Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
VanagonEuroVan
Subject:Re: Oil Viscosity Recommendations
From:Dave Nadeau
Date:Wed, 19 Jul 2000 20:00:31 -0700

Karl,

Do you ever get a flash of the oil warning when you hit idle on a long trip?  I
still get an occaisional light when I've up through the mountains around Payson,
AZ and it's 95 degrees and I stop at a light.  Maybe the 40 weight is the
answer.  Of course, lots of driving down here in PHX at 113 degrees does it
too!   It takes a good hour or two of driving before I can get the light at idle
though.

On another note, I took this list's collective advice and drained my gear oil
and replaced it with Redline MTL.  Thank you and Wow!  I drove the mountains
this past weekend, and the shifting has gone from sand to silk.  It's really
noticeable.  Even after long grinding climbs, it shifted very smoothly.  The
former stuff must've gotten very hot because on the same trip three weeks
before, it shifted terribly after the long climb.  Thanks for the advice!

Dave Nadeau
'84 Westy
Phoenix, AZ

Karl Wolz wrote:

> Call me an old fart, but I run straight 30 in the winter and 40 in the
> summer, just like the owner's manual says (the owner's manual does recommend
> multi-vis also).  Actually, the owner's manual only goes to 100 degrees, but
> when running in 115 degree heat, I get real leery of multigrade oils.  A
> mechanic buddy of mine swears that, even though multi-grade technology is
> very good, there is a noticeable degradation of lubricating properties in
> high temperature applications.
>
> Karl Wolz

Have something to add on this topic today? Revive this thread in the forum »