New Montero Sport owner with an oil question

[GrantC]

Just bought an incredibly good condition '97 Sport with 101k miles. No wear anyplace, maintenance was done religiously (and shows.)

One question: what oil to use in the 3.0l engine? Previous owner used 10w-40, but I've also heard 10w-30. Owner's manual doesn't say (??), and nothing on any of the stickers under the hood.

What are you running in yours?

 

[rxinhed]

I would say that either will present no problem for you. 10-40 for summer, 10-30 for winter? Won't make much difference.

 

[off-roader]

I seriously doubt the manual doesn't say. I'd check it again if it were me. Or call the closest dealer and ask to speak with the service dept.

 

[GrantC]

Off-Roader: It doesn't. Anywhere. Yes, I've checked, double-checked, and quadruple-checked. All it specifies is the API service designation, which of course doesn't specify viscosity. Local dealer said "yeah, I think you can use 10w-40" - not exactly confidence inspiring! (Maybe I should call a not-so-local dealer...)

 

[kuroi]

10w40 is perfectly fine as long as it doesnt get super cold where you are

Here's some interesting info on viscosity.
http://www.upmpg.com/tech_articles/motoroil_viscosity/index.html

 

[GrantC]

Interesting article - thanks! Here in the Pacific Northwest, it's unusual to get much below freezing, and then not very often; it's rare to get below 25degF.

 

[GrassCat]

Mitsubishi recommends using 5W-30 engine oil. Use a Mitsubishi oil filter also, they are priced right.

 

[GrantC]

One dealer has said 10w-30, the other 10w-40 - and now this!

Is the 5w-30 actually printed anywhere "official"?

 

[GrassCat]

Yes it's in the book under maintenance. You can also use 10w-30w, but the 5w-30w is preferred.

You can also do a Google search. Look for "engine oil weight for you vehicle".

 

[Clem]

Oil

All GrassCat's info is in the manual. Attached is a page from the 1998 FSM for the Montero (not sport). I assume the sport would be similar.

 

[GrantC]

Thanks; that information IS NOT in the Owner's Manual, which is the only "book" I have at present. I've ordered up a FSM, but it hasn't arrived.

 

[Clem]

FSM

Download the FSM here...http://www.mitsubishilinks.com/

Looks like he has the sport for 1999-2002

HTH

Clem

 

[off-roader]

Thanks; that information IS NOT in the Owner's Manual, which is the only "book" I have at present. I've ordered up a FSM, but it hasn't arrived.

Unless your owners manual was damaged, or modified, it suspect you just missed it. Or your looking at some other documentation like the tire requirements or something else. IIRC, by law it has to be in there. In my 96 Montero owners manual it's in the maintenance section near the back of the manual.

 

[GrantC]

Couldn't figure out why everyone is telling me this is in the owner's manual - until Off-Roader gave me a clue: I looked closely at the page numbers in the Maintenance section, and there are 4 missing (the binding glue is dry and cracking.) Went poking around in the depths of the glove compartment, and I found the missing pages! They are now glued back into the manual. Thanks for the tip!

Yes, I now see it. Of course, I also see it in the nearly pristine FSM set that arrived yesterday, courtesy of eBay! I feel better now...

I'm going to run 5w-30 this winter (the next oil change), then in the summer I'll switch to 10w-30 (only because I have 6 5-qt jugs of the stuff to use up. Once that's gone, I'll use 5w-30 exclusively.) Any problems with that plan?

 

[off-roader]

Any problems with that plan?

Should be fine. Also assuming you're using quality dino oil, you know you can likely wait until 5K miles between changes instead of the old school 3k miles right? To be even more sure, you can always have an oil analysis done to find out exactly how long you can go between changes.