How can I use 5w-20?

[twentynine]

Came by a generous supply of 74 quarts,5w-20 QS QTorque 4X4 full synthetic @ $95 each. Being the oil junkie that I am, I now have a supply of 5w-20 motor oil. One catch! Nothing I own, nor, anything I change oil in is specked for 5w-20. Closest thing I have is an '04 1500 Dodge P/U with a Hemi. In '04 it was specked 5w-30 but in '05 the Hemi was specked 5w-20. Also for some of the Hemis with the lifter tap 5w-20 was prescribed as the cure. So I have no problem using 5w-20 on the Hemi.

However the other autos need some thought, being that I am opened minded concerning 5w-20 I figured I'd ask for opinions and advice.

What about:

Pontiac Sunfire- 4 cylinder- specked 5w-30
Mazda 626- 4 cylinder- specked 10w-30
Toyota Celica- 4 cylinder- specked 10w-30
Yanmar Tractor- 2 cylinder diesel- specked 30w HD
Volvo V50- 5 cylinder- specked ? (haven't done it yet)

So what is the verdict? Frankly I am for trying the 5w-20 in the Volvo, Pontiac and Dodge, I have no doubt it would work very well. The Mazda and the Toyota are older cars with lots of miles on them, maybe the engines are a little bit more worn.

 

[ChiTDI]

You could buy a new Ford or Honda!

 

[02zx9r]

You got hosed royally!

I would say you can safely use the very expensive 5W20 oil you got for the pontiac, mazda, and toyota no problems.

Wow i hope it works out for you.

( i know it was a typo, should be .95 CENTS per quart)

 

[PandaBear]

Just blend it in with some 5w40 or 10w40, and use them till you finishes.

Or if they are in quart bottle instead of a drum, post a thread on craigslist and trade with someone that has 10w30 or 5w30. You will take a hit and may end up with dino intead of synthetic.

 

[Dyoel182]

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Just blend it in with some 5w40 or 10w40, and use them till you finishes.


Thats what I did with all my old autozone discontinued oils that were marked for disposal. 2 years later its all gone and I'm kinda sad about it.

 

[40ford]

You can do a 50/50 blend with 5w-30 and come up with a 5w-25. there are several ways to use it up. Or do like PandaBear said.

40ford

 

[twentynine]

Originally Posted By: 02zx9r
You got hosed royally!

I would say you can safely use the very expensive 5W20 oil you got for the pontiac, mazda, and toyota no problems.

Wow i hope it works out for you.

( i know it was a typo, should be .95 CENTS per quart)



That is funny!

I always make some sort of typo!

 

[dave1251]

The Yota and Sunfire should be good to go on the 5W-20 as long as there are no major issues with your engine.

 

[REDDOG]

I would at least try the 5w-20 in all of the vehicles that originally speced a 30wt except the tractor. Confirm it's working with a UOA. I bet it will work well.

 

[Drew99GT]

Maybe, don't spend 70 bucks on an oil not speced for anything you own?

If you have warranty on any of them, I'd for sure not use the 5w-20 if you want coverage.

 

[PT1]

Everybody knows someone with a Honda. Sell it all for $100.

Too bad you are so far away or I would give you $100 for all of it.

 

[REDDOG]

At that price, twentynine, I wouldn't have been able to pass it up either! My prediction is it works well in your applications, on the cheap!

 

[Drivebelt]

Just get some 15W-40 and blend it 3:1 … 3 parts 5W-20 and 1 part 15W-40.

Should end up somewhere in the range of a 10W-30, and you'll have a synthetic-blend with 75% synthetic.

QS TP 5W-20 … … 8.15 cSt … (x 0.75)
Some 15W-40 … 15.0 cSt … (x 0.25)

Blend ~ ……………9.86 cSt

Just add a little more 15W-40 to get it between 10.0-11.0 cSt. … (30 weight = 9.3 - 12.5cSt).

 

[twentynine]

Thanks guys for all the answers.

Ya'll have pretty much confirmed my thoughts on the subject. My plan is to give it a try in the Dodge, Pontiac and Toyota, I really think it will not show any difference between 5w-20 and 5w-30 in these services.

Drew99GT
I don't think I would have to worry about oil related engine failure, if I did, I would not have purchased this oil in the first place. My experience with auto warranty is usually the dealer just fixes what's wrong, getting a happy customer back on the road. While I am sure it might happen, I have not seen a dealer do any type of oil analyzing, of course as I said I have never had a engine or tranny failure.
Have you ever had first hand experience with warranty denial, due to owner abuse or incorrect maintenance? I haven't!

 

[hominid7]

The local Mazda dealer in town puts 5w20 in everything that comes in the door, including 626's, regardless of the fact the engine is not spec'd for it.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: twentynine

Have you ever had first hand experience with warranty denial due to incorrect maintenance? I haven't!



No, but a few people here have!

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: REDDOG
I would at least try the 5w-20 in all of the vehicles that originally speced a 30wt except the tractor. Confirm it's working with a UOA. I bet it will work well.


I couldn't agree more. I doubt any of those vehicle engines would know the difference between a 5 or 10w30 and that 5w20. As far as possible warranty issues? I'd like to see a dealership prove you had 5w20 in the sump anyway.

Joel

 

[Hootbro]

Originally Posted By: JTK
........ As far as possible warranty issues? I'd like to see a dealership prove you had 5w20 in the sump anyway.

Joel


It is SOP for most engine failure warranty work for the dealer to drain and send in a UOA. They will find out what weight oil was used and the condition of it. The next issue would be to prove the incorrect weight caused and/or contributed to the failure.

hootbro

 

[lewk]

how about getting denied for a warranty claim because your truck was to "dirty"! this was a no par,err... Mopar dealership!

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Hootbro
..It is SOP for most engine failure warranty work for the dealer to drain and send in a UOA. They will find out what weight oil was used and the condition of it. The next issue would be to prove the incorrect weight caused and/or contributed to the failure.

hootbro


I highly doubt a UOA will pinpoint with 100% accuracy what viscosity range the oil was when it was added new. Especially if you can produce adequate receipts showing oil in the viscosity you 'should' be using.

Joel