Anyone Experience xW-20 MPG Increase over 5w-30?
- Thread starter modularv8
- Start date
- Status
no difference in fuel mileage in my escape
I had been using XW20 in E430 instead of M1 0W40 for about 3 years, MPG increased by about 3-5% from average 18.xx to 19.xx. Performance is better at all RPM's and temperatures, the engine is much quieter at all RPM's.
I actually got alittle better milage with 0-40 in my 4.6. I have grown quite fond of M1 0-40
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I had been using XW20 in E430 instead of M1 0W40 for about 3 years, MPG increased by about 3-5% from average 18.xx to 19.xx. Performance is better at all RPM's and temperatures, the engine is much quieter at all RPM's.
Weird how the engine could get quieter with a thinner oil...?
I had been using XW20 in E430 instead of M1 0W40 for about 3 years, MPG increased by about 3-5% from average 18.xx to 19.xx. Performance is better at all RPM's and temperatures, the engine is much quieter at all RPM's.
Weird how the engine could get quieter with a thinner oil...?
None.
I ran PP 5-20, Synpower 5-30, 50/50 mix of VWB/Maxlife 5-30 in my Kia. No difference. Same 23 MPG in summer, 20 in winter.
It might make difference on the highway, but I do not do enough highway driving in Spectra to tell either way.
I ran PP 5-20, Synpower 5-30, 50/50 mix of VWB/Maxlife 5-30 in my Kia. No difference. Same 23 MPG in summer, 20 in winter.
It might make difference on the highway, but I do not do enough highway driving in Spectra to tell either way.
I've never measured a consistent fuel economy difference between the two. When I've used both oils in the same engine, the engine always feels more responsive on the lighter oil. So I imagine that it's less restrictive to pump, but I've never measured any objective difference.
Originally Posted By: Artem
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I had been using XW20 in E430 instead of M1 0W40 for about 3 years, MPG increased by about 3-5% from average 18.xx to 19.xx. Performance is better at all RPM's and temperatures, the engine is much quieter at all RPM's.
Weird how the engine could get quieter with a thinner oil...?
I understand your concern/question about thinner oil makes engine quieter.
The engine was noisier in around 2006-2008 with M1 0W40 from beginning, I had 2 jugs PP 5W20 I bought in 2007 for cheap. I decided to try it to see if there is any positive/negative effect in the car after reading DR AE Haas using much thinner oil in his exotics.
After about 1-2k miles, the engine was so quiet that I used to not hearing the fan noise at speed below 4 out of 7 speed fan with M1 0W40 at red-light, with PP 5W20 I could hear the fan noise at speed 1 or 2.
On highway, I didn't hear much tire noise with thicker oil, with thinner oil the tire noise was much more pronounce.
I should say that this particular engine in my E430 likes thinner oil, the same engine in another E430 may not or other engines may like thicker oil, summary: YMMV.
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I had been using XW20 in E430 instead of M1 0W40 for about 3 years, MPG increased by about 3-5% from average 18.xx to 19.xx. Performance is better at all RPM's and temperatures, the engine is much quieter at all RPM's.
Weird how the engine could get quieter with a thinner oil...?
I understand your concern/question about thinner oil makes engine quieter.
The engine was noisier in around 2006-2008 with M1 0W40 from beginning, I had 2 jugs PP 5W20 I bought in 2007 for cheap. I decided to try it to see if there is any positive/negative effect in the car after reading DR AE Haas using much thinner oil in his exotics.
After about 1-2k miles, the engine was so quiet that I used to not hearing the fan noise at speed below 4 out of 7 speed fan with M1 0W40 at red-light, with PP 5W20 I could hear the fan noise at speed 1 or 2.
On highway, I didn't hear much tire noise with thicker oil, with thinner oil the tire noise was much more pronounce.
I should say that this particular engine in my E430 likes thinner oil, the same engine in another E430 may not or other engines may like thicker oil, summary: YMMV.
