oil consumption

[nfpgasmask]

Cool, yeah, I'm just under 27,000 miles. I was planning to do another change within the next week. Might as well be tomorrow. If you mix 5W-30 and 10W-30 does it mess anything up? I just want to know so I dont make any stupid mistakes. I guess I will go ahead and gitterdun tomorrow.

Thanks - Bart

nfpgasmask,
Not sure how many miles are on your VX in total, but since you just switched to Synthetic, you may want to change your oil again now that you have put 1500 miles on the VX with Synthetic in the crankcase. I believe Synthetics have a very high detergent level that "cleans" the inside of the engine. So, switching from "normal" oil to Synthetic, it is suggested that you change your oil sooner than normal the first time after switching due to all of the "stuff" being cleaned out from inside your engine and getting caught in the filter. Just a heads up on this, as this is what I did when I switched all of my vehicles to Synthetic.
Changing the PCV is definitely a good idea as well, and 5W-30 is fine, but living in Chicago during the summer, you can go with 10W-30 for summer months, and 5W-30 during winter months. This is what I do anyway.

[TechnoPope]

mbeach,
Thanks for the info. I had it backwards. I hope the Proton owner I talked to reads your post. I might need some service soon too. I will check out Hatfield's first. Thanks again.

[blacksambo]

In our two '99's we are running Mobil 1 5w-30 truck and suv blend; up from Mobil1 0w-30 and are getting quieter and more peppy performance. They both cost the same $21.38 for a five quart container that makes a handy dirty oil repository after you change it. This seems to be a good summer oil alternative. I will keep you posted on the mileage which is running close to 20mpg, but we're talking summer temperatures here and that always is better for mileage than winter.

[psychos2]

The 0W30 or 5W30 are for cold starting like in the winter.The summer months are 10W30 , 10W40 , or 20W50. shawn

[Tone]

I run 0W40 all year but that is what MB recommends. In the VX Manual it gives recommendations on what weight to use based on temps to be experienced before the next oil change.

[mbeach]

I had an "Isuzu Tech" (whatever that means nowadays) tell me to switch to 0W30 to quiet the engine down. It worked great, and I've done it to both of our VXs, as well as recommended it to two other VX drivers. It worked for each of them too.

I've started running 5W20, as it's generally more readily available (Mobil 1).

[nfpgasmask]

OK, so I got a PCV Valve from AutoZone this morning. I got a Deutsch PCV-193. I am pretty sure this is the right valve because they only had one left, and they had to go dig around in the stock room to find it (sounds like a VX part for sure). Its a little blue and brown job, only cost $4 and change.

So, I will be getting my oil changed again today after 1500 miles since my switch to Mobile 1 full synth. When I get home I will change out the valve and see how that goes.

Thanks to everyone for all the input here -

Bart