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Thread: Should you still plug in if you use synthetic oil?

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    Default Should you still plug in if you use synthetic oil?

    Of course it depends on just how cold we're talking about, but even if it's -30 like today, the synthetic oil shouldn't be sludge. So, does that mean it's at least somewhat unnecessary to use the block heater?

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    If you're battery is strong enough you dont need a block heater

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    It depends 100% on the type of synthetic oil. Some synthetics wont pour any better than regular at these low temps.

    Plugging in, if its available, is usually preferable.

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    Quote Originally Posted by revelations View Post
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    It depends 100% on the type of synthetic oil. Some synthetics wont pour any better than regular at these low temps.
    WTH? I thought that was one of the main selling points of synthetic.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Seth1968 View Post
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    WTH? I thought that was one of the main selling points of synthetic.
    Most common synthetics have a pour point lower than any temperature Calgary ever gets to

    http://highperformancejunkies.com/5w30-oil-comparison/

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mitsu3000gt View Post
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    Most common synthetics have a pour point lower than any temperature Calgary ever gets to

    http://highperformancejunkies.com/5w30-oil-comparison/
    Whew. That makes me feel better

    Still, I would never have imagined a range of 20 degrees.

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    Quote Originally Posted by G-ZUS View Post
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    If you're battery is strong enough you dont need a block heater
    Quote Originally Posted by revelations View Post
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    Plugging in, if its available, is usually preferable.
    Please splain.

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    Plugging in your car will always help reduce wear since the oil will be warm and it won’t take so long to get to operating temp. I don’t think it’s necessary though. Didn’t have any trouble with my 200k km ‘88 civic that was never plugged in.

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    Aren't most block heater plugs in the coolant system anyway? So unless you have one of those oil pan heater pads, like the wolverines, the residual heat from the block plug probably won't affect engine oil viscosity.

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    Quote Originally Posted by EF9 Sedan View Post
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    Plugging in your car will always help reduce wear since the oil will be warm and it won’t take so long to get to operating temp.
    Well that depends on the type of oil. I just want to know if it's necessary to plug it in if you use a synthetic oil that retains it's viscosity even if it's let's say -30. It doesn't seem to be necessary, but I just want to make sure I'm not missing something.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Seth1968 View Post
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    WTH? I thought that was one of the main selling points of synthetic.
    Main point?? Where did you that information?

    Its not like 100% of synthetics will pour better than regular oils at low temperatures. So many factors to consider.

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    After my experience today, I will absolutely be plugging in when its cold. Its just easier on the vehicle. running mobil1 in my truck and she wouldn't start.. mind you it was possibly in combination with the battery, but -40 really took a toll on my v8.

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    My Murano started no problem, but there were some other loud signs for the first 5-7 mins lol... Coming from around the front belt areas, yikes... Went away though and have never heard it other than in this temp.

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    Fairly certain with the pour point depressants in conventional oil there is very little difference between the pour point of new synthetic vs new conventional. Now high mileage conventional vs high mileage synthetic is a different story.

    Either way, plugging in when it’s this cold will do nothing but good things.

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    If you want oil that's thinner at startup get an oil witha lower xW specification. All 5w-30 oils fall within a reasonably narrow range. Sure some so-called synthetic oils (another meaningless distinction) may be slightly less viscous but the difference isn't meaningful no matter what the YouTube scientists say.

    Buy the oil specified for your engine, maintain your battery, and plug in if you feel like it. That's the bottom line.
    Quote Originally Posted by killramos View Post
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    You realize you are talking to the guy who made his own furniture out of salad bowls right?

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    Also bought an onboard Noco battery charger for my truck that I plug in along with the block heater, works wonders!

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    Battery maintainer is more important than block heater imo. I rarely plug my vehicles in but I always hook up the battery tender if I do.
    Quote Originally Posted by killramos View Post
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    You realize you are talking to the guy who made his own furniture out of salad bowls right?

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    Quote Originally Posted by EF9 Sedan View Post
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    Plugging in your car will always help reduce wear since the oil will be warm and it won’t take so long to get to operating temp. I don’t think it’s necessary though. Didn’t have any trouble with my 200k km ‘88 civic that was never plugged in.
    Myth. Block heaters are coolant based and provide very little warmth to the oil pan. Want to warm up your pan? Use a pan heater.

    Block heaters just allow the block to be a bit warmer to help in the cabin temps.

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    Quote Originally Posted by firebane View Post
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    Myth. Block heaters are coolant based and provide very little warmth to the oil pan. Want to warm up your pan? Use a pan heater.

    Block heaters just allow the block to be a bit warmer to help in the cabin temps.
    He’s partially right though. Although a block heater doesn’t heat the oil directly and very little conduction heat will make it to the pan it absolutely will (indirectly) get the oil up to operating temperature more quickly.

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    Quote Originally Posted by firebane View Post
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    Myth. Block heaters are coolant based and provide very little warmth to the oil pan. Want to warm up your pan? Use a pan heater.

    Block heaters just allow the block to be a bit warmer to help in the cabin temps.
    That was my debate as well - block heater vs pan heater. In the end I chose pan heater because it was simpler. I did find that it helped warm up the car slightly faster than not though (on the morning I forgot to turn on the heater).

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