I just changed the oil in my Grand Marquis. I was using PP 5W-20. I just changed over to 5w30 (Valvoline white bottle). It's too soon to tell about MPG, but there is definitely a noticeable different in performance. It feels like I'm towing a 2,000 lb trailer behind it.
No real difference in engine noise or sounds.
The weather in my area has been cooler than normal, but still the temps have been between 60 - 95 degrees F.
I'm thinking of draining the 5w30 out and using it in the beater (Aerostar) and going back to 5W-20.
No real difference in engine noise or sounds.
The weather in my area has been cooler than normal, but still the temps have been between 60 - 95 degrees F.
I'm thinking of draining the 5w30 out and using it in the beater (Aerostar) and going back to 5W-20.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: oldmaninsc
I just changed the oil in my Grand Marquis. I was using PP 5W-20. I just changed over to 5w30 (Valvoline white bottle). It's too soon to tell about MPG, but there is definitely a noticeable different in performance. It feels like I'm towing a 2,000 lb trailer behind it.
No real difference in engine noise or sounds.
The weather in my area has been cooler than normal, but still the temps have been between 60 - 95 degrees F.
I'm thinking of draining the 5w30 out and using it in the beater (Aerostar) and going back to 5W-20.
I noticed my truck was definately sluggish with PP 5w30 this past winter, but didn't know if it was because of winter blend gasoline or the oil was thicker (wonder what the load is to pump thicker oil?). My truck is distinctly peppier with QSUD 5w-20. My fuel economy isn't great no matter what because of stop/go driving; excessive idling.
I just changed the oil in my Grand Marquis. I was using PP 5W-20. I just changed over to 5w30 (Valvoline white bottle). It's too soon to tell about MPG, but there is definitely a noticeable different in performance. It feels like I'm towing a 2,000 lb trailer behind it.
No real difference in engine noise or sounds.
The weather in my area has been cooler than normal, but still the temps have been between 60 - 95 degrees F.
I'm thinking of draining the 5w30 out and using it in the beater (Aerostar) and going back to 5W-20.
I noticed my truck was definately sluggish with PP 5w30 this past winter, but didn't know if it was because of winter blend gasoline or the oil was thicker (wonder what the load is to pump thicker oil?). My truck is distinctly peppier with QSUD 5w-20. My fuel economy isn't great no matter what because of stop/go driving; excessive idling.
Especially in smaller engines, the lighter oil usually has a definite effect on MPG and power.
Definite does not mean massive - only noticeable.
Definite does not mean massive - only noticeable.
I am not the sharpest tool in the shed.............but......how does oil thickness influence tire noise?
There are three main noise sources on highway speed of 60+ MPH: Engine, Wind and Tire. The E430 body is very solid, all windows are very well sealed therefore very little wind noise. The remaining noise sources are from tires and engine, since the engine is much quieter with XW20 therefore tire noise is now prominent.
Originally Posted By: oldmaninsc
I just changed the oil in my Grand Marquis. I was using PP 5W-20. I just changed over to 5w30 (Valvoline white bottle). It's too soon to tell about MPG, but there is definitely a noticeable different in performance. It feels like I'm towing a 2,000 lb trailer behind it.
No real difference in engine noise or sounds.
The weather in my area has been cooler than normal, but still the temps have been between 60 - 95 degrees F.
I'm thinking of draining the 5w30 out and using it in the beater (Aerostar) and going back to 5W-20.
Either that's a HUGE exaggeration, or you have something seriously wrong... My '07 Grand Marquis has no noticeable change in performance with 5W-20 or 5w30...
If there was that much difference(equiv of towing 2K Lbs) in a oil with 3-4cSt greater thickness(approx 20-25%), it'd not have enough power to back out of the driveway when the oil was cold and 15-20 times thicker than at operating temps... When cold 5w-20 and 5w30 are roughly equal...
I just changed the oil in my Grand Marquis. I was using PP 5W-20. I just changed over to 5w30 (Valvoline white bottle). It's too soon to tell about MPG, but there is definitely a noticeable different in performance. It feels like I'm towing a 2,000 lb trailer behind it.
