When Did 5W/30 Become Mainstream in The US

[dave1251]

Originally Posted by oil_film_movies
Originally Posted by EddieCairns
At what time did the oil technology improve to allow it to be used year round.
The very first 10w30 multi-viscosity oils were introduced in the U.S. in 1953 (Amailie, Kendall, Phillips oil). Prior to that, engine makers said to put in 10% kerosene in the winter to thin a straight grade.

I had thought people used very thick oil back in the 1920's thru 1960-ish. I think I was mostly wrong. Owner's Manuals were in the SAE 20 to 30 viscosity range for many years. Sure, people who had hot rods often knew to put in a 40 or 50 weight, due to cam lobe forces and how the greater torque and RPM would stress out crank bearings, etc.

Also, recently I found out that, in WWII, when U.S. Packard was making Merlin engines for P-51 fighters, they said to use SAE 50 for that high powered engine.

From a recent post.
Originally Posted by oil_film_movies
Originally Posted by K20FA5
Remember not all that long ago when the manufactures started specing 5W-30 and everyone said that was too thin?

Guessing people just freak out over the "5w" part because they don't understand its just a cold temperature rating. ... I heard an autoparts counter guy complain that German Castrol 0w30 was "like water" because of the "0w" rating (year: 2003), just silly.

Wonder what people have done with SAE viscosity grades over many years? If we go back further in time,
1980: 10w30 or Xw40: mobiloil.com goes as far back as 1980 on oil recommendations.
1978: the new Mobil 1 5w-20 was introduced
1957: SAE 20 or 30 ... http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/manuals/Chevy/1957/Owners/pages/25_jpg.htm
1950: SAE 20 ... http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyowner/50om22.htm
1940: SAE 20 ... http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyowner/40om44.htm
1934: SAE 30 ... http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyowner/34om52.htm
.. and ZDDP wasn't there for most of the oils during the early time. It wasn't invented until 1941, and the industry got used to it years later, when they "discovered" it reduced wear greatly, in the 1950's.

At some point, if you ran a hot cam, stiff springs, you ran a 50 or 60 weight.
Yet most normal driving it was 20 or 30 weight for many years.


From 1934:




Yeah that dang CAFE and water oils of 1934.

 

[oil_film_movies]

In the 1937 Chevy film below, they might just reveal why they didn't want you to put in anything thicker than SAE 30, even in the summer. Its due to the spray at the 7:00 point in the video:

 

[addyguy]

I think GM 'mandated' 5W-30 across the board in 1982 with the intro of the new J-bodies (Cavalier et al) and A-bodies (Celebrity et al).

I know my 1985 Buick Skyhawk called for nothing but 5W-30, and despite many problems, oil consumption wasn't one of them!

 

[AuthorEditor]

Back before 5W oils it could be hard to get your car to spin over fast enough to start in really cold weather, and the first few minutes of running were painful to hear. Even today I note a significant difference between a 5W synthetic and a 5W dino oil in starting performance in cold weather.

 

[WobblyElvis]

1979 Chev Malibu with a 5.0 litre V8, 5W30 year round in Canada.

 

[AuthorEditor]

I didn't realize that even in the 1950s car manufacturers were recommending 20 weight oil. This is from the manual for a 1956 Ford: "S.A.E. 20 or 20W Above 32 degrees."

 

[kschachn]

Right, but as Shannow has pointed out several times those were not the same as today's SAE 20 grades

 

[javacontour]

Didn't Ford update specifications and indicate 5w20 oils meeting some standard were suitable for vehicles previously calling for 5W30?

Originally Posted by ka9mnx
Originally Posted by javacontour
Just for giggles, I started entering cars we've owned in the Mobil recommendation website and my mom's old 1982 Cavalier called for 5W30.

https://mobiloil.com/en/product-selector

That's an interesting project but inaccurate. If I put my 1993 F150 it shows 5w-20. It clearly states on the emission sticker (and the manual) 10w-30.

 

[CR94]

My 1981 Mazda manual allows
5W-30 only below 32°F (0°C),
10W-30 only below 86°F (30°C), and
5W-20 only below -4°F (-20°C).

That advice seems to reflect an assumption the multi-grades of the time (except xW-40 ones, inexplicably) would shear badly out of grade.

 

[csandste]

Think a lot of the 5w30 recommendations in the nineties were moved up to 10w30 by people that didn't totally trust the lighter weights, much like lots of people move from 5w20 to 5w30 now.

Thanks for those old owners manuals. First family cars were 50 and 57 Chevies. I first drove the fifty when I was about eight years old. Seat pushed all the way up and look under the wheel. Read the entire manual, interesting to say the least.

Think my first car, a 53 Merc was running 10w through a South Dakota winter. Made horrible noises in spring and threw in a can of STP which quieted things down nicely. In that case, STP DID work.

