0W-30 in "cheap" synthetics

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South Dakota
Might be a Newb question, but does anyone have insight on why it seems tough to find 0W instead of 5W in the cheaper or house brand synthetic oils? I usually use QSUD in 5W30 as menards sells the quart bottles on sale for $2.99 after rebate, but not the 0W (I've only found the 0W30 in 5 quart bottles). I've been looking at supertech and Havoline Pro DS, but seems like they're also tough to have in 0W30 weight.
 
0w30 is not a high demand product. 5w30 is pretty much the same with the exception of a few degrees advantage in very cold weather. Chances are you will have other measures in place when temps get down to -25 below or more.

Here is another thread with more info.



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Might be a Newb question, but does anyone have insight on why it seems tough to find 0W instead of 5W in the cheaper or house brand synthetic oils? I usually use QSUD in 5W30 as menards sells the quart bottles on sale for $2.99 after rebate, but not the 0W (I've only found the 0W30 in 5 quart bottles). I've been looking at supertech and Havoline Pro DS, but seems like they're also tough to have in 0W30 weight.
If I may what is 0W really going to buy you over 5W ? They are so close it doesn't matter. Except maybe if one is on sale at a really good price.
 
If I may what is 0W really going to buy you over 5W ? They are so close it doesn't matter. Except maybe if one is on sale at a really good price.
OP is in South Dakota....where a 0w will be useful.

SDGolden I've got to agree that a 0w is much less frequently purchased so might not have the volume needed? *shrugs* Dunno.

You could always order from WM, Amazon or Costco online.
 
OP is in South Dakota....where a 0w will be useful.

SDGolden I've got to agree that a 0w is much less frequently purchased so might not have the volume needed? *shrugs* Dunno.

You could always order from WM, Amazon or Costco online.
Well really 5W is good to -39
 
If I may what is 0W really going to buy you over 5W ? They are so close it doesn't matter. Except maybe if one is on sale at a really good price.
It probably won't buy much, it was more curiosity. My manual specs 0W in temps below -20°, which it regularly is in the winters in Northern South Dakota. I was more curious than anything, didn't know if there was a difference in base stocks or something that deterred more value priced synthetics from being offered in a zero weight.
 
An alternative is 0W40 Euro oils for $24.xx / 5 qt. iirc, they are (M1?) on the thinner side of the 40 spec.
 
If I may what is 0W really going to buy you over 5W ? They are so close it doesn't matter. Except maybe if one is on sale at a really good price.

5w30 synthetic should allow for an engine to start at these temperatures, but I like having a 0w-something in the sump up here, at least during the winter. That said, you do see people running dino in the winter too, and seem to be fine for it. We seem to hit -20F at least a couple times a year, disregarding windchill. That said, very few engines call for 0w30, mostly just GMs mentioning it should be used below -20F. That's why we don't really see it in as many brands as 5w30 (or 0w20, for that matter, since that is a far more popular grade).
 

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Less packaging in the 5 qts bottle.
In terms of availability, it is called Supply and Demand.
The demand for 0w-30 is not that much anymore since more car are using the xw-20 now.
 
I believe it is all supply and demand. House brands are for more budget conscious consumers and house brands typically cycle through inventory quickly. Wouldn’t make sense stocking a low volume product when other SAE grades move off the shelves quicker.
 
I was more curious than anything, didn't know if there was a difference in base stocks or something that deterred more value priced synthetics from being offered in a zero weight.
5w30 oils are usually made out of gr. III/GTL......while 0w30 have a decent shot of PAO....

Keep in mind that @most populated places on the earth (at least for EU)...grade like 10w40 or 10w30 would cover 90% of what you need...

So first...you really dont need 0w unless you live in an arctic circle.....and second....0w is way pricier to make (PAO%)
 
It can get down to -40 to -50 in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota....

Certainly not every winter. No doubt. But it can get down that cold in those places. And obviously places in Canada north of those states it certainly gets that cold more often. When a snowpack is in place in Canada and in places like those states south of the US and Canada border and serious cold Arctic air moves from Siberia or from the Pole it can definitely get that cold in those northern tier states in the US.

Just a couple of winter's ago in 2018 or 2019 it was down to -25°F in northern Illinois.

The "polar vortex " is a normal phenomena seen every winter... Sometimes when upper level atmospheric conditions are right... It can and does drop rather far south and it does get exceptionally cold into those states.
 
0w30 was only really fielded in early european synthetics, Group IV majority oils initially offered a level of performance others couldn’t. hence the legend of german castrol.

non-specialist 0w30s from big oil serve to pad their lineups. diesel is also a different story
 
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The "polar vortex " is a normal phenomena seen every winter... Sometimes when upper level atmospheric conditions are right... It can and does drop rather far south and it does get exceptionally cold into those states.


Yep. It gets cold every winter and some places expect it and are used to it. Back in the day we just called it ,,,,,,,,,,,,winter.

Now the weather people come up with these fancy names to make it sound terrifying.
 
It can get down to -40 to -50 in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota....

Certainly not every winter. No doubt. But it can get down that cold in those places. And obviously places in Canada north of those states it certainly gets that cold more often. When a snowpack is in place in Canada and in places like those states south of the US and Canada border and serious cold Arctic air moves from Siberia or from the Pole it can definitely get that cold in those northern tier states in the US.

Just a couple of winter's ago in 2018 or 2019 it was down to -25°F in northern Illinois.

The "polar vortex " is a normal phenomena seen every winter... Sometimes when upper level atmospheric conditions are right... It can and does drop rather far south and it does get exceptionally cold into those states.
Yes b’y, don’t forget the Blue Northener in Texas. Heard they get a screecher of a wind. 🥶
 
Might be a Newb question, but does anyone have insight on why it seems tough to find 0W instead of 5W in the cheaper or house brand synthetic oils? I usually use QSUD in 5W30 as menards sells the quart bottles on sale for $2.99 after rebate, but not the 0W (I've only found the 0W30 in 5 quart bottles). I've been looking at supertech and Havoline Pro DS, but seems like they're also tough to have in 0W30 weight.

Because it requires use of more expensive synthetics to make. What's the use in being a budget brand that has to sell at premium prices?
 
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