No real difference in engine noise or sounds.
The weather in my area has been cooler than normal, but still the temps have been between 60 - 95 degrees F.
I'm thinking of draining the 5w30 out and using it in the beater (Aerostar) and going back to 5W-20.
Either that's a HUGE exaggeration, or you have something seriously wrong... My '07 Grand Marquis has no noticeable change in performance with 5W-20 or 5w30...
If there was that much difference(equiv of towing 2K Lbs) in a oil with 3-4cSt greater thickness(approx 20-25%), it'd not have enough power to back out of the driveway when the oil was cold and 15-20 times thicker than at operating temps... When cold 5w-20 and 5w30 are roughly equal...
Originally Posted By: TFB1
Originally Posted By: oldmaninsc
I just changed the oil in my Grand Marquis. I was using PP 5W-20. I just changed over to 5w30 (Valvoline white bottle). It's too soon to tell about MPG, but there is definitely a noticeable different in performance. It feels like I'm towing a 2,000 lb trailer behind it.
No real difference in engine noise or sounds.
The weather in my area has been cooler than normal, but still the temps have been between 60 - 95 degrees F.
I'm thinking of draining the 5w30 out and using it in the beater (Aerostar) and going back to 5W-20.
Either that's a HUGE exaggeration, or you have something seriously wrong... My '07 Grand Marquis has no noticeable change in performance with 5W-20 or 5w30...
If there was that much difference(equiv of towing 2K Lbs) in a oil with 3-4cSt greater thickness(approx 20-25%), it'd not have enough power to back out of the driveway when the oil was cold and 15-20 times thicker than at operating temps... When cold 5w-20 and 5w30 are roughly equal...
No that's NOT a huge exaggeration or even a small one, and no there is NOTHING wrong with my vehicle or engine. That is MY perception of the change in the vehicle's performance. I've towed a lot of trailers in my time - remember a 2,000 lb trailer is relatively small and light - enough to notice it is there but not enough to make it difficult driving. A Uhaul 6X12 cargo trailer weighs about 1,900 pounds empty.
I had actually hoped that there WOULDN'T be ANY difference between the 5W-20 and the 5w30 in this car so I could use the same oil in all 3 vehicles.
Since you seem to be an (self proclaimed) expert - care to explain to me why my car takes more throttle to go up the hills on the interstate? This is the same road I've driven numerous times in the last 20 years, and for 30 years before that when it was a 2 lane highway! The weather conditions were no different this week than they were last week. I filled up with gasoline at the same station. Only difference in the car is the oil was changed.
I haven't checked the exact MPG yet - I just filled up this morning, but I just returned from a 90 mile round trip and the fuel gauge has dropped down farther than it usually does. I've had this car for about 3 1/2 years, and put just over 50K miles on it. Roughly half of those 50K miles is this exact route I drove today.
Personally I could care less what oil people use and what they believe about "thin" vs. "thick". I was simply sharing my experience. I've used all weights of oils over the last 6 decades - in that many years of driving you get a pretty good idea of how things work! LOL!
You can believe what you want - the o/p asked for various experiences and I offered mine.
Maybe the reason I noticed a difference in my car and you didn't in yours is that I'm a little more perceptive and in tune to my car's performance than you are!
I'm somewhat surprised no one mentioned the fact that I went from synthetic (albeit a group III) to conventional oil. In one of my other vehicles I could notice a small (very small) difference in performance AND MPG with synthetic oil, in another one I couldn't tell any difference, and yet another one seem to run better on conventional oil! Go figure.
Originally Posted By: oldmaninsc
I just changed the oil in my Grand Marquis. I was using PP 5W-20. I just changed over to 5w30 (Valvoline white bottle). It's too soon to tell about MPG, but there is definitely a noticeable different in performance. It feels like I'm towing a 2,000 lb trailer behind it.
