1st Oil Change and viscosity question for wintertime in New England

[WhatAboutBob]

I have about 400 miles on my new Telluride and been jumping into the different Telluride forums and reddit. I came across a post about The Motor Oil Geek on YouTube and doing the first oil change at 500 miles and then he did an additional one prior to the first official mileage based one.

I thought it was a fascinating concept I had never really thought about. I do remember my cars from 2000 needing an early change due to them having break-in oil, but when we got my wife's two new cars after that (Suburu Outback & VW Alltrack) I don't recall an early oil change.

I plan to follow the Extreme Driving oil change recommendations of every 5000 miles, since I plan to keep this vehicle for a long time unless it has issues. Currently I work from home with an occasional drive to a data center. If I switch jobs and wind up driving into the Boston Metro area it would definitely fall in the Extreme Driving based on typical rush hour (or lack there of) congestion.

Does anyone know what oil the Kia Dealers use or is it a regional thing? Someone had posted high moly content for an oil sample they analyzed which led some to speculate the initial oil was break-in oil, but I find it hard to imagine break-in oil going 8000 miles...

As for oil for those in the winter climates, the manual showed using a Full Synthetic SAE 5W-30, ACEA A5 for the oil. For the temperature range on page 9-9, I am not sure I am reading this right for the Temperature Range for SAE Viscosity Numbers of 5W-30 between roughly 36F - 64F for the white box in the middle with the black box extending from -30C to the white box then the white box to 50C (120F).

Does that mean 5W-30 is good from -30C to 50C?

If not, what's a good Viscosity for this vehicle for the New England winters?

 

[MrMCar]

Ho boy, an oil discussion. These can get heated. Owing to preferences and experiences over the years...

Break in oils; a thing of the past when it comes to modern automobile manufacturing. Manufacturing tolerances and cleanliness of bits and pieces (post machining) are just incredible anymore.
I'm old school, I also owned a shop where we built several E30, E36 & E46 M3 engines a year. As clean as we were and my machinist, we couldn't approach the OEM's. Therefore it was Shell Rotella 5-40 for 500 mile break in, then the same with new filter for 1,000 miles. Then a valve adjustment and onto synthetic.

I'm hyper-conscious about oils as a former shop owner. I did change mine at 1,000 then at the fives 5, 10, 15,000 miles after that. Easy to remember

The Pennzoil 5-30 AECA A5 is a perfect oil. High quality. Nice additive package (Pennzoil always had that part) and fits everything in the USA except Alaska during the winter. I sold/used mostly Fuchs oil, Liqui-Moly or Total for those weird & special weights.
Having used Pennzoil with great satisfaction in the past, I had no issues with using it for my Telly.

I used to buy in bulk. The Pennzoil factory program was just amazing. Clean trucks with very neat, clean and professional drivers. Every time they came to the shop to top off my bulk tanks, they wanted to know if I wanted to see the supply? Did I want a sample in a glass jug prior to filling my tanks (for each weight) for sampling. Just incredible.
Having other companies provide an inferior product to what the label stated (Known in the business as: Misrepresenting the Product) was very much appreciated.

P.S. Want to keep your warranty? Use "Approved" not recommended oils and genuine filters. Keep the receipts and jot down the mileage. Then you're covered under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

 

[MrMCar]

I'm going to ask a question here. One that perhaps few know the real answer to.
I'm aware that Kia signed up with TotalEnergies (used to be just Total) to be the official oil supplier and (?) factory fill.

Q1: Is it mandatory that each dealer buy motor oil (often all lubricants) from TotalEnergies distribution network? Conversely; Is buying from TotalEnergies Highly recommended and not strictly enforced?

Do you know (Question goes out to all that are reading this) if YOUR dealer is using "factory fill"?

Q2: If you go to the parts counter at your dealer and ask for a quart of the recommended 5W-30 for your car; what are they selling you?

Total does have a wholesale bulk oil program. They've visited my shop enough in an attempt to attract my business. I'm unsure if they have complete N. America coverage? They are a French company expanding into the N. American market, as of late.

Maybe I should start a poll?

 

[Senator20]

5w30 will be fine.