Best engine oil for winter driving

[Tahini]

Hello everyone,

I have bought a 2006 Town Car about three months ago, and it's been lovely. It barely uses any oil, but the level is going down now, and as winter is beginning to set in here in Sweden, I was wondering if anyone here can recommend a good winter engine oil for me. I drive very rarely and very lightly - weekends mostly, perhaps 35-80 miles at a time, no faster than 60 mph. Temperatures here will be mostly in the 30s and often quite a bit below that.

What would you recommend me to top up with?

Thanks from Sweden!

 

[Town]

In my Town Car I used Mobil 1 synthetic 0W20 year around with oil and filter changes in the spring and fall. The Mobil 1 0W20 is guaranteed to meet manufacturers 5W20 spec but provide additional flow when the engine is cold (when most wear occurs).

Do you know when the oil was changed last or what oil was used? If you don't then change the oil and filter now rather than a top up. If you are happy with the prior oil change then top up with the same oil. Synthetic and regular oil mix well together and the viscosities are OK to mix too.

The main reason to change the oil regularly is to eliminate the moisture from condensation and the byproducts of combustion (including water) which cause sludge that will block oil passages. Since you don't run your car extensively to burn off the moisture in Winter's cold temperatures then you are at risk of sludge buildup. Synthetic oil will not last longer than regular oil, it will just circulate faster.

Good luck.

 

[Tahini]

oil

In my Town Car I used Mobil 1 synthetic 0W20 year around with oil and filter changes in the spring and fall. The Mobil 1 0W20 is guaranteed to meet manufacturers 5W20 spec but provide additional flow when the engine is cold (when most wear occurs).

Do you know when the oil was changed last or what oil was used? If you don't then change the oil and filter now rather than a top up. If you are happy with the prior oil change then top up with the same oil. Synthetic and regular oil mix well together and the viscosities are OK to mix too.

The main reason to change the oil regularly is to eliminate the moisture from condensation and the byproducts of combustion (including water) which cause sludge that will block oil passages. Since you don't run your car extensively to burn off the moisture in Winter's cold temperatures then you are at risk of sludge buildup. Synthetic oil will not last longer than regular oil, it will just circulate faster.

Good luck.

Thanks so much, @Town! 0W20 it shall be! The oil was last changed in July this year, which would make it about three months ago, and I haven't driven much since (about 1.200 miles only, since I also have another car that gets jealous if I don't use it, an old Pontiac). So, whatever is in there now, a good sip of 0W20 till it's time for a complete change will be all right, I take it?

 

[Town]

Thanks so much, @Town! 0W20 it shall be! The oil was last changed in July this year, which would make it about three months ago, and I haven't driven much since (about 1.200 miles only, since I also have another car that gets jealous if I don't use it, an old Pontiac). So, whatever is in there now, a good sip of 0W20 till it's time for a complete change will be all right, I take it?

Yes, you can top up your oil level with Mobil 1 0W20. There are other brands of synthetic oil with 0W20 specifications but all that I have seen recommend their 0W20 only where spec'd by the car manufacturer. So I would not put them in my car, but I am very cautious.

Good luck.