Maybe it's just me, but this 0W-30 oil is impressive in very cold weather

[oragex]

I'm starting by saying that the following is only meant for those who live in very cold weather, with temperatures below 15F (-10C) and alike. My small observation that follows can very well be flawed/biased. Still..

Want to mention, I'm in Canada, some products may not be available in other places.

I normally use 0W-40 Castrol Edge oil, as the 0W grade is the most fluid available in very cold mornings at start up, helping with faster crank, and less wear on the engine until it warms up. Recently as my PCV got clogged and I had to drive with the dipstick pulled (plus some other home made fix I won't disclose here for environmental reasons), I've lost some oil due to evaporation.

I went to the store to get some oil to refill. While near the shelf, I noticed a bottle of 0W-30 Castrol Edge. Theoretically, it has the same 0W grade at cold start. However, given the smaller gap between the cold and the warm grade, compared to the 0W-40 oil, it means the 0W-30 has less additives and stabilizers added to the actual synthetic composition.

So, here goes my observation: at the same cold temperatures, after adding 0W-30 oil, the engine was significantly better to crank.
Of course, at no moment is this scientific and I didn't even replace all the oil with the 0W-30 grade, just added some. I am aware of the 'volatility' of such observation. But still, for those who live in Alaska and in the northern Canada, it may be worth to use the 0W-30 grade, as perhaps the best choice for very cold engine starts.

Side note, there is also a 0W-20 grade, but that oil should not be used in our older engines who have assembly tolerances designed for 5W-30 oils. The 0W-20 grade is only meant for the newer engines specified for this very light oil grade. Saying this just to keep it safe, as the 0W-20 oil will cause rapid wear in our older engines.

[DrDan]

Castrol Edge Professional A3 0w30 is what the official dealers use over here (Germany). However, I found it harder to obtain than 0w40 oils and also more expensive and so I switched to 0w40. Did not notice a difference in cranking but I seem to have lost some fuel economy, although it's hard to say for sure as there might be other reasons for that.

[Georgeandkira]

My experience with cold temps is limited but we did just go through 2 spates of comparable weather.
Been using a variety of 5W-30 oils (any brand conv. or syn.) for ~15 years in "the same" engine.
I've never noticed anything amiss during the coldest of cold start ups.

I read about Mobil1 0W-40 European Formula and Castrol 0W-30 European Formula.
Both are A3,B3 oils suitable for turbos. We've owned four turbos over 16 years so I had some on hand.
Knowledgable people on the oil board claimed the Mobil1 EF was closer to a 30 warmed up and the Castrol EF was closer to a 40 at temperature.
Also, the Mobil1 was said to be a good cleaner.

Been running the Mobil1 in my non-turbo and have a change coming up.
I want to keep it to one oil so top-offs don't confuse an oil analysis.

She cranked just fine during our cold spell.
How my mileage is effected will be better measured during the longer, warmer driving season ahead. I expect no change.

Perhaps the "thicker" Castrol product would reduce mileage. That test will be for a later time.
I first want to get a handle on how my engine and my driving habits punish oil.

[jonesg]

Same here, although the car fires up so fast it's hard to hear whether the cranking is less labored. Very cold in north maine.

Previously I ran dino oil, snapped the turbo shaft and set cvvt codes.
Switched to Mobil 1 and everything runs better.

[matthew1]

Want to mention, I'm in Canada, some products may not be available in other places.

Like Mobil 1 Maple Syrup oil additive

[abscate]

Even your f* engine health care is better......

[jonesg]

Want to mention, I'm in Canada, some products may not be available in other places.

Like Mobil 1 Maple Syrup oil additive

Haha, moosehead antifreeze.