Thicker oil in the summer -- a good idea?

[Pajamarama]

Today's high in Atlanta set a new record - 104 degrees.

As I drove home in this city-wide oven, I wondered if maybe I should be using a thicker oil in the summer.

I am getting ready to change the oil in my 09 Fit. The OM calls for 5w-20. During the hot summer months, would my car do better with a thicker oil, like a 5w30 or even a 10w30? And by "do better", I mean experience less wear and tear on the engine.

From June through September, the daily lows at night never get below 60 so the startup viscosity would never be too high.

Thoughts? Suggestions? I'm still new at this oil science/maintenance thing so feel free to debunk my theory.

 

[wolf_06]

I would stick with 5w20, its good oil weight. Maybe gtx is a bit thicker, i put 10w30 in my accent once, felt sluggish a bit. A good 5w20 like pennzoil or mobil 1 would do fine.

 

[friendly_jacek]

Depends what you drive and how you drive.
99% of drivers are fine following the car manual.
Remembering Atlanta traffic jams, your driving doesn't sound like high speed driving.

 

[dparm]

Not necessary. Your car is not air cooled.

 

[SrDriver]

My wife and I live just a few miles from the Florida line and have long hot Summers. Use 5W20 year around and have in the last several vehicles that we have owned too with no problems.

 

[Zako2]

Originally Posted By: friendly_jacek
Depends what you drive and how you drive.
99% of drivers are fine following the car manual.
Remembering Atlanta traffic jams, your driving doesn't sound like high speed driving.


Traffic jams, idling, or just driving around on city streets is what results in higher operating temperatures. Driving on the highway at a steady speed, even in triple digit temperatures with AC on, should be easy on the engine and oil.

 

[Zako2]

I do wonder, if using a 30-grade oil is what can give one some additional piece of mind, then why not use it in place of 20-grade? Even though we have seen many debates about whether 20-grade or 30-grade protects engine better, we have not seen a resolution to this debate. If the car does not see a lot of short trips and if the engine is not designed specifically to demand 20 grade (The more recent Chrysler's Hemi comes to mind), then I don't see why using 30-grade is a problem, specially in a hot climate. Wasn't there a mention that Honda recommends thicker motor oil for its engines in other countries?

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Zako2
I do wonder, if using a 30-grade oil is what can give one some additional piece of mind, then why not use it in place of 20-grade? Even though we have seen many debates about whether 20-grade or 30-grade protects engine better, we have not seen a resolution to this debate. If the car does not see a lot of short trips and if the engine is not designed specifically to demand 20 grade (The more recent Chrysler's Hemi comes to mind), then I don't see why using 30-grade is a problem, specially in a hot climate. Wasn't there a mention that Honda recommends thicker motor oil for its engines in other countries?

This topic gets beaten up, down, and around constantly here.

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: Zako2
Originally Posted By: friendly_jacek
Depends what you drive and how you drive.
99% of drivers are fine following the car manual.
Remembering Atlanta traffic jams, your driving doesn't sound like high speed driving.


Traffic jams, idling, or just driving around on city streets is what results in higher operating temperatures. Driving on the highway at a steady speed, even in triple digit temperatures with AC on, should be easy on the engine and oil.

Idling and driving slowly under hot ambient conditions can raise
your coolant temp's and indirectly the oil temp's somewhat but not unduly and certainly not enough to warrant using a heavier oil grade.

It is anything that requires sustained high throttle openings like high speed driving or towing a heavy trailer in hilly terrain that can raise oil temp's significantly; enough to potentially necessitate running a heavier oil grade.

 

[TC]

"...a new record - 104 degrees. I wondered if maybe I should be using a thicker oil in the summer...The OM calls for 5w-20."

Short version, the "0" part anticipates you driving in Chicago in January, and the "20" part anticipates you driving in Phoenix in July. So you're covered there in Atlanta. I know you can find numerous UOAs on this board showing little metal wear with 0W/20, even in hot climates like the Southwest deserts.

 

[Oregoonian]

Originally Posted By: wolf_06
I would stick with 5w20, its good oil weight. Maybe gtx is a bit thicker, i put 10w30 in my accent once, felt sluggish a bit. A good 5w20 like pennzoil or mobil 1 would do fine.


Thinner oils actually keep your engine cooler......stick with the the 5w20.....its a good year-round oil.

I would also consider a synthetic like M-1 or PP....if your not using a synthetic now.

 

[hounddog]

80 degrees and 105 degrees the oil and coolant hardly varies in temp. Stick with what is called for. Now MINUS 20 and such is a different story.

 

[johnachak]

Most probably will not agree, but, I just changed my oil in preparation for a trip to Charleston SC... Similar climate to yours. My Ford calls for 5w-20, it takes 6 qts. I put in 5 qts 5 w -20 and one qt. 5 w 30 to hopefully protect from the heat and the trip with 6 passengers and a car top carrier. Just my humble opinion. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[eljefino]

Your oil and coolant is designed to run at about 200'F so running at ambient temps of 100 instead of 80 just cuts into 20% of the reserve cooling capacity.

Now air cooled humans designed to run at 98 really notice 104 over 84'F. We project that discomfort on machines that don't deserve it.

 

[tig1]

M1 0-20 year round. Works in extreme cold and heat. Good for short trips and long runs like I will be making in less than two weeks. Going to Maine(1350 miles one way). 3 1/2 weeks ago I returned from Florida(900 miles one way). Always with 10K OCIs.

 

[ARB1977]

Amsoil 5W20 is what I use per OLM or six months which is about 10K in the CRV.

 

[johnachak]

[/quote]

This topic gets beaten up, down, and around constantly here. [/quote]
You are correct. I have yet to see a concensus on the appropriate answer though. It repeatedly comes up empty. 50% Seem to say use the 5w 20, the other half say 5w 20 was only for CAFE and 10w 30 or (insert favorite flavor here) is appropriate.

 

[tig1]

By the way, yesterday it was 108F and today 107. For the next several days it will be over 100F.

 

[SaturnIonVue]

You have all the engineers your car manufacturer has and pays to know what oil you need in what ever climate and conditions you can think of. They've already done all the work for you and written it up in the owner's manual. Follow their recommendations to the letter and you can't really go wrong. If you want some extra assurance/insurance then use a premium synthetic and filter, and trust the gods of well loved cars to bless you. Other than that, don't over think the issue. Besides, Atlanta ain't all that hot!

Try AZ this time of year. Put a raw egg in your pocket, walk six blocks...peel and eat! That's hot!

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: johnachak

This topic gets beaten up, down, and around constantly here. [/quote]
You are correct. I have yet to see a concensus on the appropriate answer though. It repeatedly comes up empty. 50% Seem to say use the 5w 20, the other half say 5w 20 was only for CAFE and 10w 30 or (insert favorite flavor here) is appropriate. [/quote]
---------------------------------------------------

Yep same argument time and time again. I'd love to see the data that proves the 20 grade oils are wrecking engines, or that the 30 grade oils are protecting engines calling for 20 grade oils better.