0w20 versus 5w20 -- engine damage??

[cdherman]

OK, I think this has been discussed in many threads before, but I'd like to ask it again.

My engine, like many, calls for 5w20. I'd like to see what happens to the winter fuel economy with 0w20. The vehicle sees mostly cold starts and short trips. OCI will be 5k or less (Oct 1 to April 1, likely to run 4k miles).

For the point of discussion, IGNORE what the factory says or what my warranty requires -- those issues I am willing to deal with.

I cannot personally see why a 0w20 could be inferior to a 5w20 over the miles I plan to run it. I'll use Amsoil or Mobil 1 0w20. Tell me why any sane person or company would state that a semisynthetic 5w20 was better than a synthetic 0w20 over 5k miles?

What possibly can a 5w20 do that a 0w20 cannot? Or is the 0w20 more likely to degrade than the 5w20?

Or do the manufacturers simply want to avoid specifying an oil that MUST be a full synthetic to be good?

Too many questions in one post I realize, but I am looking for your thoughts.

 

[G-MAN]

All 0w20 oils are made from PAO or Group III. That fact alone puts them a cut above conventional 5w20s.

Any engine spec'd for 5w20 will operate optimally on 0w20. Period.

 

[Ramblin Fever]

Go for it, they're both 20wts at operating temp. One is likely to flow faster at start-up then the other, that's the only diff.

 

[Dad2leia]

With winter coming, I would also use the 0w20, just for some more cold flow and pumpability. Like G-Man said, they all have to contain at least Group III basestock, so it's all good.

 

[pp_rp]

Ya, G-man is correct. This is why I'll be using a 0w30 this winter instead of 5w30..

 

[Nickdfresh]

The Amsoil 0W-20 looks and sounds like a very strong oil. I sincerely doubt a conventional 5W-20 (which are also Group II+ or II/III blends) is going to fair any better...

 

[Cutehumor]

I mixed mobil 1 0w20 and Mobil 1 Extended Performance 15w50 in my 06 vibe. It's been running for 2200 miles. Oil is still full and the engine hasn't blown up yet.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

0w20 is often the best of many oil worlds--the best possible MPG, fastest cold cranking you can get, and not too expensive.

Problem is, finding 0w-20 may not be easy to do.

 

[XPR]

Quote:

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Problem is, finding 0w-20 may not be easy to do.

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Just PM one of the Amsoil dealers on here.

 

[cdherman]

I got the last 6 quarts of Mobil 1 0w20 at Walmart for $3 each. That's what I have for a "trial". If I see an improvement in terms of mileage, I will get some Amsoil for next winter (08-09, as I cannot find Mobil 1 anywhere. O'reilley will order it by the case at 5.99, which is no bad deal either, considering that 0w20 Mobil 1 is rumored to have good base stocks as well.

Sounds like you fellas all see it the same as I do.

What has confused me frankly is that Toyota is using 0w20 in some of their newest engines, particularly the hybrids, and their TSB seems to read that you should NOT use the 0w20 oil in engines that spec the 5w20. Confusing ehhhhh???

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Quote:

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... and their TSB seems to read that you should NOT use the 0w20 oil in engines that spec the 5w20. Confusing ehhhhh???

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Yep, confusing. It's also a really stupid. Nothing like making the general public even *MORE* uneducated about oil.