 

[javacontour]

The recommendation for my 1999 MGM is similar to the 93 F150 mentioned above. My car calla for a 5W30 and the Mobil link lists a newer Ford Specification and 5W20 oil.

Ford probably wrote something saying one could use an updated spec 5W20 in place of older specifications.

 

[DoubleNickels]

My 97 Explorer was 5W-30. TSB called for 5W-20. Which ran fine. Now that the new cars owners manuals say that 0W-20 can be used for 5W-20, and some oil bottles are labeled as 0W-20 for 5W-20, I use 0w-20. No oil related problems. Oil light isn't on. No leaking. No extra oil consumption. Car is not over heating. But no gains either.

 

[DoubleNickels]

Originally Posted by javacontour


Ford probably wrote something saying one could use an updated spec 5W20 in place of older specifications.



TSB 02-1-9 ENGINE OIL - RECOMMENDED APPLICATIONS FOR SAE 5W-20 AND SAE 5W-30 MOTOR OILS - GASOLINE AND FLEXIBLE FUEL VEHICLES ONLY
Publication Date: JANUARY 14, 2002

FORD:
1992-2002 CROWN VICTORIA
1993-1994 TEMPO
1993-1997 THUNDERBIRD
1993-2002 ESCORT, MUSTANG, TAURUS
1995-2000 CONTOUR
1998-2002 ESCORT ZX2
2000-2002 FOCUS
1993-1996 BRONCO
1993-1997 AEROSTAR
1993-2002 E SERIES, F-150, RANGER
1995-2002 WINDSTAR
1997-1999 F-250 LD
1997-2001 EXPLORER
1997-2002 EXPEDITION
1999-2002 SUPER DUTY F SERIES, SUPER DUTY F-53 STRIPPED CHAS.
2000-2002 EXCURSION
2001-2002 ESCAPE

LINCOLN:
1991-2002 TOWN CAR
1993-1998 MARK VIII
1993-2002 CONTINENTAL
2000-2002 LS
1998-2002 NAVIGATOR

MERCURY:
1992-2002 GRAND MARQUIS
1993-1994 TOPAZ
1993-1997 COUGAR
1993-1999 TRACER
1993-2002 SABLE
1995-2000 MYSTIQUE
1999-2002 COUGAR
1997-2001 MOUNTAINEER

NOTE: PLEASE REFER TO THE VEHICLE APPLICATION LIST LATER IN THIS TSB FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS TSB.

ISSUE: Ford Motor Company now recommends SAE 5W-20 viscosity grade for servicing most gasoline and flexible fueled vehicles.

ACTION: All 2001 and 2002 vehicles where SAE 5W-20 is specified should be serviced at the recommended oil change intervals using SAE 5W-20. This oil is an improved formulation to improve fuel economy. Testing has validated this viscosity grade can be used in many previous model year vehicles. It is recommended ALL vehicles on the following Vehicle Application Listing be service with SAE 5W-20.

All 2001-2002 vehicles other than those listed in the "Exception 2001 Vehicles" or "Exception 2002 Vehicles" chart are being filled with SAE 5W-20 motor oil at the factory and should also be serviced with SAE 5W-20 oil.

Vehicle Application Listing Approved For SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil
1993-1996 1.9L Escort/Tracer
1995-2000 2.0L Zetec Contour/Mystique
1999-2002 2.0L Cougar
1997-2002 2.0L Escort/Tracer
1998-2002 2.0L Escort ZX2
2000-2002 2.0L Focus
2001-2002 2.0L Escape
1993-1997 2.3L Ranger
1993-1994 2.3L Mustang
1993-1994 2.3L Tempo/Topaz
1998-2001 2.5L Ranger
1995-2000 2.5L Contour/Mystique
1999-2002 2.5L Cougar
2001-2002 3.0L 4V Escape
1996-2001 3.0L 4V Taurus/Sable
1993-2002 3.0L (Vulcan) Aerostar/Ranger, Taurus/Sable (Flexible Fuel and Gas)
1995-2000 3.0L (Vulcan) Windstar
1993-1994 3.0L (Vulcan) Tempo/Topaz
2000-2002 3.0L 4V Lincoln LS
1995-2002 3.8L Windstar
1993-1997 3.8L Taurus/Sable, Thunderbird/Cougar, Continental
1994-2002 3.8L Mustang
2002-2002 3.9L 4V Lincoln LS
1997-2002 4.2L (SPI) F-150 (under 8500 GVW only), E-Series
1996-2002 4.6L 2V Mustang
1992-2002 4.6L Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis
1991-2002 4.6L Town Car
1994-1997 4.6L 2V Thunderbird/Cougar
1996-2002 4.6L 4V Mustang Cobra
1995-2002 4.6L 4V Continental
1993-1998 4.6L 4V Mark VIII
1997-2002 4.6L 2V Triton F-150/250 (under 8500 GVW only), E-Series, Expedition
1993-1999 4.9L E-Series, F-Series
1993-1995 5.0L Mustang/Mustang Cobra
1993-1993 5.0L Thunderbird/Cougar
1997-2001 5.0L Explorer/Mountaineer
1993-1996 5.0L E-Series, F-Series, Bronco
2000-2002 5.4L Excursion
1998-2002 5.4L 2V/4V Navigator
1997-2002 5.4L 2V F-150/250 (under 8500 GVW only), Expedition, E-Series, E-350 Chassis/RV/Cutaway
1993-1997 5.8L F-Series, Bronco
1993-1996 5.8L E-Series
2000-2002 6.8L Excursion
1997-2002 6.8L E-Series, E-350 Chassis/RV/Cutaway
1999-2002 6.8L Super Duty F-Series 250 HD/350/450/550 Motorhome
1993-1998 7.5L All Vehicles
NOTE: FOR 1993 THROUGH 1998 MODEL YEAR FFV USE XO-10W30-FFV.

