5W20 or 5W30 - Max Engine Life ?

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: RiceCake
Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
"CAFE!"


So you're saying getting better fuel economy and spending less money on gas is a bad thing?

Problem is its a very primitive response to assume that all change is bad. If you come across a red orange as a monkey, you'd be afraid to eat it, because its not like everything else.

Fortunately for most of us we evolved and figured things out, and tomatoes are awesome.

No, I'm arguing the point where IDIOTS that have no mechanical background knowledge still think an engine can't live on using a 5W30. I.E; "If you use 5W30 in your 5W20 spec'd engine it will blow up......It will throw a rod.......It will leave you stranded on the side of the road.........This one is for you RC,"The 5W20 police will arrest you!"
BTW, I don't like tomatoes.

 

[RiceCake]

*laughs* Ended up changing it to apples actually, because I felt it was more comparable and made a better analogy.

But you're right, there's nothing saying you can't use a 5w30.

[censored] use a 15w40 if you want to, though you're likely just wasting gas and making your car feel slow more then anything with that one

Technically though if it calls for 5W-20, you used 5w30, and you have engine troubles, even if its not tangibly related to the oil, well...

...Stealership police, them I do worry about!

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: RiceCake
So you're saying getting better fuel economy and spending less money on gas is a bad thing?

The difference between 5W20 and 5W30 is so minuscule, what will you buy with all that money you save in gas? A bushell of apples, maybe a couple lbs. of tomatoes?

Look at my signature. What wt. of oil does it read? Next OCI could be 5W30. I don't discriminate between either one.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: RiceCake
Technically though if it calls for 5W-20, you used 5w30, and you have engine troubles, even if its not tangibly related to the oil, well..

I do agree with you here.

 

[donnyj08]

i just got back from my uncles Race shop. he has 4 built 5.0l fox body cars running over 500whp. i was asking him what oil he is running in the 5.0's he builds... he said 5W20 motorcraft. he said they make more power, rev faster, run a little cooler and even after several hundred passes at the strip show nearly any wear when tore down.

he said the last 5 years he has ran all his race 87-93 5.0 H.O motors on motorcraft 5w20 and swears wear rates are lower than when he ran PYB 5w30.

 

[Merkava_4]

I've seen 5W-20 through the little window on the oil bottle sloshing
around like water... that's as close as I ever want to get to 5W-20.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: donnyj08
i just got back from my uncles Race shop. he has 4 built 5.0l fox body cars running over 500whp. i was asking him what oil he is running in the 5.0's he builds... he said 5W20 motorcraft. he said they make more power, rev faster, run a little cooler and even after several hundred passes at the strip show nearly any wear when tore down.

he said the last 5 years he has ran all his race 87-93 5.0 H.O motors on motorcraft 5w20 and swears wear rates are lower than when he ran PYB 5w30.

I have nothing against 5W20. But, I will continue to use 5W30 in my engine when I choose to. It was designed/built around 5W30 in 1996, so do the math.

 

[ChrisD46]

My 2010 Hyundai I4 engine has been around a while (I believe) and at one time perhaps was spec'd for 5W30 - now oil cap says "5W30" (CAFE?) ...Another question worth asking for a Georgia summer : How much does a 5W30 sheer ? ... Might not be too long and it drops to a 5W20 any way ?

 

[donnyj08]

I do not buy into the cafe theory. Sure thinner oils provide better fuel economy, but that isn't the only reason for the switch. The truth is 5w20 protects. Hundreds of thousands of ford modular trucks and mustangs have ran on 5w20 and lived a long long life.

Many of those engines in super duties pulling loads daily on 5w20 and living a trouble free life. 5w20 is more robust than most think.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: donnyj08
I do not buy into the cafe theory. Sure thinner oils provide better fuel economy, but that isn't the only reason for the switch. The truth is 5w20 protects. Hundreds of thousands of ford modular trucks and mustangs have ran on 5w20 and lived a long long life.

Many of those engines in super duties pulling loads daily on 5w20 and living a trouble free life. 5w20 is more robust than most think.


