1997 c class merc with oil consumption problems
O.K. Let's use 20 weight for example. A straight weight oil is just that, a straight 20 weight in viscosity, it doesn't change when it gets hot or is cold, so it won't thin when heated. It will read
sea 20 on the container. A 20/50 has a viscosity that changes when heated. When cold it is a 50 weight, then as it heats up it thins to a 20 weight. A 20/50 might not be too bad to run in this situation, but the viscosity breakdown is quicker with the mixed viscosity oils, so I generally recommend running a straight weight, such as 15 or 20 in the winter, and a 30 or 40 in the summer. Keep in mind that the oil does not thin, so if you have extreme cold in the winter, the car may not start very easy. If it doesn't, then you can go to a thinner oil. In the summer, if you have extreme heat, you can go with a thicker oil if the engine has a little noise, or running hotter than usual. Just remember, the lower the number, the thinner the oil. Running a thicker oil in yours, should cut down on the oil consumption.
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