Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I think the primary reason that 0w30 oils aren't discussed as much is because the 30 grade in general isn't as popular in new vehicles as it once was, and the selection of 0w30 oil on the market is fairly limited compared with 0W-20.
Originally Posted By: JC1
It's funny how people in southern US climates are using a 0W-xx weight, when they don't even have temperatures that low that would really benefit from it.
I disagree with this statement. Even at 30*C/86*F (a hot "cold" start), the difference between Mobil 1 0W-20 and Mobil 1 5W-20 is non-trivial...about 67 cSt vs. 76 cSt when using Widman's calculator. And at 0*C/32*F, 5W-20 is a remarkable 400+ cSt, whereas the 0W-20 has thickened to around 300 cSt. I'd much rather my battery and starter have to crank over oil that's only 30x heavier than it should be, instead of oil that's 40x heavier than it should be.
"remarkable" numbers that mean absolutely nothing to start-up, as once at freezing temps, none of them are near their limits of pumpability).
Once started, at freezing, all will fill the galleries at the same rate, and get to the same places.
How does the 0W confer an advantage ?
For fun, you could look at the Mobil 0W, 5W, and 10W30 lineup and explain how the 0W is better....
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
In the United States, 0W-xx oils don't come at a price premium (within the synthetic product line). It's been my recommendation, regardless of your climate, to use a 0W-xx oil if you're already paying for synthetic oil anyway. You really have nothing to lose, and only stand to gain easier starting, even at "hot" cold start temperatures.
the 0W will typically be a lighter base oil, more VII, more polymers, and lower flash point and volatility...those are tradeoffs in the formulation, and certainly not "nothing to lose"
I think the primary reason that 0w30 oils aren't discussed as much is because the 30 grade in general isn't as popular in new vehicles as it once was, and the selection of 0w30 oil on the market is fairly limited compared with 0W-20.
Originally Posted By: JC1
It's funny how people in southern US climates are using a 0W-xx weight, when they don't even have temperatures that low that would really benefit from it.
I disagree with this statement. Even at 30*C/86*F (a hot "cold" start), the difference between Mobil 1 0W-20 and Mobil 1 5W-20 is non-trivial...about 67 cSt vs. 76 cSt when using Widman's calculator. And at 0*C/32*F, 5W-20 is a remarkable 400+ cSt, whereas the 0W-20 has thickened to around 300 cSt. I'd much rather my battery and starter have to crank over oil that's only 30x heavier than it should be, instead of oil that's 40x heavier than it should be.
"remarkable" numbers that mean absolutely nothing to start-up, as once at freezing temps, none of them are near their limits of pumpability).
Once started, at freezing, all will fill the galleries at the same rate, and get to the same places.
How does the 0W confer an advantage ?
For fun, you could look at the Mobil 0W, 5W, and 10W30 lineup and explain how the 0W is better....
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
In the United States, 0W-xx oils don't come at a price premium (within the synthetic product line). It's been my recommendation, regardless of your climate, to use a 0W-xx oil if you're already paying for synthetic oil anyway. You really have nothing to lose, and only stand to gain easier starting, even at "hot" cold start temperatures.
the 0W will typically be a lighter base oil, more VII, more polymers, and lower flash point and volatility...those are tradeoffs in the formulation, and certainly not "nothing to lose"
