dumb viscosity question

[jdmstr22]

Will 5W20 offer me more winter start up protection than 5W30? (both oils would be full syn)


My sonata will be needing another oil change in a month or so and its getting cold. My owners manual says 5W20 is preferred but it is also okay to use 5W30 in all temps and 10W30 in temps above 0. I believe that the whole 5W20 spec is just for CAFE and i usually stick with 5W30.

 

[supercity]

It really depends on the quality of the oil to answer that.

But in a cold climate, quality equal, 5w20 is likely to be more suitable if it is recommended by the manufacturer.

 

[AP9]

It all depends on the individual oil. In terms of pumpability, 5W-20 isn't necessarily better or worse than 5w30 when cold; one has to compare specs.

Originally Posted By: jdmstr22
I believe that the whole 5W20 spec is just for CAFE and i usually stick with 5W30.


YEP.

5w30 should be fine.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: jdmstr22
5W20 is preferred but it is also okay to use 5W30 in all temps and 10W30 in temps above 0.


Then I'd most certainly be using the 30 weight.

With that super thin 5W-20, you run the risk of getting upper engine noise.

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: AP9
It all depends on the individual oil. In terms of pumpability, 5W-20 isn't necessarily better or worse than 5w30 when cold; one has to compare specs.

Originally Posted By: jdmstr22
I believe that the whole 5W20 spec is just for CAFE and i usually stick with 5W30.


YEP.

5w30 should be fine.

Really?
Name one case where a 5w30 flows better than a 5W-20 because I don't know of one.

For the OP.
PP 5W-20 would be a good choice for your Sonata.

 

[Merkava_4]

How much faster does 5W-20 flow than 5w30 CATERHAM?

I wanna know the exact time all the way out to the 4th decimal.

 

[rikstaker]

You can try one of the Pennzoil synthetics. Ultra or Platinum in 5w30 as they both are the lightest 5w30s out there with 100 cst values of 9.9 and 10 and 40 degrees cst of 55 again both values closer to a thick 20wt oil like redline 0w20. I plan to switch to 5w30 ultra and see how it does in the summer, but sonatas especially the newer ones run quieter on a thicker oil and 5w30 is still an approved viscosity in the manual 5w20 is recommended for better fuel economy.

http://www.pqiamerica.com/March2013PCMO/Marchsyntheticsallfinal.html

 

[AP9]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Originally Posted By: AP9
It all depends on the individual oil. In terms of pumpability, 5W-20 isn't necessarily better or worse than 5w30 when cold; one has to compare specs.

Originally Posted By: jdmstr22
I believe that the whole 5W20 spec is just for CAFE and i usually stick with 5W30.


YEP.

5w30 should be fine.

Really?
Name one case where a 5w30 flows better than a 5W-20 because I don't know of one.

For the OP.
PP 5W-20 would be a good choice for your Sonata.


FWIW, Peak's conventional 5w30 has a 6 degree Celsius lower pour point than their 5w30: http://images.peakauto.com/PEAK_conventional_spec_sheet.pdf


Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
How much faster does 5W-20 flow than 5w30 CATERHAM?

I wanna know the exact time all the way out to the 4th decimal.

 

[Spudislander]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: jdmstr22
5W20 is preferred but it is also okay to use 5W30 in all temps and 10W30 in temps above 0.


Then I'd most certainly be using the 30 weight.

With that super thin 5W-20, you run the risk of getting upper engine noise.


My 2013 Mazda 3 has the same type of engine as my previous 2009 Mazda 3 and right from the first day I bought the new one I have noticed more valve noise. I don't know if the different oil has anything to do with it or not but my previous Mazda operated with nothing lighter than 5w20 synthetic and the new one uses 0w20. ?

 

[gregk24]

Go with 5w20, it will protect better as it will get around the engine to lubricate quicker. Once the summer heat hits again switch back to 5w30. For what its worth, I run 0w20 year round in my 2006 Accord with no worries.

 

[Brule]

Originally Posted By: jdmstr22
My sonata will be needing another oil change in a month or so and its getting cold. My owners manual says 5W20 is preferred but it is also okay to use 5W30 in all temps and 10W30 in temps above 0. I believe that the whole 5W20 spec is just for CAFE and i usually stick with 5W30.


I believe it's a mistake most manufacturers don't seem to recommend different grades for summer & winter. I mean here (and many parts of the US) winters will reach 0f and summer will reach 100f. If different climates get different viscosity recommendations due to temps then seasons are just as significant. You might be best using a w20 in winter and w30 in summer. That's what I'm doing with my 223k mile Civic.

Edit: Gregk24, I swear I was typing this while you posted the same recommendation - not aping you!

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Originally Posted By: AP9
It all depends on the individual oil. In terms of pumpability, 5W-20 isn't necessarily better or worse than 5w30 when cold; one has to compare specs.

Originally Posted By: jdmstr22
I believe that the whole 5W20 spec is just for CAFE and i usually stick with 5W30.


YEP.

5w30 should be fine.


Really?
Name one case where a 5w30 flows better than a 5W-20 because I don't know of one.

For the OP.
PP 5W-20 would be a good choice for your Sonata.


Please demonstrate that flow=lubrication.

It's repeated a lot on here, but I've never seen anything that technically equates the two.

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: Brule
Originally Posted By: jdmstr22
My sonata will be needing another oil change in a month or so and its getting cold. My owners manual says 5W20 is preferred but it is also okay to use 5W30 in all temps and 10W30 in temps above 0. I believe that the whole 5W20 spec is just for CAFE and i usually stick with 5W30.


I believe it's a mistake most manufacturers don't seem to recommend different grades for summer & winter. I mean here (and many parts of the US) winters will reach 0f and summer will reach 100f. If different climates get different viscosity recommendations due to temps then seasons are just as significant. You might be best using a w20 in winter and w30 in summer. That's what I'm doing with my 223k mile Civic.

Edit: Gregk24, I swear I was typing this while you posted the same recommendation - not aping you!

But the oil temps are more or less regulated by the cooling system. Even in Death Valley on a summer afternoon, the oil will be at a temperature only slightly higher than if it were 75 deg F.

The lower temp requirements are set for cold start performance.

 

[stchman]

5W-20 can give slightly better fuel economy. I don't know if 5w30 offers better or worse protection.

I recommend using what the owners manual recommends.

 

[901Memphis]

PP 5w20 is one of the best you can get as far as a winter cold cranking oil.

Also pour point is useless information. You need other numbers to compare cold crank of the same oils.

If your car is specd today run a 5w20 I say take advantage of it unless you don't like the noise then go up to 5w30.

A high mileage 5w20 like Mobil 1 High Mileage is a good choice too.