What Oil For A 1972 Beetle?

[jeep-neil]

this is probably a dumb question but what wieght oil is needed for a 1972 beetle?  

[silas]

where do you live and what is the climate like?

i use penzoil 10w30 in my 1600dp 365 days a year and it seems to work great. the motor runs smooth and at a good temp during vancouver city driving and long hauls (seattle, vancouver island). every time i stop for gas i check the oil level, feel it to make sure it's still \"slippery\", smell it, and then i always check it for foriegn particles when i change it out (every 2500 miles).

[jeep-neil]

i live in port coquitlam so i ahve the same climate ill use 10w30 thanks for the help i appreciate it,

[Bruce]

10W-30 is good, however, at this time of year you can very safely use 5W-30, or 5W-20.  You're gonna change it out long before it gets warm around here again.

[steveo_32]

Well, just because this is started Im going to ask why not 30w like Vdub used from the factory?
I see you too bruce say multi grade oil?
Whats your belief.
Cheers

[Bruce]

Everything VW recommeded 30+ years ago should be ignored.  Oil has improved dramatically since then, why wouldn't you want to take advantage of the advance in technology?

The reason VW recommended against multi grade oil back then was cost.  At that time multi grade oil was a few pennies more expensive than mono grade.  Since the car was an ECONOMY car, cost was a major concern in their eyes.  This is exactly the same reason VW recommended against radial tires.

In the early 80s, I struggled with mono grade in the winter.  Straight 20 was so damn thick, the starter couldn't get the engine going fast enough to fire.  You had to continuously change your oil to compensate for the weather.  In -20

[steveo_32]

Cool!