5W-30 to 0W-20?

[Passport1]

Lots of chatter and documentation about going from thin to thick but no so much about going the other way. Could I go from recommended 5W-30 to 0W-20 in my Suzuki? It has a n/a, port injected 2.4 L4 engine. Chain drive timing system, no cam phasers. Normal compression ratio, uses 87 octane gas 56K miles, uses no oil between OCI. Mated to a JATCO cvt and driven gingerly

Asking because I have a surfeit of 0W-20 to use up as I only have one car that specs that viscosity.

 

[GW.]

It’s generally considered acceptable to lower the winter rating and/or raise the grade.

 

[fantastic]

Stick w/the grade in the manual. That being said if you're running that 20 grade for a few thousand each interval to use it up I don't think it will harm much. Go back to 30 once you can. Unless you have like 50k worth of 20 grade I'd say no way.

 

[skyactiv]

Why not 0W30, because there is less to choose from in that grade compared to 0W20 and 5W30's?

 

[SC Maintenance]

That engine has a fairly long timing chain driving two cam's. I would not if your planning to keep it forever.

If 100K miles and the car is gone - then sure.

Donate unused / sealed oil to habitat restore.

 

[kschachn]

The winter rating you want is determined by your expected starting temperature.

Grade illustrates the minimum HT/HS. I would not use an oil that has a lower. HT/HS then recommended. You can go up with no issue but going down is not a good idea. Film thickness protects against wear and a higher grade is beneficial.

 

[Cujet]

Sure, in very cold weather as in Alaska, that would be 100% appropriate. In less severe cases simply pick a quality 5W-30 synthetic. Some of the best ones have pour points in the -70ºF range. So there is near zero risk of oil starvation on startup.

 

[kschachn]

Sure, in very cold weather as in Alaska, that would be 100% appropriate. In less severe cases simply pick a quality 5W-30 synthetic. Some of the best ones have pour points in the -70ºF range. So there is near zero risk of oil starvation on startup.

Yet a 5W-30 still only achieves a 5W winter rating. That shows how the pour point does not accurately illustrate winter performance - especially in the aspect of gelling near the pickup under shear and causing starvation.

 

[Wireman1987]

Lots of chatter and documentation about going from thin to thick but no so much about going the other way. Could I go from recommended 5W-30 to 0W-20 in my Suzuki? It has a n/a, port injected 2.4 L4 engine. Chain drive timing system, no cam phasers. Normal compression ratio, uses 87 octane gas 56K miles, uses no oil between OCI. Mated to a JATCO cvt and driven gingerly

Asking because I have a surfeit of 0W-20 to use up as I only have one car that specs that viscosity.

If 5W20 is a choice in the manual then 0W20 is fine but if 5W30 is lowest grade stay in grade.

 

[JavierH19]

If I was forced to use a really good 0w-20 like pennzoil ultra platinum or Mobil 1 ESP in my 5w-30 spec 5.3 I wouldn't panic. If it was cheap 0/5w-20 maybe.

5w-30 is minimum 2.9 hths and stuff like Valvoline conventional lists 2.9 for the 5w-30 but more for the 10w-30.

0w-20 is usually 2.6 sometimes 2.7. Not a big difference.

I'd rather buy some thicker oil like 20w-50 and mix it. I've done that before with 5w-20 I got super cheap.

 

[TijY_]

Polish manual.

So xW20 in hot climate probably not the best idea. How much 0W20 do you have?
I vote for frankenbrew time.

 

[fantastic]

Perhaps it would be okay if used during the winter months? How's your temps?

 

[Passport1]

Low about 20f at night once in a while. Average temps here 40-50f in the winter.

 

[Patman]

Low about 20f at night once in a while. Average temps here 40-50f in the winter.

With weather like that you could safely run 0w-20, especially if you’re not driving it that hard.

 

[fantastic]

Low about 20f at night once in a while. Average temps here 40-50f in the winter.

Yeah, just throw that 20 grade in there...it'll be fine at those temps.

 

[Escape08]

It's all about car engine's fuel consumption and emission control

 

[kschachn]

If 5W20 is a choice in the manual then 0W20 is fine but if 5W30 is lowest grade stay in grade.

Why is that? Technical reason please.

 

[Wireman1987]

Why is that? Technical reason please.

there’s no difference between a 0W and 5W20 it’s noted a 0W20 can be substituted for a 5W20 application

 

[ATex7239]

The pitfalls of excessive oil hoarding…

 

[fantastic]

Why is that? Technical reason please.

The oil companies tell us so. There was a recent post on here that said their 0w protects the same as their 5w posted right on the bottle as an example. I would say to be clear from my perspective is that if it's the same type of product line then going from a 0w to 5w...no difference. Run that 0w you always wanted to...