Which oil?

i have read the searches and i am confused. my car is a 2003. the dealer says they use mobil1 0w40. my book says 10w40, 15w40 and 15w 50 for sustained temps. over 50f . i called the parts dept. and they say they only sell 0w40. i think 15w50 makes sense for south florida but read that the 996 likes "thin" oil. help

Are you sure your book says: Mine doesn't...I think 1999porsche911 suggests the 15w 50 for high temps. I just use 0w40...my book does not recommend the others you have listed.

yes...from my book. i believe they changed oil specs. in 2002.

You're down in FL. I would use 10W-40 as the manufacturer suggests. I use Castrol 5W-50 myself here in VA.

Mine is a 2004. Approved Oils as of June 2004 Porsche TSB 1701 The list is now very long (for worldwide coverage). Here is a short list of popular oils (US/Canada): Castrol Syntec 5W-50 5W-50 ncp G Castrol Syntec 5W-40 5W-40 ncp GL Mobil 1 0W-40 ncp GL (factory fill) Mobil 1 5W-40 ncp GL Mobil 1 5W-50 ncp GL Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic Formula 0W-40 ncp GL Texaco Havoline Synthetic 5W-40 ncp GL

The newest TSB dated 7-28-05 for Porsche Approved Engine Oils have only 2 weights as "approved" for the 986/996/987/997/996TT/CGT/CS. .......And they are 0W-40 and 5W-40. I can understand using a 5W oil in the warmer climates since there is little chance of getting near -12C (+10F) but I can't imagine wanting a more viscous oil at higher temps which could hamper performance. Both 40 and 50 weight oil will protect at the temps we run on the track (Mobil1 claims protection up to 400F and we are running in the 225F range) but the 50 will be more viscous. Do you want a thicker oil or less thick oil when trying to get max performance when BOTH protect at that temp? If Mobil1 made a 5W-40 I would use it. So as it stands I go with the 0W-40. I totally respect the opinions of others (such as 1999P911) who claim 15W-50 is a better oil to run. I would just ask for some explanation why and and data source I can read that would allow me to say "to hell with what Porsche (and Mobil) reccomends". This could really be a great thread as long as we keep it factual based and try to understand the pros/cons of different oil weights in diff climates.

Approved Oils as of July 2005 The list is now very long (for worldwide coverage). Here is a short list of popular oils (US/Canada): Castrol Syntec 5W-40 ncp GL Mobil 1 0W-40 ncp GL (factory fill) Mobil 1 5W-40 ncp GL Mobil 1 5W-50 ncp GL Pennzoil Synthetic European Formula 5W-40 ncp GL Quaker State Full Synthetic European Formula 5W-40 ncp GL

Loren, I didn't see the 5W-50 on the list on my first pass. Thanks for the update But, the only 50 weight oil I have seen Mobil make in the syn line is the 15W-50 in the EP line.

thanks for the replies. i checked mobil website and it states 0w40. as you guys have stated this is what porsche fills the car with at production. i am going to use this. my only concern was our hotter climate. thanks

I was, of course, using 0 40, but now have 15 50...trying this to attempt to lower the "puffing" syndrome after hard running...that was the suggestion to me.

I can't think of a hotter place than here in Vegas (except for those guys in PHX) and I haven't seen anybody in the local chapter (tech/instructors/mechs) run 15W-50. The fill is 0W-40 here. Remember, Vegas isn't always hot. We are a "high desert" and it gets bitter frickin cold in the winter and we have had SNOW the last 3 winters!!! Our temp range here is roughly single digits to 125 depending on time of year. And please, you guys in the midwest and NE don't come back with explaining how cold it is there b/c I said it was "bitter frickin cold" here. I know it is cold there as well, I have lived in both those parts of the country. Just letting you know that it is all relative. But, having a temp range of over 120 degrees is insane. 260 days and counting till we move out of this place.......not that we are counting or anything

I run 5w-40 Amsoil in my 02 C2. Was told by a local pshop (musante motor sports) that it has better antifrothing properties at high RPM and that cars running this oil seem to burn less on the track. I did not buy the oil from them. I can say, that over 10-12000 miles between changes, i added less than 1 quart and the oil looked very clean coming out.

I also live in south Florida (other side of the state) I checked with about 5 different Porsche service departments and no one had the same answer they ranged from 0w40w to 15w50w most said in their opion they would use Mobil 1 15w50w. for our temp range here. I have been living here for 22 years an have owned Porsches most of that time, I have always used 15w50w in all of them, it's not only hot here but the humidity keeps it warm all the time, I never had a problem with oil pressure or temp.

That's an interesting observation.... AMSOIL has always been up there with Mobil 1... maybe a little better from what I hear... here is an idea: those who are burning oil... why don't you switch to AMSOIL 5W-40 and see if the oil consumption decreases... I've also heard very good things about MOTUL synthetic... a different type of synthetic but also of high quality.

I run 0-40 in Tucson. 118 degrees-summer...0/40...15 degrees-winter 0/40...works!

c70....based on my 0W-40 use and many many oil changes later (now at 55K total on the clock). I have never had to add more than .5L between changes. Most times not a drop b/t changes. And that is with 1/2 dozen or so track weekends as well. I am sold on the 0W-40. Not saying I wouldn't consider the 15W-50, but why?

Another good oil to consider is Mobil 1 5w40 Truck and SUV. It's thicker at 100c than M1 0w40 and has more anti-wear additives. My local WalMart sells 5qt. jugs for $20.