Should I use M1 0w-20 in a 5w-30 application?

[Blue99]

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If that's wrong, please tell me.

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Ok,

Merkava = wrong

(Credit to mechtech2)

If thin oils are the answer to all lubrication problems, why do the race teams qualify the car on a thin oil for speed in qualifying and go to a thicker oil on race day?

It all boils down to film thickness & anti-wear additives. Believe me, the 2.6 HTHS of many 20 weights just doesn't work long term in all engine designs!

 

[AEHaas]

I have not seen any SAE papers within the last 5 years (since the use of 20 grade oils) that show HTHS to be a relevant number in fully formulated oils. In fact there is evidence that with current motor oils viscosity is itself not relevant to wear rates. I will be more specific when I get time to show you with details of recent papers.

As for racing, Red Line 10W racing oil has been used off the shelf by a Formula One team for racing. Many use 0 , 5 and 10 grade oils for racing today, and particularly in Formula One where engines must be used for 2 races. You have to be able to win a race against a team running a new engine so second engine races must have minimal wear to begin with.

Do not blindly change oil grades however. Let used oil analysis guide you. Use engine oil temperatures and pressures guide you.

aehaas

 

[buster]

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I have not seen any SAE papers within the last 5 years (since the use of 20 grade oils) that show HTHS to be a relevant number in fully formulated oils.

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Well, I'm curious as to why none of the 20wts have a HT/HS lower than 2.6? This could mean that they are at the limit before wear increases.

 

[Stainless]

First off, I didn't mean to post and then never return. I have been working and this was the first change I had to log on.

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Originally posted by: Triple Se7en
If your engine is the typical 4.5 quart sump, I would use 3.5 qts 0W-20 with one quart of Mobil Delvac 15w40 or one quart Mobil-1 5W-40.

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Yes sir. It is the 4.5 quart sump. BUT, I have found, if i run the larger sized oil filter, I can put 5 quarts in, and not be far over the line. Also. I hate having a half quart sitting around.

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Originally posted by: Cutehumor
don't be shy brotha, drop us a line where you gettin da hookup

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A store in my area is closing out of Mobil 1 0W-20 and Mobil 1 Extended Performance 15W-50, and the manager offered me a deal.

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Originally posted by: Pablo
Can't you get the same inside deal on 5w30?

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No sir. I can't.

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Originally Posted By: Jaymus
I don't know WHY people on this site are so determined to try and use 20 weight oils. It must be the new cool thing to do.

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I don't know why anyone else is doing it, but I am going for an oil that is as THIN as I can get at start up. I am not interested in the POTENTIAL fuel economy benefits. Honestly, I couldn't care less. I AM concerned with having the thinnest oil possible in my crank case, so it thins to operating viscosity quicker than any other.

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Originally posted by: dcoyne78
Has anybody tried a 20 weight oil in this engine?

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I have. But it was NOT under what I would call "normal" circumstances.

Last winter, for one month, where I live had some of the coldest weather I have ever been in. Some nights it got down to -10F, and my car sits outside. RIGHT before that month hit, I drained the M1 5w30 and put in 5 quarts of M1 0W-20. During the day, it would only be in the TEENS, and when I would drive, the thermostat never even got CLOSE to its operating range. I even thought it was broken/stuck and replaced it, but the NEW one did the same thing.

After the weather warmed up a little bit, I drained the oil. It ended up with something like 2,400 miles on it. Nothing HORRIBLE happened, but I still don't know the long term effects or if it was even smart to do.

Dr Haas:
The fact that you have redline 5W-20 in your Lambo makes me feel a little better about this. Also, I DEFINITELY plan on getting an oil analysis done after the first run with the 0W-20.... IF i decide to do it.

 

[mdocod]

the manufacture recommended 30wt oils.
The manufacture probably was aware that 30wt dino oils that 94% of owners would use would thin out to a 20wt within 1000-2000 miles.
The manufacture recommended 30wt anyways, because 20wt would be fine in the engine as well.
modern 20wt oils are more shear stable than dino 30wts. they stay 20wt oils pretty well.

I don't see a significant problem with modern 20wt oil in most engines that called for conventional 30wt a few years ago.

 

[06VtecV6]

Should I try 0w-20 in my Accord that is asking for 5w-20. I want gas mileage. What do you all say. Then there is the 5w30 for the RDX that is HTO-96 certified or something. someone else here said going up gave them lots more perf. hmm

 

[Thatwouldbegreat]

I think Mobil 1 0W-20 is a great oil...but I'm afraid it could be too thin for your engine.

It might work fine, but you are taking some amount of risk.

If you can get the 0W-20 at a huge discount ...get it. It will be a great oil for some friend with a 5W-20 spec Honda or Ford motor.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Two of the bigger risks are not having a UOA done - when fuel or coolant dilution might exist inside such thin oil. After-all, we are talking high mileage here.

Try the thin oil - then get a UOA done just prior to the next OCI.

 

[mechtech2]

If you aren't thrashing the car at high RPMs, I'd use the 20 without a second thought.
You could always add some VSOT.

 

[surfstar]

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A store in my area is closing out of Mobil 1 0W-20 and Mobil 1 Extended Performance 15W-50, and the manager offered me a deal.

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Blend in some 15w50 to get yourself closer to a 30wt and don't sweat it. What else would you use the 15w50 for anyways?

 

[Blue99]

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I have not seen any SAE papers within the last 5 years (since the use of 20 grade oils) that show HTHS to be a relevant number in fully formulated oils. In fact there is evidence that with current motor oils viscosity is itself not relevant to wear rates. I will be more specific when I get time to show you with details of recent papers.

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So ACEA is out in left field with the requirement for a minimum 3.5 HTHS to meet the A3 designation?

Look Doctor Haas, if we simply look at the formulations for a 5W-20 and a 5w30, we see the same 4-5 cSt base oils and the same basic additive levels.

The only difference is the additional VI index improver and minor amount of 6 cSt base oil found in the 5w30 to meet the SAE 30 viscosity grade minimum at 100C.

Both VI index improvers and the longer hydro-carbon chains of a 6 cSt base oil add to film thickness.

Film thickness is the only real difference between a 5W-20 and a 5w30.

 

[dcoyne78]

Did this guy ever buy the oil and do a UOA?