NOTE: THE "EXCEPTION 2001-2002 VEHICLES" SHOULD BE SERVICED WITH SAE 5W-30 MOTOR OIL.

Exception 2001 Vehicles
3.3L Villager
3.9L Lincoln LS
4.0L Ranger, Explorer/Mountaineer, Explorer Sport, and Explorer Sport Trac

Exception 2002 Vehicles
2.0L HP Zetec SVT Focus
3.3L Villager
4.0L Ranger, Explorer/Mountaineer, Explorer Sport, and Explorer Sport Trac
NOTE: IF VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED IN THIS APPLICATION, SAE 5W-30 OIL IS RECOMMENDED. REFER TO TSB 99-8-16.

PART NUMBER PART NAME
XO-5W20-QSP SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil - Quart (USA)
CXO-5W20-LSP12 SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil - Litre (Canada)
XO-5W20-5QSP SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil - 5 Quart Jug (USA)
XO-5W20-DSP SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil - 55 Gallon Drum (USA)
CXO-5W20-DBSP SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil - 205 Litre Drum (Canada)

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 99-8-16
SUPERSEDES: 01-4-7

 

[bbhero]

Originally Posted by PimTac
My 1992 Mitsubishi called for 5w30.



Yeah I was thinking early to mid 90s... When it became "mainstream" for 5w30.

 

[DoubleNickels]

I have been using 0W-20 for years in my old Explorer w/ 5.0 V8. Most driving is on long road trips, where I cover a few thousand miles from Mexico border to Canada border. Road trip starts and ends with fresh oil. My friends say I am wasting oil. I don't care. Oil could be up to a year old, in an old engine. $15 for 5 quarts of Walmart is cheap enough for me not to take a road trip with old oil.

 

[javacontour]

Originally Posted by DoubleNickels



TSB 02-1-9 ENGINE OIL - RECOMMENDED APPLICATIONS FOR SAE 5W-20 AND SAE 5W-30 MOTOR OILS - GASOLINE AND FLEXIBLE FUEL VEHICLES ONLY
Publication Date: JANUARY 14, 2002




That is the one I was thinking of...

 

[bbhero]

Originally Posted by DoubleNickels
I have been using 0W-20 for years in my old Explorer w/ 5.0 V8. Most driving is on long road trips, where I cover a few thousand miles from Mexico border to Canada border. Road trip starts and ends with fresh oil. My friends say I am wasting oil. I don't care. Oil could be up to a year old, in an old engine. $15 for 5 quarts of Walmart is cheap enough for me not to take a road trip with old oil.



I agree ^^^^^^.

 

[RayCJ]

I was using 5w30 in 1981. My first new car was a 1981 Toyota Corona. I lived in Chicago and used 5w30 in the winter and 10w-40 in the summer for the 18 years I owned that vehicle. In the early years, I could only get Castrol in 5w30 and later on, Havoline carried it too.

The car is long gone but I still have the owner's manual. I'm looking at it right now and it only shows a "arrow diagram" of what oils to use based on temperature. It says, any SE grade oil for the temperature shown in the diagram. It even gives an option for 20w50.

Ahhh, those were the days.

 

[jongies3]

Originally Posted by addyguy
I think GM 'mandated' 5W-30 across the board in 1982 with the intro of the new J-bodies (Cavalier et al) and A-bodies (Celebrity et al).

I know my 1985 Buick Skyhawk called for nothing but 5W-30, and despite many problems, oil consumption wasn't one of them!

Don't think so, the Buick in my signature calls for 10W-30 still but recommends 5W-30 for below freezing.

 

[Garak]

You and addyguy are both right, if I recall correctly. There was a deviation in the specs between the States and Canada for a period of time, and even the fill cap not matching the manual here. My god daughter had a Monte from that vintage, and it had 10w-30 on the cap and 5w-30 in the manual, along with GM's customary mention of 0w-30 for Arctic conditions.