0w 30 vs 10w 30 Saturn

Glenn F. · Nov 30, 2017

We have an '02 Saturn (3.0 engine) that didn't seem to smoke when we bought it 3000 miles ago. Son changed oil to recommended 0w 30 and now it smokes on cold starts and hard acceleration. 180,000 miles. I assume previous owner had heavier oil in it. Would it be risky to run 10w 30?

Glenn F.
NEWI, where it can get to -25? below zero.......

Glenn F. · Nov 30, 2017

Engine gets about 1500 miles/quart.

timcasbolt · Nov 30, 2017

(quoted from post at 00:11:04 12/01/17) We have an '02 Saturn (3.0 engine) that didn't seem to smoke when we bought it 3000 miles ago. Son changed oil to recommended 0w 30 and now it smokes on cold starts and hard acceleration. 180,000 miles. I assume previous owner had heavier oil in it. Would it be risky to run 10w 30?

Glenn F.
NEWI, where it can get to -25? below zero.......

The only 3 Saturns I have personal experience with all called for 5w30, but I'm certain 10w30 would be fine.

Glenn F. · Nov 30, 2017

You're right, 5w 30 is in it now.

Glenn

D beatty · Nov 30, 2017

Did you by it off lot or from private party ? If private party you could call owner and as what they used. You might change brand of oil. I have had pickup truck that would use oil with one brand and change to another brand same weight and it wouldn't use oil.

johnlobb · Nov 30, 2017

Go to saturnfans.com. Those guys know everything there is to know about Saturns.

Roger Tomfohrde · Nov 30, 2017

I would not use the 10W unless you want to repair the valve train from lack of lubrication. We got 300,000 on ours before the wife got talked into high mileage oil-- guess what it now uses a lot of oil and doesn't run as well. Oh well.Have the same 4cyl in the second one at 226000 getting 1500 but have a leak and the Classic which goes 4000 to a quart at the same mileage on the engine.Overhead camshaft engines need oil right away when you start them. I agree different oils even at the same weight some engines do not like.

WGM · Nov 30, 2017

10W30 would be ok. I had an 01 Buick which saw nothing but 10W30 Castrol from when I bought it new until I sold it with nearly 200K miles. Never used a drop of oil and never had an engine problem. The manual called for 5W30.

jtwat · Nov 30, 2017

Glenn, have you checked for a leak or is it burning it. Smoke at start up and on acceleration sounds like worn valve guides or hardened valve stem seals.

Mike M · Dec 1, 2017

That's what happened to me on a few engines when I tried synthetic oil in them. Try the cheap oil from Rural King 5w30 or 10w30 and see if it clears up ?

timcasbolt · Dec 1, 2017

(quoted from post at 00:43:00 12/01/17) You're right, 5w 30 is in it now.

Glenn

Often I've found the owner's manual will have a chart of recommended viscosity for various climates. 5w30 and 10w30 are usually very close.

dr sportster · Dec 1, 2017

My Saturn called for 5-30 .

Glenn F. · Dec 3, 2017

Good suggestion. Bought from a private party. I will check with him.

Glenn

buickanddeere · Dec 7, 2017

She is gonna blowup in a shower of sparks and flames if you do that.

0w 30 vs 10w 30 Saturn

Glenn F.

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Glenn F.

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