5w30 Throw Off VVT [ 5w20 Vehicle ] ?

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Is it possible/probable for 5w 30 to throw off VVT in a 5w20 specked vehicle ?

Is whatever controls VVT really that sensitive to such a slightly different weight. Cam phasers.

Would be using 5w30 in a 2015 F150 5.0 liter (35K miles). Likely Penzoil Platinum or Quaker State Ultimate, would probably shear down quickly anyway and be near 20w any way.

Know 5w20 is a stout oil I just believe CAFE drove its implementation more than anything. I like 5w30 or 0w30 but cant bring myself to 5w20
 
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Pretty unlikely, as they're not that far apart viscosity wise. Why do you fear 20 weights? There's more than enough experience now to show they perform just fine.
 
Heat thinning towing etc, 5w/30 or 0w/30 gives me more of a fuzzy. Know either 5w20 or 5w30 probably good out to 300K. Just wondering 5w30 would cause any harm or somebody know of the true mechanicals it could affect.

Actually ran 0w20 / 5w20 in a different vehicle for a while but gravitated back to 5w30, thinking 5w20 is 99% for CAFE. Believe manufactures care more for meeting CAFE to avoid penalties than caring about a vehicle maximum longevity 200 / 300K.

Had a different vehicle (dodge) manual said oil was 5w20 but if was not readily available 5w30 was fine (CAFE Alert, CAFE Alert).
 
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My Escape which does have VVT calls for 5w-20 but I've randomly used 5w-20, 5w-30, and 0w-30... Never any difference in performance or MPG.
 
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You could go with Pennzoil Ultra or Pennzoil Platinum in 5w30 since they are VERY close to a thick 5w20 if you're just looking for the warm and fuzzies of a 5w30.
 
Originally Posted by Fallguy
Is it possible/probable for 5w 30 to throw off VVT in a 5w20 specked vehicle ?

Is whatever controls VVT really that sensitive to such a slightly different weight. Cam phasers.

Would be using 5w30 in a 2015 F150 5.0 liter (35K miles). Likely Penzoil Platinum or Quaker State Ultimate, would probably shear down quickly anyway and be near 20w any way.

Know 5w20 is a stout oil I just believe CAFE drove its implementation more than anything. I like 5w30 or 0w30 but cant bring myself to 5w20


Oil acts like a hydraulic fluid in a VVT system so maintaining viscosity is somewhat important but i wouldn't think the diff' between a 5w20 and 5w30 would adversely effect VVT operation??

Edit: my car has CVVT and i can use a 5w20 to 10w30 no probs. I've even used 5w40 in the past.
 
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Zero cars in junkyard or repair shops due to xW30 damaging any VVTs. If there are some, then it's due to a bad design ...
On the other hand, some cars may end up in junkyard a little sooner due to using xW
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sorry ran out of ink!
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Some people would try and have you believe it would. If 5w30 messes with the VVT there are problems with the system.
 
Originally Posted by Fallguy
Is it possible/probable for 5w 30 to throw off VVT in a 5w20 specked vehicle ?

Is whatever controls VVT really that sensitive to such a slightly different weight. Cam phasers.

Would be using 5w30 in a 2015 F150 5.0 liter (35K miles). Likely Penzoil Platinum or Quaker State Ultimate, would probably shear down quickly anyway and be near 20w any way.

Know 5w20 is a stout oil I just believe CAFE drove its implementation more than anything. I like 5w30 or 0w30 but cant bring myself to 5w20


Are you saying your Owners Manual only allows for 5w20? What grades does it allow / recommend?
You can use (with confidence) any grade the manual recommends.
 
it wont make any difference whatsover. a 20 can be upto a maximum of 9.3 Cs at 100c. 30 starts at 9.300000001 Cs at 100c.

From this distinction of being above or below 9.3Cs, you can see that there is only 0.0000001 Cs difference between a 20 and a 30 - that difference in voscosity is so small as to be immeasurable.

use your 30 without any fear
 
So when reading up on this subject my OEM says it will … but once we get 100% thumbs up on this internet site … that becomes patently false.
 
Originally Posted by Olas
it wont make any difference whatsover. a 20 can be upto a maximum of 9.3 Cs at 100c. 30 starts at 9.300000001 Cs at 100c.

From this distinction of being above or below 9.3Cs, you can see that there is only 0.0000001 Cs difference between a 20 and a 30 - that difference in voscosity is so small as to be immeasurable.

use your 30 without any fear


This. Plus at cold startup your oil is WAAAAAAY more than 9.3 CST.

FWIW I used 5w30 and even 0w40 in my '13 F150 5.0 when I had it, with good UOA and no loss of mpg or power. Also consider the same engine in the Mustang allows up to 5w50.....
 
Originally Posted by 4WD
So when reading up on this subject my OEM says it will … but once we get 100% thumbs up on this internet site … that becomes patently false.

When the same engine with VVT has been used in other parts of the world w/o issue using 30 and 40 grade oil it makes one wonder.
 
I'm using 0w40 in 2 vehicles calling for 5w20. I have noticed absolutely 0 difference other than my own perceived ever so slightly smoother and quieter running engines.

Placebo effect? Probably. Does it give me warm fuzzies inside? Definitely.
 
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Originally Posted by Skippy722
I'm using 0w40 in 2 vehicles calling for 5w20. I have noticed absolutely 0 difference other than my own perceived ever so slightly smoother and quieter running engines.

Placebo effect? Probably. Does it give me warm fuzzies inside? Definitely.


My 2009 Camry LE with 2AZ-FE calls for 5w20 or 0w20 in owners manual. I have a hard time believing that a 5w20 if recommended is a bad choice. I have Valvoline Syn Maxlife 5w20 and notice better startups in the winter here
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