David,

When it's cold the engine "Thinks" it has 20 weight in it and when it
warms up the engine "Thinks" it has 50 weight in it.

During the winters in northern Maine I use 5w 50.  The engine would
never turn over, when it's below 0� F, using 20w 50.

Mike

David Kao wrote:
> Bob, what is your opinion about dino oil 20w-50 most Vanagon people
> believe in and kind of insist in using it? They have of course a good
> point that the owner's manual suggested it.
>
> My understanding is the 20W part is bad for the first few miles after a
> cold start in the morning. That's when the most wear happens to the engine.
> But the number of 50 in 20w-50 is good for the rising coolant temperature
> when in bumper to bumper traffic. The Vangon's cooling system is unable
> to keep the coolant at a constant temperature in slow traffic or in climbing
> long hills, unlike my Passat which keeps its coolant temperature at a
> constant at all conditions. I can see the benefit of the 50 viscosity
> for vanagons. But 20w part is really bad for cold start and first few
> miles of driving first thing in the morning.
>
> What's the solution for this? What's your opinion about this? Or it doesn't
> matter any way? Thanks a lot.
>
> David
>
>
>
>
>
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