When I lived in Minnesota I had a hard time figuring out what weight oil to use.

Given the range of temperatures I was seeing during January-March, 5W30 was too light during 
the warmer days (>32F) and 10W30 was too heavy during the colder days (-35F).

I started using synthetic oil 10 years ago and have not turned back.

I now use 5W50 year round and have never had a starting problem in the winter.

I had the oil in my Mazda tested last year by Smart Check (800-826-6071) at 120,000 mi. and 
it showed no engine wear problems at all.

--- On Mon, 20 Jan 1997 18:58:44 -0600  Gary E Thaxter <gthaxter@msdcorp.com> wrote:

>Hi all.
>
>I'm waiting for the weather to warm up so I can do some work on my van
>(install used engine).  It's been too cold to start working outside ( -41
>before wind chill (yes minus 41 degrees)).  I live in Northern Ontario
>Canada.  40 below is 40 below celcius, farenheit, same thing.  It was only
>a couple of days, but we usually get about a week of that stuff near the
>end of January.
>
>The first year I had my van (85 transporter), I was coming home from work
>at about 5 am, 40 below and my oil light came on.  I pulled over to find my
>oil all up my back door and in a puddle underneath.  Scared the heck out of
>me but it ended up it was only the oil filter gasket had blown out.  Quick
>change that afternoon and all was well.  I still had to walk home though (3
>miles).
>
>
>Anyone know what weight of oil is recommended when hell freezes over?
>
>
>There was some talk of block heaters on the list a while back.  I couldn't
>live without one.  My 74 transporter had one as well.  Every bug I ever
>bought had one too.  They are actually "oil heaters" on the air cooled
>ones, and the water cooled one is the same only bigger.  It basically is an
>element in an aluminum block that bolts to the bottom of your motor and
>keeps things toasty.
>
>When I first got my water cooled it didn't have one (I bought the van in
>Southern Ontario).  A cold snap set in and I was stranded.  To get to the
>dealer to buy a block heater (an hour away) I had to use an old trick my
>grandfather used to use when he worked in the bush.  When the skidders and
>dozers wouldn't start, they would light a fire underneath.  Not so
>dramatic, I filled an enamel pan with hot coals from the wood stove and
>propped it up on boards until it was close enough to just warm my bottom
>(my engine bottom ;~)  ).  After three hours and a bunch of refills, old
>unfaithful sputtered to life.
>
>I thought that this is maybe what caused my filter gasket to go, but almost
>on the exact same day, one year later, and almost in the exact spot. . .
>(play twilight zone music now)  it happened again.  It was later in the day
>and I got a ride that time.  I was even using lighter oil.  How light can I
>go at 40 below?
>
>The next year the van was parked for January, and this year I'm replacing
>the engine, so I don't have to worry, but we still have a couple of months
>of winter left.  If anyone has cold weather experience with their vans or
>any recommendations, let haul, I'ld like to hear from you.
>
>And does Propex make an industrial size heater? Ha, kidding. My BA6 will
>melt plastic (left a cassette by the floor vent).
>
>
>Thanks
>
>Gary Thaxter
>85 transporter
>74 transporter (panel)
>still looking at an 86 syncro
>
>Does really cold weather affect VC operation in a Syncro?
>Any other list members live in the North?
>
>

-----------------End of Original Message-----------------

___________________________________________

  Michael Stocker <mdstockr@neo.lrun.com>
  North Canton, Ohio, USA
  Date: 1/20/97
  Time: 8:21:52 PM
___________________________________________