0w30 for 2005 Chrysler 2.4?

[UNC017]

Here's one I'd like to run by the BITOG-ers. My wife has a 2005 PT Cruiser that we picked up back before new year's. 40k miles- just a baby. I've been a Mopar guy forever, but this is my first 4-banger and I know relatively little about the habits of the 2.4- I really figure'd I'd never own anything smaller than the 3.5 v6 she had before this, but she loves the PT. Oh well.

Anyway, when I did the PT's first oil change (about 5 minutes after getting it home the first time ;-) I just went with the recommended 5w30, using my modern car oil of choice, M1. Its now time for another since I'm "short-changing" the first couple of times because I don't know what was run in it before we got it.

So does anyone know if 0w30 would be of any benefit in this vehicle? Extreme cold isn't ever an issue in Central Texas, but from what I've been reading here it looks like the 0wXX oils are often a bit better in both base stock and additive package than the 5wXX and 10wXX options.

The other thing I've toyed with is 5w20 or 0w20, if I can confirm that the Chrysler 2.4 (as opposed to the 2007-up "World Engine" 2.4 that replaced it) is suitable for 5w20 or 0w20.

TIA.

 

[addyguy]

I do think the 0w30 Mobil 1 is a bit better than its 5w30 stablemate, so if you can get, I'd use it. Mobil claims a fuel savings with that oil as well, so you might come out ahead.

If you're out of warranty on that vehicle, you might also want to think about running Mobil 1 10w30, its also considered a better bet than the 5w30. Its actually thinner at operating visc. than the 0w30 you are considering (10.0cst vs. 11,0cst), so it will help you get good mileage as well

Don't know about 20 weights in 'older' Chryco 2.4's...I'd just stick with Mobil 1 0w30 or 10w30...

 

[SuperDave456]

If you are going to full synthetics I would try to extend the OCI's just to save some money.

For short oil runs just run inexpensive dino.

Also, most 4 cyl engines are designed for 5w20's, check the manuel and see what the manufacturer says.
The idea behind having only 4 cylinders is that you have a lighter car, and it can better utilize a smaller engine. Perhaps getting better gas mileage.
I used to love having 6 cylinders and being able to gun it at 65-70 mph and get around traffic. However, alot of the smaller cars with 4 cylinders have a better weight/power ratio than my Taurus.

With the slow but sure increase in 4 cylinder engines I give it 5 years (perhaps 4 depending on the Executive office) before we are discussing the merits of "heavy" 20 weights compared to "fuel efficent" 10 and 5 wieght oils.

If your manuel says to take a look at the 20 weights, I would take a look at the full synthetic 20's and extended OCI's. They seem to have awsome basestocks.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that engine can use 20-grade oils as well. I know my dad's 08 2.4 PT Cruiser can, and I believe the '05 had the exact same engine (Dodge Neon engine I think?), so if I were you, I'd try some 5W-20 in that ride

 

[Finklejag]

My parents have a 02 PT. It gets terrible gas mileage, 25MPG tops on the highway. I buy all the oil and filters for them. They do once a year OCI's. I used PP and GC in the past. I just bought Mobil 1 0w30 for this years OCI. If they can get a 1-2 mpg increase on the highway, that would be great. I will be replacing the PVC valve and breather filter when i visit next also.

 

[UNC017]

Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that engine can use 20-grade oils as well. I know my dad's 08 2.4 PT Cruiser can, and I believe the '05 had the exact same engine (Dodge Neon engine I think?), so if I were you, I'd try some 5W-20 in that ride

Actually that's the very question: IS the current PT engine the same, and the last info I found would seem to indicate that the Chrysler 2.4L DOHC which I have was phased out at the end of 2006. 2007 and up PTs apparently get the replacement "world engine" which is a joint project between Chrysler, Hyundai, and Mitsubishi. Its all pretty heavily based on the Chrysler 4-cylinder family (which dates all the way back to the 2.2/2.5 of the 80s- the 2.0/2.4 were all-new blocks but they shared a lot of critical dimensions with the 2.2). But the World Engine has a whole lot of other differences, too. I don't think I'll be going to Xw20 in it for that reason.

 

[UNC017]

Thanks for the comments, guys. Covering a few replies here:

RE gas mileage: Yes, the PT is a bit on the low side for its size- our best to date in it has been about 27.5 highway. The car it replaced was much larger and more powerful- a 93 Eagle Vision TSi, 215HP v6- and it could get over 30 mpg back in its prime. But the PT is about style, *and* its about the most solid, best put-together car I've seen since the early 90s. Real quiet, real solid, no Honda-like acres of cheap grey plastic inside. Bottom line- Wife's always wanted one and is in heaven with it, I like it more than I expected, and I still have the 66 and 69 with 440s to satisfy my need for acceleration

But the relatively low mileage is one reason that I'm thinking of a thinner oil. Its not going to work a miracle, but it might help a little.

Synth vs. Dino- I'm not a Dino user since the late 80s, period. I know its cheaper and protects just fine, but oil change cost is down in the noise when it comes to cost of ownership overall. Especially since I run about 5-9k mile OCIs. After the 93 Vision ran 250,000 flawless miles on 7-9k OCIs on M1 and was as clean inside as the day it was built when I did some gasket work at 200k, I'll never go back. Not ever having to see that yellow varnish film that forms in even the best-kept dino-fed engines (see pictures elsewhere on this forum) keeps me with synthetics. Just a personal choice- I know the yellow film is harmless, but I don't like it.

 

[daman]

Yes definitely go with the 0w30 it's a fine oil and should serve your PT well.

i've ran 0w30 out as far as 7,000 miles before,very little usage
great oil pressure.

 

[VNTS]

PT's get the old std 2.4 not the world engine.

I have an 03 GT stick. I run 0w-30, 5w30 and 10w30. Amsoil in the winter and other flavor I pick up cheap like PP or Q Tourque Power.

Do you have the Turbo??

Watch the LCA bushings and the front wheel bearings, only two problem areas on them.

Join this site if you want to hang out with the fanatics
http://www.PTCrew.com

 

[hooligan24]

my 05 turbo charged 2.4L Neon is spec'd for 5w30. I have had great results with 0w30 in the past. I primarily use 5w30 though. Mojarity of my fills have been of an Amsoil flavor.

 

[UNC017]

Originally Posted By: VNTS
PT's get the old std 2.4 not the world engine.


Interesting, I've read several places they changed to the W.E. in 2007, but then I've never looked at an 07 PT.

Quote:
Do you have the Turbo?


It WOULD a turbo / stick if it were my daily car, but its just a normally aspirated, automatic shifted, Touring Edition, really not very highly optioned at all. No overhead console, steelies with hubcaps, etc. But its very nice for my wife's needs and she loves it.
Quote:
Watch the LCA bushings and the front wheel bearings, only two problem areas on them.


Thanks. What about the engine torque struts? It came with one of those already worn and had a wicked shimmy a 20 MPH under acceleration. Torque struts seemed to have fixed that, but I though it was odd that one was already bad at only ~30k miles

Quote:
Join this site if you want to hang out with the fanatics
http://www.PTCrew.com


Thanks for that, too, I'll check it out. Most of the PT forums I looked at seemed really non-tech, and that's not my deal. Wifey can worry about cutesy appearance mods, I want to know about bushings, bearings, oil, and maintenance procedures.