Hi, I changed my oil and filter then toured France and mountainous Spain dragging a caravan for 3,200 miles. 3 miles from home (thankfully) the car went into Limp Mode. Checked the fault codes and apparently my oil was too thin. I used 5/30 synthetic oil.
I plan to return to do the same trip should I change to a different oil spec ?
Thanks

 

You received an error code that said that the oil was too thin? I've never heard of that. What was the code?

 

Next step up would be 10W-30. Europeans are fond of X something -40.
Depending on average temperature where you live/drive, a 5W-40 might work for you.
Some 5W-40s are on the thin side, Rotella is one example.

My 2¢

 

I seriously doubt the oil viscosity was to blame for the limp mode. What was the weight of the caravan?

 

Oil pressure switches operating in a set range reporting to the ECU . If the oil becomes to hot the oil pressure DTC warning could be activated. The op said he was up in the mountains the elevation and how he was driving may have heated the oil beyond the engine capacity to keep the fluid temperature's in their safe values..
So I suppose technically speaking you could say the viscosity of the oil might cause a DTC in some circumstances?
I am not even sure how I could test that without damaging an engine. LOL

 

If the oil in question is the recommended viscosity for the car, would it even be wise to try and essentially go beyond the manufacturers specs by putting a heavier weight oil in? I would be concerned about the stress on the car in general by the weight being carried. Maybe rent something larger to tow the caravan when needed?

 

First who said that anyone was going beyond the manufacture's specification? LOL Do you even understand what that means? Good forum for you to join is Bob Is The Oil Guy

BEFEOR you start in on my responses. Maybe you can post some of your questions and concerns there first but I suggest to read all the technical data available in the HOME page that is available before jumping into any thread topic.Keep a dictionary handy because they use BIG words. LOL

The key word is recommend.. It is not a wise or unwise thing to choose the what motor oil to use.

The correct way is to read if there are any "required" (not recommended) motor oils. If not then either use what is recommended or find the BEST oil viscosity based on the operating environment of the engine. Most auto manufacture use a generalized viscosity that fits most driving conditions. There are even exceptions to those basic recommendations that can be found even with MAZDA if you look.

For all reading this thread there are hundreds of threads about this concern on dozens of forum that have been talked about and even on this forum. You can at least in the US choose any oil you want to use as long as it at least meets the basic requirements if any are set and published by any auto manufacture. Other wise you are free to choose without concern to lose warranty any motor oil viscosity you deem is best or "available' to you. That is another key word is available. The reason most auto manufacture don't require a specific viscosity or brand motor oils because in some places in the USA and many parts of the world some motor oils are not available.

 

Double posted the same response. Sorry not on my computer tonight but cell phone.

 

To clarify... (because I was informed some members were butt hurt again by my posting style) the reason mentioning having a dictionary handy in my response was seriously meant for anyone . There are chemical names and procedures that unless you are a chemical engineer you may not understand or know what some of the meaning of words used are. Also some of the processes mention in some of the provided information on the home page about motor oils and other chemicals may need the reader to seek out more expanded information that some may have to research and read to understand fully what some of the technical information represents and also some of the words used.. I had to do some research after reading some of the information myself.