No real difference in engine noise or sounds.
The weather in my area has been cooler than normal, but still the temps have been between 60 - 95 degrees F.
I'm thinking of draining the 5w30 out and using it in the beater (Aerostar) and going back to 5W-20.
Either that's a HUGE exaggeration, or you have something seriously wrong... My '07 Grand Marquis has no noticeable change in performance with 5W-20 or 5w30...
If there was that much difference(equiv of towing 2K Lbs) in a oil with 3-4cSt greater thickness(approx 20-25%), it'd not have enough power to back out of the driveway when the oil was cold and 15-20 times thicker than at operating temps... When cold 5w-20 and 5w30 are roughly equal...
No that's NOT a huge exaggeration or even a small one, and no there is NOTHING wrong with my vehicle or engine. That is MY perception of the change in the vehicle's performance. I've towed a lot of trailers in my time - remember a 2,000 lb trailer is relatively small and light - enough to notice it is there but not enough to make it difficult driving. A Uhaul 6X12 cargo trailer weighs about 1,900 pounds empty.
I had actually hoped that there WOULDN'T be ANY difference between the 5W-20 and the 5w30 in this car so I could use the same oil in all 3 vehicles.
Since you seem to be an (self proclaimed) expert - care to explain to me why my car takes more throttle to go up the hills on the interstate? This is the same road I've driven numerous times in the last 20 years, and for 30 years before that when it was a 2 lane highway! The weather conditions were no different this week than they were last week. I filled up with gasoline at the same station. Only difference in the car is the oil was changed.
I haven't checked the exact MPG yet - I just filled up this morning, but I just returned from a 90 mile round trip and the fuel gauge has dropped down farther than it usually does. I've had this car for about 3 1/2 years, and put just over 50K miles on it. Roughly half of those 50K miles is this exact route I drove today.
Personally I could care less what oil people use and what they believe about "thin" vs. "thick". I was simply sharing my experience. I've used all weights of oils over the last 6 decades - in that many years of driving you get a pretty good idea of how things work! LOL!
You can believe what you want - the o/p asked for various experiences and I offered mine.
Maybe the reason I noticed a difference in my car and you didn't in yours is that I'm a little more perceptive and in tune to my car's performance than you are!
I'm somewhat surprised no one mentioned the fact that I went from synthetic (albeit a group III) to conventional oil. In one of my other vehicles I could notice a small (very small) difference in performance AND MPG with synthetic oil, in another one I couldn't tell any difference, and yet another one seem to run better on conventional oil! Go figure.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Especially in smaller engines, the lighter oil usually has a definite effect on MPG and power.
Definite does not mean massive - only noticeable.
I agree.
Especially in smaller engines, the lighter oil usually has a definite effect on MPG and power.
Definite does not mean massive - only noticeable.
I agree.
I find it to be dependent on the oil and the vehicle. Case in point: I had a 2010 Accord I4 V-Tec and was receiving free oil changes with Kendall 5w20 conventional at the dealer. I was getting roughly 25.5mpg on my very consistent driving pattern. I had some Amsoil ASL 5w30, so I did my own oil change next time when it was due with a PL 14610 filter and after changing up a grade to 5w30 I actually saw an increase in mileage to just under 27mpg. So it really depends on the quality of oil as some have touched on.
Originally Posted By: oldmaninsc
Maybe the reason I noticed a difference in my car and you didn't in yours is that I'm a little more perceptive and in tune to my car's performance than you are!
Since I've drag raced at the strip off and on for 40 years and have tuned many of my vehicles for max performance, I doubt that... My Merc has 47K and as I stated there is no notable difference in the two different oils... No I haven't timed that car to see if it runs the same with each oil... Since weather conditions play a larger roll in performance, to be accurate I'd have to swap oils at the track to to make the comparison, not likely to happen...
Maybe the reason I noticed a difference in my car and you didn't in yours is that I'm a little more perceptive and in tune to my car's performance than you are!
