Originally Posted By: Red91
Just curious....why is 20W-50 so unpopular among most members on this board? I understand that things change, and modern car makers are calling for thinner oils, but why is 20W-50 spoken of with contempt in older cars and applications? It seems it was very popular from the 80's up until the middle of the last decade. I've used it in the past and even have some I purchased recently for top off. I find no fault with it, in the right application. These days I use QSGB 5W-30, but my truck is burning some oil, and next time it needs a quart, it's getting QSGB 20W-50.
I hear what you are saying, sir, and in Alabama, I reckon you won't have any issues using 20W-50. I traveled through Birmingham once.
Just some notes on the topic:
1. Oil today is so much better of oil of the 80s, it is ridiculous. Oil started to improve in the 90s. The first obsolete grade was a tie between 10W-40 and 20W-50.
2. No one grade of oil, straight or with a W rating, fits every single application, but 0W-20 is by FAR the strongest candidate to do so.
3. Even Jaguar die-hard 20W-50 people use 0W-30 in their cars now. Mostly. They have seen the light.
4. Oil doesn't make engine parts "ride on a film of oil" or "cushion" an engine with thick oil. A discussion of engines is in order.
Cheers, sir