Is there any reason to shy away from 0w30 oils if the manual says to use 5W-40? Will there be any ill effects?
0W-30 vs 5W-40?
- Thread starter brianpavlovic
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On which vehicles? I would tend to use what the oem manual specifies. For example on a TDI Jetta which specifies 5w40, there is quantitatively and qualitatively MORE wear on the critcal parts. Will this make a difference over a normal 8/8.5 year cycle with 12-15k per year use 96k- 128k mileage interval which the avg folk tends to keep their cars? Probably not. If anything it will be the next owners problem.
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I'd rather use a 0W-40 than a 0W-30, if a 5W-40 is required.
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I would use 0w30 ONLY IF it meets the same specifications as the recommended 5w40.
What moribundman said
Alot of 40's end up as 30's, so if the 30 is very shear stable I would go with that. My VW's manual states that the factory fill was 5w-40, but it also states the very best oil for my motor will meet the 503.01 spec. I haven't found a 5w-40 that meets it so I use GC that does.
The both the 5W-40 and the 0w30 have the same specs and are both 502 approved. Now what?
Patman
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My mom's 2001 VW Golf recommends 5w40, but I put GC 0w30 in her car instead.
GC is pretty close to being a 0w40 anyhow.
GC is pretty close to being a 0w40 anyhow.
If the actual 40°C and 100°C viscosities overlap, and the specs match, go for it.
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Like I said, if the specs match, I would (and sometimes do) use 0w30 vs. 5w40.
I suspect the 0w30 that you are asking about is GC, no?
I suspect the 0w30 that you are asking about is GC, no?
Brian,
Most 5w-40 oils will shear down and end up thinner than GC anyway. GC is a shear stable heavy 30 weight and the way to go in my opinion.
Most 5w-40 oils will shear down and end up thinner than GC anyway. GC is a shear stable heavy 30 weight and the way to go in my opinion.
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