Mineral or Synthetic

monaro17, Jul 19, 5:31pm

Hi people- Just a quick question. The car is an older 1989 Nissan Pulsar with the GA15S carb petrol. I used 10W-40 last time but feel it is a little thin on start up so I will be using 15W-40 this time. For an older motor such as this (with low kms and doesn't use and oil) should I be using mineral or synthetic oil? Or doesn't it really matter for this type of car? Cheers

franc123, Jul 19, 5:50pm

Stick with mineral, adding synthetic at this stage in its life could be disastrous if its got any degree of sludge buildup inside. Being thin on startup isn't a problem, you want good oil flow when its cold. If its not consuming any oil or isn't rattly when hot I would stick with a good quality 10W/40.

m16d, Jul 19, 5:51pm

Just remember that on start up on a cold morning you don't want oil that's thick as marmite.

gsimpson, Jul 19, 5:55pm

http://www.datateck.com.au/lube/CastrolRetailNzl/default.asp

Castrol recommendations

Castrol GTX 20W-50 or Castrol GTX Modern Engine 15W-40

monaro17, Jul 19, 6:05pm

That's interesting it would recommend a modern engine oil- the description for that one states for use in post 1995 vehicles.

monaro17, Jan 24, 9:12pm

I'm thinking perhaps this is a goer http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/online-store/products/Shell-Helix-HX5-Engine-Oil-15W-40-4-Litre.aspx?pid=218125&menuFrom=1021570#Recommendations

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