atulb84

iTrader: (1)

is 20W-50 oil bad for maximas? i got a 93 SE and i put some in my car today.

DA-MAX

iTrader: (10)

5w30 for the summer and 10w30 for the winter....I could be wrong, but I know for sure I never read anything suggesting 20w50 being put in our engines??

Mizeree_X

iTrader: (9)

The lighter grade oil should be used in the winter, not the summer since the lower temperatures will increase the viscosity. As far as 20W50 goes, all it will probably do is give decreased gas mileage, as the pistons need to work harder to push against its thickness. My mechanic recommends 10W40 to any car with at least 100k since it is a bit thicker and thus lubricates better. I put 20W50 in my two older cars (both GM though), and saw no adverse effects. It may just be a little bit overkill though. My $0.02

atulb84

iTrader: (1)

i'm in texas so should i just use 10w40? (i got 142k)

Mizeree_X

iTrader: (9)

10W40 should be fine...if the car were new, then 5W30 or 10W30 would be most appropriate.....but with 142k obviously the parts are worn and so probably need a thicker oil that will coat (and thus lubricate) them better, and so that means the oil needs to be thicker. Come winter, mix 2 qts of 10W30 w/ 2 of 10W40 to get a slightly thinner mixture....that's what I'm planning to do...but then again, I live in MA where winter mornings are like 20 degrees.