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Mixing oil weights? Whats the right combination?

Old May 24, 2012 | 09:13 PM
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Default Mixing oil weights? Whats the right combination?

Ok, so today i went and bought oil to do an oil change. Paid the $31 for my Mobil 1 full synthetic at walmart, walked out the door, and went to do my oil change. Oil change goes perfectly (besides the quart of oil on the ground from the oil catch getting move) and i start to go about my day. Well i go to put the last small bit of oil left in the jug on the shelf and notice I've filled the jeep with not the 5w-30 for the jeep, but instead the 5w-20 for the accord..

So heres where my question comes in, is there a weight of oil that i can put into my jeep to even out to around 5w30 or maybe a little heavier? Id much rather spend $10-$15 dollars on 2 quarts of oil then another $31 on 5 more quarts... Any help on this?
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Old May 24, 2012 | 09:19 PM
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I would say 5w40, but I'm not 100% on that.

EDIT: 3 quarts of 5w20 mixed with 2 quarts of 5w40 comes out to 5w28..

Last edited by zak873; May 24, 2012 at 09:24 PM. Reason: did some 1st grade math
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Old May 24, 2012 | 09:25 PM
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I was thinking the same, but wasnt sure that would be the case.. I was thinking maybe a bottle of 5w-40 and one 5w-50? (if they even make 50 )
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Old May 24, 2012 | 09:29 PM
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Originally Posted by xj_maniac_newb
I was thinking the same, but wasnt sure that would be the case.. I was thinking maybe a bottle of 5w-40 and one 5w-50? (if they even make 50 )
I'm pretty sure mobil 1 makes 5w50 just dono how easy it is to find, and if its what you need exactly. you have a 2.5 right? lol, I remember you saying that somewhere, and then I thought about you saying 5 quarts.. hmm lol.

3-5w20
1-5w40
1-5w50
=
5w30
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Old May 24, 2012 | 09:33 PM
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Yeah ive got a 2.5, full with filter is right at 4 quarts. My idea was to be slightly thicker than 5w30, but not quite 5w-40. So i figured 2 qts 5w-20 + 1 qt 5w-40 + 1 qt 5w-50 would give me something like 5w-35? maybe a little lower?
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Old May 24, 2012 | 09:36 PM
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Originally Posted by xj_maniac_newb
Yeah ive got a 2.5, full with filter is right at 4 quarts. My idea was to be slightly thicker than 5w30, but not quite 5w-40. So i figured 2 qts 5w-20 + 1 qt 5w-40 + 1 qt 5w-50 would give me something like 5w-35? maybe a little lower?
lol oh my bad, thought it took 5 quarts

2-5w20
1-5w40
1-5w50
= 5w32.5

2-5w20
2-5w40
= 5w30

Last edited by zak873; May 24, 2012 at 09:39 PM. Reason: 1st grade math failed me..
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Old May 24, 2012 | 09:39 PM
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For 1 oil change, why not just add a can of STP?......it's summer time.
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Old May 24, 2012 | 09:39 PM
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Lol i did too when i first changed the oil.. Blew a few seals when i decided not to drain it as well
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Old May 24, 2012 | 09:42 PM
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Originally Posted by djb383
For 1 oil change, why not just add a can of STP?......it's summer time.
eh, I wouldn't run 5w20, summer or not lol. less viscosity.

Originally Posted by xj_maniac_newb
Lol i did too when i first changed the oil.. Blew a few seals when i decided not to drain it as well
hahaha. I would just throw in 2 quarts of 5w40 tbh..
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Old May 24, 2012 | 09:43 PM
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Originally Posted by djb383
For 1 oil change, why not just add a can of STP?......it's summer time.
Lol not to insult my own intelligence... but what does stp do? Never used oil additives so to me its just another white and blue bottle on the shelf of autozone
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Old May 24, 2012 | 09:49 PM
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Summertime in Georgia? If I had a warranty contract with someone in Fargo that just might gun the engine stone cold, I'd tell them to run 5W! (might make 70,00 on that). Myself I go toward somewhat thicker since it doesn't get so cold here. Just my .02

I might drain some and leave it in a jug for a good long time....a month, then use the top 3/4 in the Honda? Idk. again just a thought. Multy grade seems to work fine for chainsaw bar oil.
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Old May 24, 2012 | 09:57 PM
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Uuuh, I did say for just one oil change. If u want to guess at how many qts. of whatever weight oil, then guess......or, bite the bullet and correct your mistake by dumping and re-filling correctly.

A can of STP will raise the viscosity. Ever seen the STP screw driver test? It's impossible to hold on to the screw driver when dipped in STP.....dipped in just motor oil, u can hold on to it all day long.
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Old May 24, 2012 | 09:58 PM
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I was thinking that as well.. If this summer will be anything like the last (around 105* some days) then i think the thicker oil will be a much needed thank you for my little 2.5
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Old May 24, 2012 | 10:03 PM
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Originally Posted by djb383
If u want to guess at how many qts. of whatever weight oil, then guess......
not guessing. its simple math..
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Old May 24, 2012 | 10:06 PM
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An engineer buddy of my dads thought STP was "pure petroleum". ?? so I just looked at wikipedia>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_crude_oil

Agreeing with Djb...it would just work to thicken regular oil. More longer polymer chains maybe. No idea myself about mixing it with synthetic.
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