Does anyone run 20wt in a car spec'd for 30wt?

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Originally Posted By: heavyhitter
I have the same truck same engine. I would NOT use a 20w oil in it.


Why not? Saying that actually makes me want to try it even more.
 
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Originally Posted By: lexus114
If I do try it,I dont know if it should be Synthetic 5w20 or Conventional,or Motorcraft blend. What say you`s??


Go with ST dino that way if you dont like it, you have only lost 10 dollars
 
I'm always interested in trying to save a little gas/MPG in my Dodge Durango but I was recommended NOT to use a 5W-20 on an engine that's specified for 5W-30 cuz of risk of bearing damage.

I just stay with the 30W weight and try to do other things to save increase MPG.

Durango
 
A member on here who doesn't post anymore, 'OriginHacker21' used to used 20-weight in his 2004 Pontiac Sunfire, spec;d for 5W-30.

He got really good results using it, and he posted whole piles of UOA's for that car suing 20 and 30-weights...look up his user name, or 'Sunfire' in the UOA section, and you'll find them.....
 
Originally Posted By: addyguy
A member on here who doesn't post anymore, 'OriginHacker21' used to used 20-weight in his 2004 Pontiac Sunfire, spec;d for 5W-30.

He got really good results using it, and he posted whole piles of UOA's for that car suing 20 and 30-weights...look up his user name, or 'Sunfire' in the UOA section, and you'll find them.....


Nice, he had some really good reports with it. I think my biggest issue would be actually finding some 20 wt oils here.
 
Aren't some of the Nissan engines hard on oil, and shear pretty bad? If this is one of those engines I wouldn't suggest a 20 weight oil.

Maybe just use one of the thinner 30 weights?
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Originally Posted By: D189379
I think my biggest issue would be actually finding some 20 wt oils here.


Relatively easy to obtain Petro Canada 0W20.
 
Originally Posted By: hate2work

Aren't some of the Nissan engines hard on oil, and shear pretty bad? If this is one of those engines I wouldn't suggest a 20 weight oil.

Maybe just use one of the thinner 30 weights?
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5w-30 is one of the more shear prone oils a 5w-20 should be dang stable. The OP could try Edge 5w-30(near 20 wt), Havoline 5w-30 (near 20wt) or, the new M1AFE which I think is thinner than B4.
 
I've been running the manual spec'd 5w-30 in my 1999 Civic EX but I keep hearing that it was back spec'd for 5w-20 yet could never find anything on it.

If I can get the guts to, perhaps next change I'll try a 5w-20 like M1 and I'll likely over-watch the entire time.
 
I considered it in my 2.7 Concorde for the winter, but since this motor has enough issues already, I decided not to risk it. The final reasons were I would not be ready for a change to thicker by summer, and I have a hot oil light flicker in summer on some 5w 3o oils, such as Schaeffer 7K, and Edge.
 
Originally Posted By: D189379
Originally Posted By: heavyhitter
I have the same truck same engine. I would NOT use a 20w oil in it.


Why not? Saying that actually makes me want to try it even more.



I also would NOT use a 20 grade oil in that engine. The 4.0L V6 is a member of the VQ engine family and oil temperatures can be quite high under most normal circumstances (usually at or beyond boiling point, depending on driving habits). Oil temperatures can very quickly rise above boiling point right up to 150 C when the engine is pushed hard for any length of time. This is NOT a safe situation for a 20 grade oil in my opinion. Also, I believe a syn is a good fit for these engines as well. The VQ family of engines is also great at shearing oils. 20 grade would not leave much room for that either.

My disclaimer... Most of my experience is based upon the VQ35DE, while yours is the VQ40DE. I'm not 100% sure if they have the same affliction for oil temps, or if Nissan has included a bigger oil sump then the 3.5L engine has since it's a truck engine. But basically, it would be prudent to look into your oil temps first before switching to a lighter grade oil in an engine family that is known for higher oil temps.

Other than these possible issues, there should be no other problems with the switch, but likely no benefit either.
 
This winter I put 5W-20 in my Cobalt, which specs 5W-30. I did it for 3 reasons:
1) From UOAs, the engine's known to be easy on oil
2) My commute is about 5 miles mostly city. The coolant just gets up to the 190-degree thermostat set point by the time I get there, so the oil probably doesn't get very warm.
3) 5W-20 is pretty common in other normally aspirated 4-cylinder engines from Honda, Toyota, Ford and Chrysler.
 
Running a 20wt, preferably a 0W-20, in a Calgary winter should not be a problem with the way the OP drives his truck.

I've been running a 20wt in my BMW during our milder winters for the past 5 years. Engine is much more responsive when cold vs the M1 0W-40 I ran before. Oil temp's simply don't get above 80C when the ambient temp's below 5C.

But you may want to take il signor97's experience with his VG35DE into consideration although he didn't elaborate on hot the oil got in sub zero temp's; I suspect not very.
Of course if you want to fine tune your oil viscosity selection with 100% zero concern, install an oil pressure gauge.
 
Not to start a war here or anything but why would you even want to consider or use a lower viscosity oil than recommended by the engine manufacturer?
They didn't come up with this decision to use a 30 wt by the spin of a carnival wheel. Some very in depth engineering and much testing is done before they spec an oil.
But hey if you've always wanted to blow up an engine and foot the bill then I say "fill yer boots".
I would chalk the question up to boredom as you had suggested.
 
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Originally Posted By: Beagle2000
Not to start a war here or anything but why would you even want to consider or use a lower viscosity oil than recommended by the engine manufacturer?
They didn't come up with this decision to use a 30 wt by the spin of a carnival wheel. Some very in depth engineering and much testing is done before they spec an oil.
But hey if you've always wanted to blow up an engine and foot the bill then I say "fill yer boots".
I would chalk the question up to boredom as you had suggested.


You are not alone on this point.

Unless the OEM has back specified a 5w20 for the engine it is questionable.
 
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