0W-20 or 5W-30 for a Plug-in Hybrid (Subaru)

F

folzag2

Joined
Oct 4, 2024
Messages
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Co-worker got a new Subaru Forester plug-in hybrid. Sedate driving style. Portland, OR climate.

I told her she should ignore the manufacturer's advice and do the first oil change at 500 miles on her own dime. I also told her to ignore the manufacturer's advice about 0W20 and use 5W30.

Then I saw it was a plug-in hybrid and recanted. I said plug-in hybrid engines don't run as hot and have frequent start/stop cycling, so a thin oil is probably better given that. I stuck to the 500 miles for first oil change, but now that I think about it, even that might not apply if she's doing a lot of driving on just the battery. Not entirely sure on her typical usage.

I think if it were a Toyota or Honda with their renowned manufacturing tolerances, I'd not hesitate to run 0W20. But not sure where Subaru falls these days, so I still have some reservations about 0W20.

What do folks recommend? Also thinking maybe depends on her usage, whether it gets decent highway miles or just around town for shopping. She works from home as well, so not even doing daily commutes.

(Yes, I saw this thread. Didn't seem to quite cover it.)
N

Thread '0w20 vs 5w30 Hybrid'

Recently got a hybrid car. In the USA they spec 0w20 and overseas they spec 5w30.

Im not from the US just in case.
Would 0w20 really flow that much better from the constant start/stops of a hybrid engine or the 5w30 would provide better protection?

Ambient temp never gets below 23-24c which is around 73f-75f

Just looking for opinions, we are in bitog afterall
 
I'm using the Valvoline Hybrid 0w20 in a 2025 Honda Accord. They claim it helps deal with moisture if the oil isn't getting to the optimum temperature. Who knows? The drive train is so smooth it's hard to tell when it's in EV mode or not . Valvoline does make a 0w-30 Hybrid oil but it's not readily available in US
 
I have a Sienna Hybrid that calls for 0w-16. I have multiple and varying driving use applications. These include my driving habits, the general function of a hybrid engine’s stop/start function, plus generally running cooler. It also goes without saying, fuel dilution. My driving habits are short tripping. I decided to use Mobil 1 0w-20 hybrid oil. Researching Valvoline 0w-20 hybrid oil, I like what I see according to their PI sheet. I don’t see this as a gimmick or marketing ploy. The specs appear good to me. So good that this oil may also be ideal for DW 2007 RAV4 since she short trips more than me.

IMG_9143.webp
 
folzag2 said:
Co-worker got a new Subaru Forester plug-in hybrid. Sedate driving style. Portland, OR climate.

I told her she should ignore the manufacturer's advice and do the first oil change at 500 miles on her own dime. I also told her to ignore the manufacturer's advice about 0W20 and use 5W30.

Then I saw it was a plug-in hybrid and recanted. I said plug-in hybrid engines don't run as hot and have frequent start/stop cycling, so a thin oil is probably better given that. I stuck to the 500 miles for first oil change, but now that I think about it, even that might not apply if she's doing a lot of driving on just the battery. Not entirely sure on her typical usage.

I think if it were a Toyota or Honda with their renowned manufacturing tolerances, I'd not hesitate to run 0W20. But not sure where Subaru falls these days, so I still have some reservations about 0W20.

What do folks recommend? Also thinking maybe depends on her usage, whether it gets decent highway miles or just around town for shopping. She works from home as well, so not even doing daily commutes.

(Yes, I saw this thread. Didn't seem to quite cover it.)
N

Thread '0w20 vs 5w30 Hybrid'

Recently got a hybrid car. In the USA they spec 0w20 and overseas they spec 5w30.

Im not from the US just in case.
Would 0w20 really flow that much better from the constant start/stops of a hybrid engine or the 5w30 would provide better protection?

Ambient temp never gets below 23-24c which is around 73f-75f

Just looking for opinions, we are in bitog afterall
Click to expand...
I switched to 5w-30 in our Hyundai sonata hybrid. Fuel dilution thins out the oil because they're always stopping and starting, not getting as hot.
The 20wt oil was getting down to around 4cSt at 100c with 5% fuel dilution.
 
as much as Valvoline is a good, they are really sketchy on their pds,even when you call them, they tell you nothing, is why I went to PUP for engine oil, and Mobil is the same way, no transparency of their products either. Amsoil, Schaefers and others at least give you decent information.
 
I recommend follow manufacturer's recommendation until at least after warranty expires. They did the initial testing, they are on the hook for warranty repair, don't give them an excuse to weasel out of it. By then you should have enough online forum suggestions if something is wrong with the engine design and whether you need something different (sometimes changing oil more frequently regardless of weight, sometimes different weight, etc).
 
scoot said:
I'm using the Valvoline Hybrid 0w20 in a 2025 Honda Accord. They claim it helps deal with moisture if the oil isn't getting to the optimum temperature. Who knows? The drive train is so smooth it's hard to tell when it's in EV mode or not . Valvoline does make a 0w-30 Hybrid oil but it's not readily available in US
Click to expand...
My recommendation as well. Valvoline Hybrid 0w20 is among the thickest 0w20's, it is thicker than every single other 0w20 they offer.
 
oilstained said:
I have a Sienna Hybrid that calls for 0w-16. I have multiple and varying driving use applications. These include my driving habits, the general function of a hybrid engine’s stop/start function, plus generally running cooler. It also goes without saying, fuel dilution. My driving habits are short tripping. I decided to use Mobil 1 0w-20 hybrid oil. Researching Valvoline 0w-20 hybrid oil, I like what I see according to their PI sheet. I don’t see this as a gimmick or marketing ploy. The specs appear good to me. So good that this oil may also be ideal for DW 2007 RAV4 since she short trips more than me.

View attachment 282958
Click to expand...
It is the thickest in their entire 0w20 lineup, they are onto something there.
 
facility1 said:
as much as Valvoline is a good, they are really sketchy on their pds,even when you call them, they tell you nothing, is why I went to PUP for engine oil, and Mobil is the same way, no transparency of their products either. Amsoil, Schaefers and others at least give you decent information.
Click to expand...
What is a PDS going to tell you that the oil’s certifications and approvals won’t? Besides, a PDS is not absolute; read the fine print and somewhere, it almost assuredly says something to the effect of :

“Typical properties. Some variation will occur between batches.”

That means the piece of info you just labored over numerous PDSs to come up with “the best” properties is now exactly the same as the oil you previously overlooked because it was not “the best”.
 
SubieRubyRoo said:
What is a PDS going to tell you that the oil’s certifications and approvals won’t? Besides, a PDS is not absolute; read the fine print and somewhere, it almost assuredly says something to the effect of :

“Typical properties. Some variation will occur between batches.”

That means the piece of info you just labored over numerous PDSs to come up with “the best” properties is now exactly the same as the oil you previously overlooked because it was not “the best”.
Click to expand...
specs as CCU ,MRV ,FP ,etc,, typical VIS. .,just general specifications & licenses, approvals , go look at Schaeffer's, Amsoil, HPL and some others product data sheets for example given , much more useful information which helps describe the properties of the oil that help support the decision-making process of the lubricant to be wanted / used, or any other added info. I understand batch variances do occur with all blenders. it is rather sad some of the major oil Companys lack this kind of information.
 
SubieRubyRoo said:
not “the best”.
Click to expand...
Yup, not asking for a best b/c that is different for everyone. I believe I found my best…, for my use case, my application, my driving habits, the climate, auto hybrid powertrain application. And according to the publicly available information.

…until I find another best later.
 
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