What is the recommended oil for the 2.2 engine?

[carl_g]

I don't have the manual and asume 10w30 or 10w40 is ok but does anyone kow what the owner's manual recommends?

Thanks,

Carl

[89ARIES]

Hi Carl,

I really should know better, but have always assumed 10W-30 was fine. I have used it on this car since the beginning, and is running
okay at 208,000 original miles. I am debating on switching to a high mileage 20W-50. Not sure.

[capev86]

old cars/warm climates....10w-30. in colder climates (and many late model cars....5w-30 is satisfactory

i buy 5qt jugs of Supertech Synthetic 5w-30 at Walmart for the daily drivers. It meets all the required specifications and it is a full synthetic so it protects better than dino juice. racking up 5 to 6,000 miles on an oil change doesn't worry me. When you do all your own oil changes, you can run better stuff for cheaper than the local shop will charge you for the basic. I do run $$$ synthetics (R/P, Mobil 1) in the toys (1972 Suburban, 1986 Aries K wagon 2.5 T2, vintage Honda motorcycles, etc) in whatever grade originally specified.

[carl_g]

Thanks to you both!

[89ARIES]

My only concern about that is I have heard rumors then switching to synthetic oil on a high mileage car suddenly causes
more leaks, as the seals begin to go bad from the oil.

[carl_g]

I have heard this as well. I think a copromise is going to be a synthetic "blend" oil.

[SuperK]

Oil choices can be a personal choice.
Every situation is different and the recommended oils are a good baseline to follow,but what works in severe service may not work for a car that is lightly driven on occasion.
I agree with carl_g a blend would be best.
A full synthetic would not be suited for a high mileage 2.2L.
A freshly rebuilt motor yes,but not anything with some wear on it.
The tolerances of today's new engine are tighter compared to the older technology of the 80's.
Hence the complaints of oil leaks with synthetic oils.

I run 10W30 Pennzoil High Mileage semi synthetic blend.
For the earlier carbureted 2.2's with flat tappets,I find it works well since it contains more zinc,and has a formula to reduce sludge build up,and also minimizes oil burning/consumption.
When I first bought my K,it had wicked blow-by.
After switching to the high mileage blend,the blow-by stopped.
Despite only having 90,000 miles on it,my K did a ton of sitting over the 30 years before I owned it.

Well that's my personal experience and hope it helps you decide what oil is right for your application.

[89ARIES]

Thankyou Super K. How about my K-car, original 1989 Dodge Aries 2.5 Liter with 209,000 original miles. Compression 150,140,125,125, and lower when cold.

[SuperK]

Thankyou Super K. How about my K-car, original 1989 Dodge Aries 2.5 Liter with 209,000 original miles. Compression 150,140,125,125, and lower when cold.

Again go with a High mileage formula and try 15w40 weight. Hope this helps.