Half the answers are to the question, half the answers are about the question. Cool
Thicker oil in the summer -- a good idea?
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I don't think the thicker oil will hurt the car, but I don't think it will help either. Countless UOA's show that 5w20 works good in engines that were designed for it.
The only thing I find interesting is that in Australia for example, OEM's recommend a heavier oil in higher temp months. I don't think it will hurt you to run a heavier weight but the thinner oil is absolutely fine as well. Just go by what helps you sleep better at night. It doesn't hurt anything either way.
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]
Good post. There is no consensus, if there was the debate would be over.
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]
Good post. There is no consensus, if there was the debate would be over.
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Originally Posted By: dparm
Not necessary. Your car is not air cooled.
Not necessary. Your car is not air cooled.
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Originally Posted By: dparm
Not necessary. Your car is not air cooled.
Pretty much that. Unless your oil pressure is dropping i doubt that you would need to go to a heavier oil.
If your worried about heat, make sure to stay on top of your coolant flushes. Also an auxiliary cooler for your automatic transmission may not be a bad idea, unless you already have one.
Originally Posted By: dparm
Not necessary. Your car is not air cooled.
Pretty much that. Unless your oil pressure is dropping i doubt that you would need to go to a heavier oil.
If your worried about heat, make sure to stay on top of your coolant flushes. Also an auxiliary cooler for your automatic transmission may not be a bad idea, unless you already have one.
In an air cooled Beetle or 911 maybe.
Just run a good synthetic (0/5W-20) if you're worried...
OK, thanks for the feedback everyone.
I'll stick with 5w-20.
I'll stick with 5w-20.
I use 10w30 in a 97 blazer without problems in this temp:
(that's 140°F)
So I'll say any modern car can handle 104°F easily so stop worrying.
(that's 140°F)
So I'll say any modern car can handle 104°F easily so stop worrying.
Yikes. I'm not question your temperature readings at all, but I thought the world record temperatures was 136 F in the Sahara and the hottest place in western Hemisphere was near Death Valley California.
You're probably near the California desert and I'm sure road temps get higher. I just didn't think it got that hot in Mexico.
http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2000/MichaelLevin.shtml
You're probably near the California desert and I'm sure road temps get higher. I just didn't think it got that hot in Mexico.
http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2000/MichaelLevin.shtml
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Yeah, I'm in Hermosillo, in the middle of the Sonoran Desert.
That temperature reading was form last year. This year has been a "little" lower, but still, last week we were the hottest place on earth for a few hours until a place in Irak took the crown.
Death Valley, that region in Irak, and Mexicali and Hermosillo in Mexico are usually in the top 5 of the hottest places.
But the point is, as long as you keep your cooling system in good condition and have no other issues, no need to go with a thicker weigth for protection.
That temperature reading was form last year. This year has been a "little" lower, but still, last week we were the hottest place on earth for a few hours until a place in Irak took the crown.
Death Valley, that region in Irak, and Mexicali and Hermosillo in Mexico are usually in the top 5 of the hottest places.
But the point is, as long as you keep your cooling system in good condition and have no other issues, no need to go with a thicker weigth for protection.
There was a time when every vehicle had a temp/visc chart in its OM.
Oils are better now than they were then, and those engines for which a twenty grade is recommended will last for as long as the rest of the car if the engine is run on a twenty grade under all conditions, or at least 200K.
If your Fit had a temp/visc chart in it's OM, it would no doubt recommend a thirty or even a forty grade for really hot weather.
The OM doesn't have such a chart, because Honda determined that the engine would survive just fine if a twenty grade were used under all conditions.
If it will make you feel better, use a thirty grade for the summer.
It certainly won't hurt anything, but I doubt that the speced twenty grade is causing any measurable harm either.
Oils are better now than they were then, and those engines for which a twenty grade is recommended will last for as long as the rest of the car if the engine is run on a twenty grade under all conditions, or at least 200K.
If your Fit had a temp/visc chart in it's OM, it would no doubt recommend a thirty or even a forty grade for really hot weather.
The OM doesn't have such a chart, because Honda determined that the engine would survive just fine if a twenty grade were used under all conditions.
If it will make you feel better, use a thirty grade for the summer.
It certainly won't hurt anything, but I doubt that the speced twenty grade is causing any measurable harm either.
Short answer, stick with 5w20, no need to switch.
