I know that Mobil 1 0W20 is a very good oil especially for extremely cold climates. For NY winters where mornings are usually in the teens to 20's F* with occasional dips into single digits how does 5w20 conventional compare? I'm not interested in extending my OCI but am wondering if the cold-start capability of 0W20 matters much in my climate.
0W20 vs. 5W20 dino
- Thread starter pbm
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pbm, the only way to tell is to tell for sure is compare the two different oils with analysis.
Outside of that, my best guess is that it probably doesn't matter. I'm not sold on the cold-cranking numbers of some 5w20 conventionals out there...that they are THAT much better than their 5w30 counterparts. Check the mfr's data sheets to see if the 5w30 has better CC sim numbers than the 5w-20 counterpart. For example, Chevron/Havoline 5w20 CC spec is 5200cP and the 5w30 CC spec is 5700cP. Pennzoil 5w-20 CC spec is shown to be 5200 and the 5w30 is 5800cP.
I don't consider the difference in CC spec numbers, about 10%, to be too different to really notice in real world, day-to-day performance.
For comparison's sake, Chevron/Havoline's 5w-20 'full' synthetic shows a CC viscosity of 4200cP. Amsoil's 5w-20 synthetic, XLM, CC sim viscosity of 3818cP. Pennzoil's 5w-20 Platinum synthetic product, 4250cP. I couldn't find a CC spec number at Mobil's site. So the synthetic versions will have lower cold-cranking resistance.
From my seat of the pants view, using 5w-20 or 5w30 on ice cold 6°F mornings yielded no dicernable difference in engine sounds on my old Saturn. Comparatively, using 10w30 High Mileage oils was a different story...and I quickly switched it out for a 5w oil.
My recommendation is to use whatever 5w-20 or 5w30 that you like. While 0w oils are the best of the best for cold cranking, I doubt it ever gets that cold, from what you describe, to warrant the "zero" in the 0w-20. Then again, I have Mobil 1 0w-20 in my crankcase now!
Outside of that, my best guess is that it probably doesn't matter. I'm not sold on the cold-cranking numbers of some 5w20 conventionals out there...that they are THAT much better than their 5w30 counterparts. Check the mfr's data sheets to see if the 5w30 has better CC sim numbers than the 5w-20 counterpart. For example, Chevron/Havoline 5w20 CC spec is 5200cP and the 5w30 CC spec is 5700cP. Pennzoil 5w-20 CC spec is shown to be 5200 and the 5w30 is 5800cP.
I don't consider the difference in CC spec numbers, about 10%, to be too different to really notice in real world, day-to-day performance.
For comparison's sake, Chevron/Havoline's 5w-20 'full' synthetic shows a CC viscosity of 4200cP. Amsoil's 5w-20 synthetic, XLM, CC sim viscosity of 3818cP. Pennzoil's 5w-20 Platinum synthetic product, 4250cP. I couldn't find a CC spec number at Mobil's site. So the synthetic versions will have lower cold-cranking resistance.
From my seat of the pants view, using 5w-20 or 5w30 on ice cold 6°F mornings yielded no dicernable difference in engine sounds on my old Saturn. Comparatively, using 10w30 High Mileage oils was a different story...and I quickly switched it out for a 5w oil.
My recommendation is to use whatever 5w-20 or 5w30 that you like. While 0w oils are the best of the best for cold cranking, I doubt it ever gets that cold, from what you describe, to warrant the "zero" in the 0w-20. Then again, I have Mobil 1 0w-20 in my crankcase now!
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Your climate is similar to mine in Ky. I have used Motorcraft 5w20 blend for the last 2 winters in my Ranger (which stays outside) and have had easy starts on the coldest mornings. If this board is correct that Motorcraft is a Conoco product, their 5w20 blend has a cold crank of 3,700cp@-30C.
pbm, the only way to tell is to tell for sure is compare the two different oils with analysis.
Outside of that, my best guess is that it probably doesn't matter. I'm not sold on the cold-cranking numbers of some 5w20 conventionals out there...that they are THAT much better than their 5w30 counterparts. Check the mfr's data sheets to see if the 5w30 has better CC sim numbers than the 5w-20 counterpart. For example, Chevron/Havoline 5w20 CC spec is 5200cP and the 5w30 CC spec is 5700cP. Pennzoil 5w-20 CC spec is shown to be 5200 and the 5w30 is 5800cP.
