Run 0W-40 in a car requiring 5W-30?

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Hello everyone,

I wonder what happens to the car if I use other viscosity oil? My Nissan Versa 2016 owner manuals recommend 5W-30 or 10W30; what if I use 0W-40, 5W-40 or 10W-40? Does it provide better protection?

I read a post about using Mobil 1 0W-40 in a similar car: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthr...ke_#Post4563199

I recently changed my oil and I used Castrol Magnatec 5W-30 Dexos 1 Gen 2 along with a Fram Ultra. I think it smooths the engine pretty well because it now rarely has random shaking when travelling at low speed. I am not sure if it is the efforts of Castrol or the GM dexos specs was doing the trick. But the difference is very noticeable compared to the major brands oil used in the past two years. I am thinking of going to the 40 weight oil to see if it completely iron out the issue?

Any thoughts about switching to a higher grade? Will there any negative effects on the engine or the catalytic converter, for example?

Thank you,
John
 
Castrol Edge 0w-40 in my Ecoboost pickup, no problems at all. In fact, highly recommended!
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No negative wear effects. It could hurt the catalytic convertor if you consume more than about a quart every 3,000 miles due to the often higher phosphorus content in 0w40 oils. Its not much more phosphorus, so if you don't use much oil between oil changes, then its not a problem really.
You do increase engine friction going to a thicker (hot) oil like 0w40 (HTHS~=3.5) vs. an SN GF-5 5w30 (HTHS~=3.0), which translates into about ~1.5% less peak power and lower MPG too.
For a newer car like yours, I'd just stick with the 5w30 full synthetic you are already using. I doubt if engine wear will be helped by going to a 0w40, but a 0w40 could help if you're towing or running the engine hard in hot weather for a prolonged time.
 
Originally Posted By: johnchui1984
Do you feel any difference between 30 and 40 weight oil? Thanks


You won't and your Versa doesn't care.

Run the cheapest API SN 5w30 you can in it until you get sick of driving it.
 
Hello Mr Movies! Thanks for your detailed explanation! The car has zero consumption of oil. Current MPG is around 37-43 so 1.5% less efficiency is acceptable to me. I just wanna see if it helps solve the problem of random dumb shaking when going below 25 mpg. It is a great reliable transportation car so I want to keep it for a long time
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LOL I also run Mobile Super and Chevron Supreme in the past. But seems like they need longer time to warm up the engine in winter so I usually get syn-blend or full syn if they are on sale>
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Originally Posted By: johnchui1984
I just wanna see if it helps solve the problem of random dumb shaking when going below 25 mpg.


This is not a symptom of oil viscosity. Take it to a tech familiar with Nissan CVT's and have them properly diagnose it. Spoiler alert: Changing oil weight isn't the problem.
 
Originally Posted By: jayg
This is not a symptom of oil viscosity. Take it to a tech familiar with Nissan CVT's and have them properly diagnose it. Spoiler alert: Changing oil weight isn't the problem.
Very true. The Nissan (Jatco brand) CVT is notorious for odd behavior. I rented an Altima last year that started running at 3,000 rpm while on flat ground doing 30 mph steady. It wouldn't change ratios. The Hertz rental place said they get a lot of complaints and failures of Nissan CVT's .
 
I think the CVT works great in my car. To me sounds like the random shaking is from the engine position I believe? Just would like to see if changing oil weight helps. Provided that the 40 grade oil doesnt increase wear, I think I will give it a try next oil change
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Originally Posted By: johnchui1984
I think the CVT works great in my car. To me sounds like the random shaking is from the engine position I believe? Just would like to see if changing oil weight helps. Provided that the 40 grade oil doesnt increase wear, I think I will give it a try next oil change
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So you have convinced yourself that will help though there is no logical reason why it would?


You have speed dependent shaking which sounds to me like a driveline issue. Changing from 30 to 40 wt and expecting that to help it is the same as putting a new air freshener in it and expecting that to do something.
 
Originally Posted By: johnchui1984
Provided that the 40 grade oil doesnt increase wear, I think I will give it a try next oil change
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Going to a 40 grade oil from a 30 grade will not increase wear. You will be fine, cars are less fussy on oil weight than the average BITOG member.

Right now I'm running M1 5W30 (GF-5) my previous fill was SynPower 0W40 (A3/B4), they both work fine.
 
Would running a forty hurt the engine in any way?
No.
If the Magnatec seems smoother, you could try M1 or Castrol 0W-40 and see what happens.
OTOH, if things seem smooth on Magnatec 5W-30, you may have already found your oil.
If oil alone makes things smoother, I think this tells you that whatever issue you've had does not entirely involve the CVT.
Good luck getting a Nissan dealer to take this seriously enough to attempt to diagnose any CVT issues.
Car having no drive in any selector position would be serious enough.
Anything less would likely be written off as random noise.
 
I am wondering if this shaking is because the engine is lugging? The cvt is trying to keep a higher ratio for fuel economy reasons and since you mentioned that it happens at around 25mph then that is my guess.
 
Most people think that thin oil provides better protection because it gets to the top of the engine faster when you turn the key.
 
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