5w-20 or 5w-30?

[Durango]

Originally Posted By: Brien
Wow, oil is getting expensive now!

I have a 2001 Galant with a 2.0. The manual calls for 10w30.

This same engine is also used in the Lancer. In that car it calls for 5w-20.

Would it be incorrect for me to believe that I could use 5w-20?


Brien,

When I had my Toyota Camry the manual gave me a wide range of oil weight to use based upon the region your in. I mainly used 10w30 but decided to try the 5W instead and it worked out well.

For I'd say it should be fine as the engine is the same. You'll see a small MPG increase if you drive easy too!

I've been contemplating on trying a 5W-20 myself in my 01' Durango V-8 but on another forum I was ill advised so I stayed with the 5w30.

Durango

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
If it is for fuel economy reasons then yes you likely can use a 20wt oil. At the very least I'd be using a modern 5w30 in the Galant.
Assuming you don't have an oil pressure gauge in you 11 year old Galant, if you drive the car conservatively (slow) with little WOT use then the 20wt oil should be more than fine.


Seems that nearly every recent post on BITOG discusses and recommends using the thinnest possible oils regardless of the age, miles, mechanical condition or type of vehicle. You and a couple others are the only ones that raise the concern over oil pressure. Would be helpful if you could elaborate a little. Many cars do not have oil pressure gauges, just low oil pressure lights. In those cases how would we know that the thin oil recommendations are safe? a used oil analysis before and after?



Ooh....Ohhhh...I know!!! A flickering oil light @ idle like my old 75 Granada!

Exactly. The uh oh 5psi light. Only then will you know the oils slipping though the bearings of the old beast.

 

[Brien]

Well, decided to try 5w-20 and see what happens. "Winter" is finally here.

I had to get the Rotella 15w40 out of it.

Went with Quaker State Green Bottle.

 

[Jeff_in_VABch]

Originally Posted By: Brien
Well, decided to try 5w-20 and see what happens. "Winter" is finally here.

I had to get the Rotella 15w40 out of it.

Went with Quaker State Green Bottle.


Let us know what you think.

You shouldnt notice anything.

 

[Brien]

I already noticed valvetrain noise isn't as loud in the morning on a cold start.

This was due to a 15w old with ~5k miles on it though