Want to try 0w-20 in a xw-30 car... Thoughts?

[sullytex]

I tried to submit this but timed out I think.

Have a 2008 Suzuki SX4... No warranty... Uses O oil... Driven 70+miles weekdays and short tripped on weekends... It is spec's for 30w and now that it has cooled a bit here was thinking of trying Mobil 1 0w-20 AFE for an OCI.

Trying to conform the oil stash for 4 vehicles down to a single spec. I know there is a lot of talk of 30w shearing down and such so I though since I had already been operating in that range without knowing, just put it in there from the get-go.

Thoughts? Flames?

Sully

 

[BobsArmory]

 

[saberz]

A lot of people might advise against it. What type of driving do you? Short commutes? I had a jug of 5w20 around and figured I'd give it a shot for 3k or so miles and do a UOA. Figure I'd dump the FF at 4500 and ride out to 7000 for a dealer change and rotation.

Since you are out of warranty you could try it. In all reality you gain nothing(I haven't noticed anything in MPG) but my engine seems much much quieter on 20w than 30, even with cold starts. My commute is only 3-5 miles to work mix of highway and city.

So who knows */shrug

 

[chubbs1]

Go for it.

 

[law3500]

Should not be a problem. That specific motor is pretty tough and we had a ford dealer in town that used to have a suzuki franchise and they used bulk 5w20 in all of their suzuki oil changes and never had a problem. The only oil related failure I ever saw in 3 years with suzuki was due to a customer not changing the factory fill and sludging it up. The Suzuki forenza's(daewoo product) was a nightmare with many oil pump failures but the SX4 you have is designed and build in Japan and that motor is pretty bullet proof.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

30 is not supposed to shear down to a 20. As for my well considered opinion: I would not do it. I would also not use mobil 0w20. Ran like carp in the wife's forester. The Idemitsu SM so far isnt too bad.

 

[sullytex]

Commute is daily 36 miles one way, 72 both, usually more with some errands...

The car has never used a drop of oil. Has been on a steady syn diet since new. I don't drive hard but not like a grandma.

I wasn't expecting miracles, just easier maintenance and not having to worry about picking up the wrong bottle. Also, got my hands on Toyota 0w-20 for 5.41 a quart and might use that.

 

[sullytex]

Good info LAW, thanks!

 

[sullytex]

Thanks ARCO, Anies, and chubb! I 'll take all the info I can get!

 

[HTSS_TR]

I have xW20 in my E430 since 2008, 2 grades thinner than the spec oil M1 0W40.

I also have Synpower 5W20 in LS400, S2000 and Tracer too. All of them require xW30.

 

[CATERHAM]

I always recommend the installation of an oil pressure gauge if you want to eliminate all risk associated with running a lighter than spec' oil.

Having said that, M1 0W-20 is heavier than most 20wts with it's HTHSV of 2.7cP so it's viscosity at hot oil temp's won't be much lower than a sheared 5w30 dino.

I also agree that the Idemitsu SM 0W-20 is a very robust oil and would be a good choice.

 

[sullytex]

Thanks for letting me know, HTSS! I think those are better examples of fine engineering that my own vehicle though!

I'm leaning toward a yes right now.

 

[sullytex]

Thanks, CATERHAM! Your wisdom is always appreciated. I was thinking of getting ScanGuages for all my vehicles also. They say they do OP.

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I have xW20 in my E430 since 2008, 2 grades thinner than the spec oil M1 0W40.

I also have Synpower 5W20 in LS400, S2000 and Tracer too. All of them require xW30.


I have M1 0W-40 in my 5W-20 specked Marauder and 5W30 in my 5W-20 specked '07 Grand Marquis, so the Earth is still in balance...

 

[sullytex]

ROFL!

 

[45ACP]

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: sullytex
Thanks, CATERHAM! Your wisdom is always appreciated. I was thinking of getting ScanGuages for all my vehicles also. They say they do OP.

A scan gauge will only do OP if there is an OP sensor in the car. There is a good chance your car only has an idiot light switch instead of a sensor.

 

[tig1]

Many years ago(1978) I swithched my Dodge from 10-40 dino to M1 5-20 with no problems, except a little more oil usesage. One hugh benefit was how fast the engine started in -0F weather in Maine. In my Duratechs the 0-20 is outstanding. 10K OCI is no problem and my engines are quite and staying very clean.

 

[wiswind]

As XS650 states, the ScanGauge reads ONLY values for which there are sensors that are monitored by the computer.
I have the original ScanGauge, and the newer Scangauge II is even beter with more features.
The Scangauge & Scangauge II plug into the OBDII port and as such monitor / read values from the OBDII bus.
If the vehicle does not have a sensor for the value in the Scangauge display that you have selected, you will NOT get a value.
For instance, My vehicle does not have sensors for fuel pressure or manifold vaccum......so I get no value displayed for these.

I am not trying to turn you away from the Scangauge, in fact they are a very nice thing to have, and I'm very happy to own one.
However, to read oil pressure, you need to have a sensor that will measure that....regardless of what tool you buy.

 

[sullytex]

Thank you all for the insight and ideas!!!

Any specific oils other than what I mentioned should I keep in mind?