What I use is Castrol 5w 50.  Their claim is that it's a synthetic
though others have said that it isn't a "Full" synthetic.  Whatever, it
works for me and it sure beats having to put an oil in that would be too
thin once the engine warms up.

Mike

David Kao wrote:
> Is it synthetic oil? Dino oil does not have such a wide multi grade oil.
> Or am I wrong about this?
>
> David
>
> --- Mike Collum <collum@verizon.net> wrote:
>
>> What I said was, in winter, I use 5W 50 (the engine thinks it has 5
>> weight in it when cold).
>>
>> Mike
>>
>>
>> David Kao wrote:
>>> Mike, did you mean to say the other way around? Or am I understanding oil
>>> viscosity incorrectly? But I agree with you that when cold 20w-50 has a weight
>>> of 20 and 50 at engine's operating temperature. What I have question about
>>> is the 20 weight when cold. Especially in winter isn't it too thick? I think
>>> you answered the question already.
>>>
>>> David
>>>
>>>
>>> --- Mike Collum <collum@verizon.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>> 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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