Car Talk Community Forum

Mike: It should be federal law that any vehicle with an engine or motor in it, even if classified as legally autonomous, for private or commercial use, should have someone occupying the command position. Of course, that should be common sense.

Well, that’s what “My father said” to use, and that was in 1990, around the time I was driving the '81 Century. My Google search results match your statements about 10W30. Drove it for six years retatively trouble-free, being it was an estate car with under 5,000m(8,000km) on the clock. Oil, two sets of tires, one A/C recharge, one set of sparkplugs, is all.

This is like the red flag laws for steam carriages and petrol autos in England in the late 1800s. 4mph limit in the country, 2 mph limit in the city, both preceded by a person walking ahead waving a red flag or red lantern. This was so everyone would be warned about noisy autos. Repealed in 1896.

Old-Days-Rick: Wouldn’t a 0w30 have the same amount of viscosity. Modifiers? Not with synthetic engine oil, there is a difference in oil from the 1980’s and the wide viscosity ranges offered today. I didn’t see 0W30 on the old General Motors charts. This is for 1985 Chevrolet:

Nevada_545: 10W40 was not “required” in 1981, it was discouraged. 10W40 contains a high level of viscosity modifiers, this can lead to clogged piston ring groves Wouldn’t a 0w30 have the same amount of viscosity. Modifiers?

Purebred: Not familiar with it. Is it like Carfax? The thing to remember these services rely on what is reported to them. DMV information is not reported to vehicle history services, they obtain that information. Purebred: On the other hand a service might be reported, but that will not tell you if correct parts or fluids used. Then vehicle history research is pointless, if you can’t get 100% accurate information, you will be disappointed. Buy and enjoy the vehicle like most other used car buyers. After all, most vehicle history reports are boring and only confuse people. The only people that will join this forum have something to promote.

10W40 was not “required” in 1981, it was discouraged. 10W40 contains a high level of viscosity modifiers, this can lead to clogged piston ring groves. For most cars during the 1980’s, 5W30 and 10W30 were recommended as per the owner’s manual. This is from a General Motors service bulletin:

Nevada_545: You were probably using the wrong viscosity oil, was this a vehicle from the 1960’s? '71 Chevelle in high school, '81 Buick Century in college

@Old-Days-Rick you okay?

bing: Different cars for different markets but i remain unconvinced that the execs know as much as they think they know. Sounds like you miss your Oldsmobile (automobile markets have changed).

Old-Days-Rick: I put 0w30 and after 500 miles everything is A-OK and I really believe the engine is a tad quieter. I put 5W20 in my 1998 Dodge Ram and everything was OK for 3000 miles, the engine was quiet, the sky was blue… No different than 10W30. ChrisTheTireWhisperer: I’m so old my first two cars required 10w40 oil! You were probably using the wrong viscosity oil, was this a vehicle from the 1960’s?

Back in 1972 i worked for AAA. They required that magnetic signs be placed on the doors of my relatively new car. When they were removed, tiny bubbles had formed underneath. I didnt know then what i know now about paint restoration so dont know what would have been required, but id be careful about anything covering factory paint.