Redline 5w40 vs 10w40 | FerrariChat
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Redline 5w40 vs 10w40

Discussion in '348/355' started by hbk_bkk, Sep 7, 2013.

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  1. hbk_bkk

    hbk_bkk Rookie

    Jan 16, 2012
    26
    Norman Park, GA
    Full Name:
    Barry
    #1 hbk_bkk, Sep 7, 2013
    I'm getting ready to do the oil change in my 1996 Ferrari F355. I'm planning on going with Redline oil. Owner's manual specifies 5w40, but I've seen a lot of people post that they are running 10w40.

    I live in Georgia. 8 months of the year the temp is between 80-100. Winter it's 50-70 usually.

    What does everyone think 5w40 or 10w40, and why?

    Also, would there be any benefit of going with the Euro-Series?
     
  2. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,631
    #2 Mitch Alsup, Sep 7, 2013
    If you are not taking the car to the track, it really doesn't mater. At operating temperatures (water 210dF, oil 230dF) both 5W-40 and 10W-40 (or any xxW-40) oil will have the same actual viscosity (about 15 centiStokes). At startup with moderate temperatures, the difference in the 3 oils (5W-40 97 centiStokes, Euro 5W-40 91 cSt, 10W-40 97 cSt) are all so close it really does not mater.

    If you are taking the car to the track the only thing that maters is the oil temperature guage. If the oil you are using never gets abovve 280dF* then you can stick with a xxW-40 weight oil.

    Also, at the track, one changes from looking at the weight of the oil (xxW-yy) to the HTHS number. Of the 3 oils in question (5W-40 4.4 centiPoise, Euro 5W-40 4.3 cP, 10W-40 4.4 cP) are also so close it really doesn't mater.

    The NOACK and flash points are also similar that it really does not amter, either. RedLine used to advertise ZDDP levels and apparently has stopped this. This may be an important number for 1990s engine technology from Ferrari (direct acvtuated Valves). I like oils with 1100 ppm of ZDDP most of the SN oils are down in the 800ppm range.

    (*) the oil temperature redline is 305dF on the guage where the engine with Shell Helix 5W-40 oil will have a substantially reduced lifetime. This corresponds to 3.7cP for Shell Helix. As an oil get hotter, every 25dF in temperature rise, you want 1 more grade-weight of oil weigth to maintian the same operating viscosity (cSt or cP). And it is operating viscosity that protects the motor.

    There is some debate as to whether to quit running a car hard at 280dF or even 265dF in order to preserve long life of the motor. But if you are NOT seeing long term temperatures above this range, the motor is not suffering with the oil choice. In street use it is very difficult to get an F355 into this temperature range even in the midst of 105dF Texas summers.
     
  3. saw1998

    saw1998 F1 Veteran

    Jun 8, 2008
    8,237
    San Antonio, Texas
    Full Name:
    Scott
    #3 saw1998, Sep 7, 2013
    Mitch:

    What are you running in your F355?
     
  4. hbk_bkk

    hbk_bkk Rookie

    Jan 16, 2012
    26
    Norman Park, GA
    Full Name:
    Barry
    #4 hbk_bkk, Sep 7, 2013
    Currently running Quaker State Q Horsepower 5w40.
     
  5. hbk_bkk

    hbk_bkk Rookie

    Jan 16, 2012
    26
    Norman Park, GA
    Full Name:
    Barry
    #5 hbk_bkk, Sep 7, 2013
    Thanks for the thorough explanation!
     
  6. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,631
    #6 Mitch Alsup, Sep 8, 2013
    I am currently running Mobil 1 5W040 TDT (for the ZDDP),
    although I prefer RedLine for track use after adding RL Engine breakin fluid (which is mostly ZDDP) up to the 1200ppm level.
     

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