Answer from Ford regarding using 5w20 dating to a 2004 document regarding testing in the desert southwest.
Q. Here in the desert southwest, air temperature reach 120 in the shade, what oil weight do you suggest?
"A: Customers should use the viscosity grade that was recommended for his vehicle in TSB 02-1-9. In some cases that means 5w30 for 2001 vehicles, but for most, that means 5W-20. Many people believe 5W-20 will be too thin to protect vehicles in high ambience such as experienced in Arizona at 120 degrees. Keep in mind that both 5w30 and 5W-20 were both fully tested, including Arizona proving grounds and experienced these very high ambient temperatures. The 5W-20 past all requirements and in some instances proved to be a better oil than the 5w30. So customer should not be hesitant in using 5W-20 for those vehicles where it is recommended."
Also
"Q. What durability tests have been done on this new grade of oil in excess of the warranty period?
A: Motorcraft 5W-20 was tested in the Arizona and Nevada desert heat, in Expeditions and Navigators loaded down to the max trailer towing capacity for up to 250,000 miles with extended drain intervals (15,000 miles). It was also tested in a fleet of taxis for stop-and-go testing and in the extreme colds of MinnesotA. In all cases, Motorcraft 5W-20 performed exceptionally with no oil-related failures. "
Referenced from the following link.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/se...=clnk&gl=us
Answer from Ford regarding using 5w20 dating to a 2004 document regarding testing in the desert southwest.
Q. Here in the desert southwest, air temperature reach 120 in the shade, what oil weight do you suggest?
"A: Customers should use the viscosity grade that was recommended for his vehicle in TSB 02-1-9. In some cases that means 5w30 for 2001 vehicles, but for most, that means 5W-20. Many people believe 5W-20 will be too thin to protect vehicles in high ambience such as experienced in Arizona at 120 degrees. Keep in mind that both 5w30 and 5W-20 were both fully tested, including Arizona proving grounds and experienced these very high ambient temperatures. The 5W-20 past all requirements and in some instances proved to be a better oil than the 5w30. So customer should not be hesitant in using 5W-20 for those vehicles where it is recommended."
Also
"Q. What durability tests have been done on this new grade of oil in excess of the warranty period?
A: Motorcraft 5W-20 was tested in the Arizona and Nevada desert heat, in Expeditions and Navigators loaded down to the max trailer towing capacity for up to 250,000 miles with extended drain intervals (15,000 miles). It was also tested in a fleet of taxis for stop-and-go testing and in the extreme colds of MinnesotA. In all cases, Motorcraft 5W-20 performed exceptionally with no oil-related failures. "
Referenced from the following link.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/se...=clnk&gl=us
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"The 5W-20 past all requirements..."
Really?
Really?
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Originally Posted By: Oil Changer
"The 5W-20 past all requirements..."
Really?
^^Haha that`s hillarious!
"The 5W-20 past all requirements..."
Really?
^^Haha that`s hillarious!
wow it surprises me how thin the oil you guys are using with these modern cars.
Our old boxer alfas from Europe specify a min of 10w/50.
In hot 35-40c summers my tappets tend to bleed down with a 50 oil.
10w/60 is working just nicely.
Our old boxer alfas from Europe specify a min of 10w/50.
In hot 35-40c summers my tappets tend to bleed down with a 50 oil.
10w/60 is working just nicely.
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Originally Posted By: Brit33
wow it surprises me how thin the oil you guys are using with these modern cars.
Our old boxer alfas from Europe specify a min of 10w/50.
In hot 35-40c summers my tappets tend to bleed down with a 50 oil.
10w/60 is working just nicely.
Given the VII content to get a 10W60, I suspect that there's pretty significant shearing issue going on.
Last time I serviced an Alfa spyder converable (2-dr, FI), I used 10W30 for 6kkms.
Q.
wow it surprises me how thin the oil you guys are using with these modern cars.
Our old boxer alfas from Europe specify a min of 10w/50.
In hot 35-40c summers my tappets tend to bleed down with a 50 oil.
10w/60 is working just nicely.
Given the VII content to get a 10W60, I suspect that there's pretty significant shearing issue going on.
Last time I serviced an Alfa spyder converable (2-dr, FI), I used 10W30 for 6kkms.
Q.
I have run 5w-20 in a Ford for all 140K of its life, and it still doesn't consume oil, or show any wear related issues.. Good 5w-20's seem to get the job done...
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