+1. I was using 20wt oils in the late 60s and 70s when CAFE was a place for lunch.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
5w30 is the thinnest I would go on anything. If for some reason 5w30
is too thick for an engine, I wouldn't buy the vehicle the engine is in.


Happy Birthday. But I do not miss any comments that contains almost no sense. Let us know how you came to this conclusion.

 

[Jim Allen]

Why do we have to keep having this tired old debate. All people have to do to get their basic questions answered is to Google various related topics on BITOG. You'll get a big education and then not dump gas on a fire that's almost gone out.

I challenge anyone to prove that an engine spec'ed for 5W20, and being operated in a fashion appropriate to that grade, and in the approved climate, will show any less wear with 5W30. There are isolated situations where that might be true... one size does not fit all... but largely, if the engine was spec'ed for 5W20, going thicker will not be of any benefit in terms of wear. There was a time when 5W30 was easier to get than 5W30 and that might have been a benefit ... then. Many 5W20 are more shear resistant than 5W30s.. in fact many average 5W30s have sheared to the bottom of grade or into 20 grade by the time they are done anyway. The effect on MPG may be minescule, but it's there as well.

Overall... 5W20 vs 5W30... MEH?

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: donnyj08
I do not buy into the cafe theory. Sure thinner oils provide better fuel economy, but that isn't the only reason for the switch. The truth is 5w20 protects. Hundreds of thousands of ford modular trucks and mustangs have ran on 5w20 and lived a long long life.

Many of those engines in super duties pulling loads daily on 5w20 and living a trouble free life. 5w20 is more robust than most think.

CAFE was put there for a reason, the same as 5W20 oil.
Your thinking is similar to the one's that say a 5W30 can be used instead of a 5W20. But then you turn around and defend a 5W20 over a 5W30??? You're confusing me.

Other then the CAFE statement I agree with the rest of your reply. And, as long as my engine was spec'd 5W30 years ago, and is now spec'd 5W20 for economic reasons, I still have the option to use 5W30 if I choose too, and know it won't blow up, leave me stranded, or have the 5W20 police after me.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
Why do we have to keep having this tired old debate. All people have to do to get their basic questions answered is to Google various related topics on BITOG. You'll get a big education and then not dump gas on a fire that's almost gone out.

I challenge anyone to prove that an engine spec'ed for 5W20, and being operated in a fashion appropriate to that grade, and in the approved climate, will show any less wear with 5W30. There are isolated situations where that might be true... one size does not fit all... but largely, if the engine was spec'ed for 5W20, going thicker will not be of any benefit in terms of wear. There was a time when 5W30 was easier to get than 5W30 and that might have been a benefit ... then. Many 5W20 are more shear resistant than 5W30s.. in fact many average 5W30s have sheared to the bottom of grade or into 20 grade by the time they are done anyway. The effect on MPG may be minescule, but it's there as well.

Overall... 5W20 vs 5W30... MEH?

So, which do you choose?

 

[donnyj08]

Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
I do not buy into the cafe theory. Sure thinner oils provide better fuel economy, but that isn't the only reason for the switch. The truth is 5w20 protects. Hundreds of thousands of ford modular trucks and mustangs have ran on 5w20 and lived a long long life.

Many of those engines in super duties pulling loads daily on 5w20 and living a trouble free life. 5w20 is more robust than most think.

CAFE was put there for a reason, the same as 5W20 oil.
Your thinking is similar to the one's that say a 5W30 can be used instead of a 5W20. But then you turn around and defend a 5W20 over a 5W30??? You're confusing me.

Other then the CAFE statement I agree with the rest of your reply. And, as long as my engine was spec'd 5W30 years ago, and is now spec'd 5W20 for economic reasons, I still have the option to use 5W30 if I choose too, and know it won't blow up, leave me stranded, or have the 5W20 police after me.

Because a 5w30 can be used in a 5w20 application, however it is totally unnessasary. My point is 5w20 is robust, if ford back specs and engine to 5w20 that means a 20wt is more than adequate protection. That isn't confusing at all.

