M3 in winter

[KevM2]

Really contemplating buying an E92 M3 but I live in Canada where winter can get as cold as -40 Celsius... anybody on this forum use their M3 in those temperatures and if so, what oil do you use? I think the recommended 10w60 would definitely destroy the engine at cold start in those temperatures and I don't believe any thinner oil is recommended for that engine which means that I basically would not be able to drive an M3 during winter months.

[pbonsalb]

-40C is -40F. That is cold. You should run an oil pan heater or park in a heated garage. Use 0W40 oil. I use 0W40 or 5W40 year round. It’s fine unless you live in a very hot area. In my area, we get temps as low as -10F or -22C. More with windchill. I drive my 08M3.

[KevM2]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

-40C is -40F. That is cold. You should run an oil pan heater or park in a heated garage. Use 0W40 oil. I use 0W40 or 5W40 year round. It's fine unless you live in a very hot area. In my area, we get temps as low as -10F or -22C. More with windchill. I drive my 08M3.

Ya I would definitely add an oil pan heater. It's good to hear that a lower viscosity oil can be safely used in that engine. Being that the rod bearings are already an issue with these engines, I didn't want to make them more prone to failure

[pbonsalb]

Oil weight is a controversial subject. I changed my bearings in 2014 and have been running 0W40 or 5W40 since. But I don’t track or live in the desert.

[KevM2]

Good to know! I would definitely switch to 5w40 or 0w40 for January to March and keep the revs on the lower side

[pbonsalb]

I still go to 8600 rpm with 0W40 or 5W40.

[WingZeroX5]

Im on the 5W-40 T6

[PAM3Guy]

The manual does stipulate you can run different spec oil if you live in very cold climates, but it doesn't say exactly what to run. Clearly some have had good success as above.

I don't have temps that low in Philly, but we do get into low single digits F here, and I run all winter on 10W-60 (and winter tires, obviously).

[GORDON.M3]

10w60 is not a problem. I have been running it all winter and Blackstone UOA looks clean as a whistle.
I just use an oil additive like Ceratec or Molyslip.
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1504102

[pbonsalb]

Park outside with 10W60 in -40F and then try to start your car. Even at 0F there is an audible cranking speed difference between 10W60 and 0W40.

[GORDON.M3]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Park outside with 10W60 in -40F and then try to start your car. Even at 0F there is an audible cranking speed difference between 10W60 and 0W40.

My car is always parked outside, of course, there is an audible cranking speed difference but that doesn't correlate to wear or damage being done to the engine. Haven't had an issue.
I've even seen the oil tests when people leave bottles of 10w60 vs 0w40 outside. Yes, the 10w60 looks like its heavier and harder to move around but it doesn't mean its lubricating the engine any less than 0w40.

[pbonsalb]

Where do you live? I am in NH. We don’t get -40F like the OP but I was starting my car outdoors in -10F or even a little worse sometimes last winter. This the real temp not windchill.

It’s only a cold start issue. Once the engine is warm, mist oils lubricate fine. But most wear occurs on startup. Nothing will be a problem for years.

My point was more that the engine probably won’t even start in -40F with 10W60. The battery is weak and the oil thick at that temp.

[Sandye90m3]

I have and there is no issue, car is really good in the winter because of the electronic traction control / stability control, LSD and 245 winter tires.

You can make the car even better with 235 winter tires with a 20mm spacer. And it's also a lot of fun.

[xcusem3]

You guys are over paranoid haha I live in Canada as well and I've driven my m3 every winter since I bought it new in 2013 and it's been on 10-60 the entire time with no issues whatsoever, just take her easy on the revs until it's fully warmed up and you'll be fine OP.

[PAM3Guy]

MRV (cold viscosity) is obviously thicker at lower temps, but the pour point for Castrol 10W-60 is -39C, so you should be fine. I think similar for Mobil 1 10W-60, etc.

[kyoo]

-40? wtf?

[dparm]

Originally Posted by GORDON.M3

My car is always parked outside, of course, there is an audible cranking speed difference but that doesn't correlate to wear or damage being done to the engine. Haven't had an issue.
I've even seen the oil tests when people leave bottles of 10w60 vs 0w40 outside. Yes, the 10w60 looks like its heavier and harder to move around but it doesn't mean its lubricating the engine any less than 0w40.

Correct. Pour point is pointless. Oil is PUMPED out of the pan, so look at MRV/CCS numbers.