesn’t say on the engine oil filling cap?