I don't consider the difference in CC spec numbers, about 10%, to be too different to really notice in real world, day-to-day performance.
For comparison's sake, Chevron/Havoline's 5w-20 'full' synthetic shows a CC viscosity of 4200cP. Amsoil's 5w-20 synthetic, XLM, CC sim viscosity of 3818cP. Pennzoil's 5w-20 Platinum synthetic product, 4250cP. I couldn't find a CC spec number at Mobil's site. So the synthetic versions will have lower cold-cranking resistance.
From my seat of the pants view, using 5w-20 or 5w30 on ice cold 6°F mornings yielded no dicernable difference in engine sounds on my old Saturn. Comparatively, using 10w30 High Mileage oils was a different story...and I quickly switched it out for a 5w oil.
My recommendation is to use whatever 5w-20 or 5w30 that you like. While 0w oils are the 'best of the best' for cold cranking, I doubt it ever gets that cold, from what you describe, to warrant the "zero" in the 0w-20. Then again, I have Mobil 1 0w-20 in my crankcase now!
Outside of that, my best guess is that it probably doesn't matter. I'm not sold on the cold-cranking numbers of some 5w20 conventionals out there...that they are THAT much better than their 5w30 counterparts. Check the mfr's data sheets to see if the 5w30 has better CC sim numbers than the 5w-20 counterpart. For example, Chevron/Havoline 5w20 CC spec is 5200cP and the 5w30 CC spec is 5700cP. Pennzoil 5w-20 CC spec is shown to be 5200 and the 5w30 is 5800cP.
I don't consider the difference in CC spec numbers, about 10%, to be too different to really notice in real world, day-to-day performance.
For comparison's sake, Chevron/Havoline's 5w-20 'full' synthetic shows a CC viscosity of 4200cP. Amsoil's 5w-20 synthetic, XLM, CC sim viscosity of 3818cP. Pennzoil's 5w-20 Platinum synthetic product, 4250cP. I couldn't find a CC spec number at Mobil's site. So the synthetic versions will have lower cold-cranking resistance.
From my seat of the pants view, using 5w-20 or 5w30 on ice cold 6°F mornings yielded no dicernable difference in engine sounds on my old Saturn. Comparatively, using 10w30 High Mileage oils was a different story...and I quickly switched it out for a 5w oil.
My recommendation is to use whatever 5w-20 or 5w30 that you like. While 0w oils are the 'best of the best' for cold cranking, I doubt it ever gets that cold, from what you describe, to warrant the "zero" in the 0w-20. Then again, I have Mobil 1 0w-20 in my crankcase now!
MODERATOR, PLEASE DELETE THIS POST AND MY POST JUST BEFORE THIS ONE. I'M ALL THUMBS WHEN TRYING TO EDIT THE POST. (I HAVEN'T HAD MY COFFEE YET THIS MORNING.)
THANKS
MIKE
THANKS
MIKE
The 0w20 will be better. While Mobil 1 does not publish CCS and MRV, Pennzoil does. Is it of value? Well really the better 5w20's are very good already and better than just about any 5w30. My thoughts are if you can get it at the same price ok, if not go with the cheaper one. I'm using 0w20 PP in my Mazda now, and will go back to a PetroCan Conventional 5w20 when I'm done my stock, as it is nearly as good at much less cost. The Motorcraft/Conoco blend is a very good alternative to consider as well.
Not sure what your dfn of dino is but if you mean group I&II then I don't think there are any.
The benefits would be small, and would occur at start-up, not while up to normal temp. For frequent starts and short drives, it may be worthwhile.
Of course we all know that Group III is a synthetic. It says so on the container.
You probably would notice that it turns over a little easier on the colder days. Not a huge difference, but noticeable.
Save the extra bucks you would fork out for the Mobil 1 0w20. I was using Exxon Superflo 5w20 for a long time and its a VERY good oil. If the temps went down to -40 degrees, then it would matter what you use. Dont worry, use the 5w20 and will work just as well.
This has been my general experience with any weight of synthetic (save 15w30
Ooops! I meant 15W-50! --darn nonediting feature...
Are there any disadvantages in using 0w20 other than cost?
I think there are no disadvantages other than cost. But the issue is that the advantage over 5w20 is not that great.
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