Thread: oil question

Changing the oil today on a DE with over 200,000 if that makes a difference..
I have been running German Castrol full synthetic 0w-30 in it for awhile now(last 4 or 5 oil changes).Prior to that I always ran Mobil1 5w-30.
I picked up some Castrol full synthetic 5w-40 by mistake and was wondering if I could just use it anyway for this oil change since it is close to the same weight.
I dont have the receipt anymore,so I cant return it.I just wanted to use it since I paid for it already.
I plan to go back to the German 0w-30 again next change.What do you guys think?
Does it make a difference if you change oils on occasion like that?
What are the effects of this,if any?

I don't see a reason why you should worry about that at all. As long as you are not messing with semi-synthetic or mineral oils, you should be fine. I have also been using different viscosity oils through the years, but mainly 5W50. Most people would probably go with a semi-synthetic oil for an engine with such high millage. But if one day I put that many miles on mine, I would know for sure if it wants semi or full.
If your engine works good and it doesn't 'eat' oil, than stick to the full-synthetic, no matter what grade. At the end, an engine oil does not only lubricate, and it also cleans/flushes. So as long as you use new oil, you are in the game. My opinion tho!

Eggman -

I see no reason why you should not use the 5W40 oil.

you should be fine.

Thanks guys.
I actually just waited a couple extra days and went and got the German Castrol again for this oil change.I will probably use the 5W 40 next time to use it up.

That's the recommend oil weight (or is it 10w-40?) for use in the summer months or hot climates anyway. Not super great for winter or for cold climates, but you'll be fine in Florida.

5w 30 is recommended under the hood and in the FSM....Thats what I ran when I was using Mobil 1

Under the hood on the '94 SE-R it shows a cartoon thermostat and has two different weight recommendations based on the outside temps expected. Pretty sure anyway.
You're cool with the 5w-40.