Vanagoonies,

To follow up on the latest oil thread, I too use 20W-50 spring, summer, and
fall.  In the winter I go to a blend of:  1 quart 10W-30, the rest 20W-50.  I
find 20W-50 too thick for winter starting and cold running.  The mix works
just fine.  I use original VW filters.  I line in South Carolina and winters
are not that cold.  In a colder climate I might consider straight 10W-30.

Does mixing viscosities hurt the engine?  I don't think so.  I am the
original owner and have been performing my own oil changes on a regular 3000
mile basis.  My engine has 165,000 miles on it with only head gasket repairs.
 I have been mixing viscosities in the winter for seven or eight years.  The
rest of the engine is original.  I recently sent an oil sample to Herguth for
analysis.  It came back with very good results.  Knock wood, the engine has
many more miles left in it.

I have experienced occasional lifter sticking, it makes the Vanagon sound
like a wind-up toy.  But it always goes away after the engine warms up good.
I do not think that sticking lifters is a serious problem.  What is your
input?

Dennis Lockwood
91 Carat
Original Owner