Silly question about oil weights...

[kbuzbee]

Okay, this was spurred by all the recent threads by folks running 5W20 and 0W20.

My wife's car takes 5W30 and, in one form or another has always had that until I recently switched to GC (but I'm not worried about that 5W30 -> 0W30).

But my question is, are all these cars running 0W20 spec'd for that or are people running it in cars that spec 5W30? I realize there are weight differences and overlaps between brands but it just got me wondering. (me with my 5W40 turbo Jetta ;-)

I guess specifically I'm wondering about running RL 0W20 in her Eclipse (regular 4cyl not turbo)?? Bad idea? Or no worries?

Thanks!

Ken

 

[Pablo]

Run the viscosity required for the engine. Most all people running XW-20 have engines requiring xW-20. If you have to ask, re-read the first sentence.

 

[kbuzbee]

Thanks Pablo, I figured. But I thought I'd ask. 0W20 must be a newer spec? Never really ran across it before. Now it seems to be everywhere.

Ken

 

[BuickGN]

What Pablo said.

But if you're intent on running a 20wt, Redline's 5w-20 specs look much better than their 0w-20. With the super high HTHS of the RL 5w-20, it should do fine in a 5w30 spec'd car as long as the oil pressure is ok. Personally I wouldn't use my car to experiment.

 

[bepperb]

Toyota is pushing the 0w-20 on their new 2.5 and 2.7 liter, and also some of the 2009 2.4 liter I4's. I'm not sure of anyone else spec'ing it in a new non-hybrid car.

5-20 has been around since 1999 in Hondas and Fords.

 

[Paul2007]

I tried Motorcraft 5W-20 semi-syn. in my 2001 Chrysler Sebring 2.7L motor this past summer. Thought I'd see a mileage difference. None I could calculate. Went back to the 5w30 syn. and it runs the same. Pablo's right, as well as the manufacturer. Run what they spec.and change when you should and most of us will either sell or junk the car before the engine goes.

 

[kbuzbee]

Originally Posted By: BuickGN
What Pablo said.

But if you're intent on running a 20wt, Redline's 5w-20 specs look much better than their 0w-20. With the super high HTHS of the RL 5w-20, it should do fine in a 5w30 spec'd car as long as the oil pressure is ok. Personally I wouldn't use my car to experiment.


Thanks guys,

I'm not at all intent in doing this. Merely curious. Curiosity satisfied. Sticking with the GC. Good info, as always.

Ken

 

[hpichris]

The viscosity of GC is more than a reg 30 weight anyways..

 

[Bigsyke]

Originally Posted By: hpichris
The viscosity of GC is more than a reg 30 weight anyways..

Thanks Chris

Honda changed some of their apps for cars the previously used 5w30 to 5w20, mainly on their D16y8's a about 10years after.

Non turbo is ok

 

[kbuzbee]

Saw this in another thread recently:

Quote:
The 1994 commuter Escort (250 K miles mobil 1 0W20)


These are the kinds of posts that got me thinking. Not trying to justify or anything. I really kinda doubt the 1994 Escort spec'd xW20. But maybe it did....

I still agree with the rec. Just saying....

Ken

 

[wapacz]

ford did back spec a ton of cars to xw-20. Not sure where there cut off data for this was.

 

[sangyup81]

the way I understand it, the 5w-20 spec came about due to a change in engine technology used by the car companies

 

[OVERKILL]

Not for Ford, the Modular engine was unchanged when it was switched to 5w20 from 10w30/5w30......... (In North America, other parts of the world it was, and still is spec'd for heavier oil).

 

[hpichris]

Originally Posted By: sangyup81
the way I understand it, the 5w-20 spec came about due to a change in engine technology used by the car companies


Nope. It was to meet CAFE regulations in all honesty.

 

[sangyup81]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Not for Ford, the Modular engine was unchanged when it was switched to 5w20 from 10w30/5w30......... (In North America, other parts of the world it was, and still is spec'd for heavier oil).


my mistake

is it still true that all 5w-20 spec engines use aluminum alloy heads and blocks?

 

[OVERKILL]

The vast majority of Ford Modular engines are aluminum heads, iron block......