I believe in 5w20's after running an 02 gt procharged using only motorcraft 5w20 which is a light 20wt oil and having excellent results. The truth is there is still room for error with a 5w20 on engines specing it. In 15 years i think 20wt will be considered a "thick" oil

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
Why do we have to keep having this tired old debate. All people have to do to get their basic questions answered is to Google various related topics on BITOG. You'll get a big education and then not dump gas on a fire that's almost gone out.

I challenge anyone to prove that an engine spec'ed for 5W20, and being operated in a fashion appropriate to that grade, and in the approved climate, will show any less wear with 5W30. There are isolated situations where that might be true... one size does not fit all... but largely, if the engine was spec'ed for 5W20, going thicker will not be of any benefit in terms of wear. There was a time when 5W30 was easier to get than 5W30 and that might have been a benefit ... then. Many 5W20 are more shear resistant than 5W30s.. in fact many average 5W30s have sheared to the bottom of grade or into 20 grade by the time they are done anyway. The effect on MPG may be minescule, but it's there as well.

Overall... 5W20 vs 5W30... MEH?

So, which do you choose?

Simply, go with what's specified; duh.

The two oil grades are identical with all dino and most syn' formulators except for the VII content. Consequently the 5W-20 grade has a lower VI and is more shear stable narrowing the viscosity difference in service even further.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: donnyj08
Because a 5w30 can be used in a 5w20 application, however it is totally unnessasary.

My theory is correct then! You are with the 5W20 police!

This is an ironic situation. I will defend "One Filter, One OCI" tooth and nail, just the same as you defend 5W20 over 5W30. Interesting. We have something in common.

(BTW, 5W20 or 5W30?)

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
I do not buy into the cafe theory. Sure thinner oils provide better fuel economy, but that isn't the only reason for the switch. The truth is 5w20 protects. Hundreds of thousands of ford modular trucks and mustangs have ran on 5w20 and lived a long long life.

Many of those engines in super duties pulling loads daily on 5w20 and living a trouble free life. 5w20 is more robust than most think.

CAFE was put there for a reason, the same as 5W20 oil.
Your thinking is similar to the one's that say a 5W30 can be used instead of a 5W20. But then you turn around and defend a 5W20 over a 5W30??? You're confusing me.

Other then the CAFE statement I agree with the rest of your reply. And, as long as my engine was spec'd 5W30 years ago, and is now spec'd 5W20 for economic reasons, I still have the option to use 5W30 if I choose too, and know it won't blow up, leave me stranded, or have the 5W20 police after me.

And 20 grade oils were factory fills in the 50's. So what does era's have to due with current specifications and testing?

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: 147_Grain
In the hotter Georgia climate, a 5w30 is preferred and will (likely) have a similar viscosity as a 20-weight oil in a state that is 20*F. cooler.


The only way to know that for sure is if you have a oil temperature gauge installed and spend quite a bit of time and money in analysis and engine tear downs. Something the manufacture has already done under more extreme circumstances than the climate of Georgia has or Texas for that matter making the recommendation to use 5W20 oils.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: dave1251
Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
I do not buy into the cafe theory. Sure thinner oils provide better fuel economy, but that isn't the only reason for the switch. The truth is 5w20 protects. Hundreds of thousands of ford modular trucks and mustangs have ran on 5w20 and lived a long long life.

Many of those engines in super duties pulling loads daily on 5w20 and living a trouble free life. 5w20 is more robust than most think.

CAFE was put there for a reason, the same as 5W20 oil.
Your thinking is similar to the one's that say a 5W30 can be used instead of a 5W20. But then you turn around and defend a 5W20 over a 5W30??? You're confusing me.

Other then the CAFE statement I agree with the rest of your reply. And, as long as my engine was spec'd 5W30 years ago, and is now spec'd 5W20 for economic reasons, I still have the option to use 5W30 if I choose too, and know it won't blow up, leave me stranded, or have the 5W20 police after me.

And 20 grade oils were factory fills in the 50's. So what does era's have to due with current specifications and testing?

Can you post that information on the 20 grade in the 50's? That sounds very interesting. Maybe it will explain why they evolved to the XX30'S, 40's, etc. later on.