Since I've drag raced at the strip off and on for 40 years and have tuned many of my vehicles for max performance, I doubt that... My Merc has 47K and as I stated there is no notable difference in the two different oils... No I haven't timed that car to see if it runs the same with each oil... Since weather conditions play a larger roll in performance, to be accurate I'd have to swap oils at the track to to make the comparison, not likely to happen...
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Originally Posted By: TFB1
Originally Posted By: oldmaninsc
Maybe the reason I noticed a difference in my car and you didn't in yours is that I'm a little more perceptive and in tune to my car's performance than you are!
Since I've drag raced at the strip off and on for 40 years and have tuned many of my vehicles for max performance, I doubt that... My Merc has 47K and as I stated there is no notable difference in the two different oils... No I haven't timed that car to see if it runs the same with each oil... Since weather conditions play a larger roll in performance, to be accurate I'd have to swap oils at the track to to make the comparison, not likely to happen...
Agreed. I couldn't tell the difference between 5w20 and 5w40 in the Expedition.
Mind you the 5w40 made it feel sluggish when it was way below zero, but that's not what we are discussing.
Originally Posted By: oldmaninsc
Maybe the reason I noticed a difference in my car and you didn't in yours is that I'm a little more perceptive and in tune to my car's performance than you are!
Since I've drag raced at the strip off and on for 40 years and have tuned many of my vehicles for max performance, I doubt that... My Merc has 47K and as I stated there is no notable difference in the two different oils... No I haven't timed that car to see if it runs the same with each oil... Since weather conditions play a larger roll in performance, to be accurate I'd have to swap oils at the track to to make the comparison, not likely to happen...
Agreed. I couldn't tell the difference between 5w20 and 5w40 in the Expedition.
Mind you the 5w40 made it feel sluggish when it was way below zero, but that's not what we are discussing.
Originally Posted By: chubbs1
I find it to be dependent on the oil and the vehicle. Case in point: I had a 2010 Accord I4 V-Tec and was receiving free oil changes with Kendall 5w20 conventional at the dealer. I was getting roughly 25.5mpg on my very consistent driving pattern. I had some Amsoil ASL 5w30, so I did my own oil change next time when it was due with a PL 14610 filter and after changing up a grade to 5w30 I actually saw an increase in mileage to just under 27mpg. So it really depends on the quality of oil as some have touched on.
Thanks for the responses. It can be seen in an industry report where fuel improvement testing was conducted at SWRI by people actually driving a variety of vehicles, the fuel economy difference between 5w-20 & 5w30 really depends on the formulation. Some results showed 5w30 having greater fuel economy than 5w-20, and vice versa. The difference between the two at best never exceeded 0.5%.
If you are interested you, can read the report at the link below. It is loaded with charts (oil temperature vs coolant temperature in a variety of test vehicles, FEI vs motor oil formulation, etc.).
Fuel Efficiency Test for Motor Oils - Final Report
I find it to be dependent on the oil and the vehicle. Case in point: I had a 2010 Accord I4 V-Tec and was receiving free oil changes with Kendall 5w20 conventional at the dealer. I was getting roughly 25.5mpg on my very consistent driving pattern. I had some Amsoil ASL 5w30, so I did my own oil change next time when it was due with a PL 14610 filter and after changing up a grade to 5w30 I actually saw an increase in mileage to just under 27mpg. So it really depends on the quality of oil as some have touched on.
Thanks for the responses. It can be seen in an industry report where fuel improvement testing was conducted at SWRI by people actually driving a variety of vehicles, the fuel economy difference between 5w-20 & 5w30 really depends on the formulation. Some results showed 5w30 having greater fuel economy than 5w-20, and vice versa. The difference between the two at best never exceeded 0.5%.
If you are interested you, can read the report at the link below. It is loaded with charts (oil temperature vs coolant temperature in a variety of test vehicles, FEI vs motor oil formulation, etc.).
Fuel Efficiency Test for Motor Oils - Final Report
- Status
Similar threads
