GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Our 04 pontiac vibe calls for 5w-30 oil but it also says that 10w30 is acceptable if the temperature isn't going to dip below 32degrees farenhieght..So My question is,would it be okay to run 10w30 in it in the spring and summer (warm) months and then switche back to 5w30 in the colder winter months? I live in TN so our winters don't get too awfully cold,reason im asking is,I've always dealt with trucks that called for 10w30 and when we got our vibe,the 5w30 just seems so thin..I want maximum protection without harming the motor in any other way like the oil pump.So should I use the 10w30 in warm weather and switch back to 5w30 in the cold weather? We are planning a 6600 mile road trip in july,so I'd like to know if its gonna be okay switching back and forth.

Run 5w-30. The lower number relates to viscosity when the oil is cold. At full temp they are both the same. Most wear occurs at startup before the oil is flowing well and doing its job. This is long, but a good analysis of motor oil: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/s...36052

+2 on 5w30!

Lots of good info at this site also.bobistheoilguy.com/cms/

Just a thought: I have used only *0*W30 in our Vibe for several years. There is no downside to using a 0W30 over a 5W30 in terms of performance (it generally flows better at cooler temps (the "0") and acts just like the "30" at high temps. In fact most 0W30s are 'lighter' and so flow better for most any temperature so one can benefit from this grade regardless if the car is in Florida or Fairbanks. Our Vibe is an 05. But if it was an 2009/10 MY I would for sure use a 0W20.

I had no idea oil was like that..but it does make sense, so all oils with a 30 will perform the same at operating temperture,its just a difference when you first start it up at how thick it is? This is definatly interesting. Think i'll stay with the 5w30 then.Thanks for the info guys.

Quote, originally posted by 21Rouge »Just a thought: I have used only *0*W30 in our Vibe for several years. There is no downside to using a 0W30 over a 5W30 in terms of performance (it generally flows better at cooler temps (the "0") and acts just like the "30" at high temps. In fact most 0W30s are 'lighter' and so flow better for most any temperature so one can benefit from this grade regardless if the car is in Florida or Fairbanks. Agreed.