5w20 in an ecotech anyone?

[JustinH]

My local Valu home center runs a deal for kendall (conoco philips) GT1 for a little over a dollar a quart a few times a year.

I usually stock up on the 5w30, and it has been working great in my 03 saturn ion (2.2L ecotech), for 4500 mile runs with a fram drop in cartridge.

My local walmart never has more than 1 or 2 bottles of motorcraft 5w30 in stock, and they want 2 dollars and change per bottle.

However, they have a bunch of the 5 quart jugs of motorcraft 5w20 for 10 dollars and change.

Does anyone have any used oil analysis with an ecotech running 5w20, or any advice?

Or should I just stick to my run of the mill API SM 5w30, and buy whatever is on sale..

Thanks,
Justin

 

[cmhj]

For a few pennies I'd stick with the factory rec on this one.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

I would use a viscosity your Ecotec owners manual calls for. I believe that's 5w30. Using the same oil, viscosity and OCI length as your Saturn would be good insurance for a long-life Ecotec engine. Kendall semi-synthetic is good oil.

 

[Drew99GT]

Although I doubt the 5w-20 would do damage, I have to agree with my compadres on this one.

5w-20 would work fine during winter if you do all short trip driving.

 

[mpvue]

I have the ECOTEC in my '04 VUE, and when I was thinking of running some 0W20 I had, the guys at the amsoil tech line recommended against it. really, it's not worth it, just to save a few pennies once in a while.

 

[JustinH]

Will stick with the kendall, and stock up when it goes for a dollar and some change a quart.

Thanks guys.

 

[badtlc]

There is a guy running 0w20 Amsoil in his sisters Sunfire on this board. THe used oil analysis have looked excellent.

 

[JTK]

Justin, I've got MC 5w-20 in my 2007 2.2L Ecotec. There doesn't seem to be as much cold start noise with it. I changed out the factory oil at 1500mi with Kendall GT-1 5w30, then swapped that out at 7900mi with the Motorcraft 5w-20. I'm currently at 9Kmi. I use 5w-20 in the van as well, so it keeps things simple. I'll run it until I see some data that supports 5w-20 will make your 5w30 engine go boom. IMO, these oils are so close in specs for your passenger car application, the engine won't know the difference. Plus, with gasoline the price it is, why not run it? FWIW, I buy Kendall GT-1 5w30 by the case from Valu when it's on sale as well. I do lots of family OCs with it.

Joel

 

[OriginHacker21]

I've run Mobil Clean 5000 5w20, 5w20 Amsoil XL and Amsoil 0w20 in my sunfire and the used oil analysis were perfect. I actually noticed the engine rev'ed to higher RPMs easier (could have been my imagination). However, I did not notice a MPG difference of much significance.

In the end I went with Amsoil 0w30 SSO. MPG stayed the same and I feel better knowing I "may not" be damaging my engine with 0w20. Honestly? I like trying different oils so me sticking with 5w20? hahaha......

 

[GMFan]

Engine calls for 5w30. Use it. The engineers who designed the engine know what's best for it. The only thing I think the 0w-20 does it void your manufacturers warranty on the engine. Engine oil viscosity can drop over time. I see a possible rod thrown if for some reason the oil loses it's viscosity on an engine that already requires a thicker oil.

My engine calls for 5w30 so I use it. 10w30 is o.k in the summer. That's the only exception I see that makes sense. GM's Ecotecs are phenomenal engines.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: GMFan
Engine calls for 5w30. Use it. The engineers who designed the engine know what's best for it. The only thing I think the 0w-20 does it void your manufacturers warranty on the engine. Engine oil viscosity can drop over time. I see a possible rod thrown if for some reason the oil loses it's viscosity on an engine that already requires a thicker oil.

My engine calls for 5w30 so I use it. 10w30 is o.k in the summer. That's the only exception I see that makes sense. GM's Ecotecs are phenomenal engines.



I agree 100% - you just beat me to the post!

 

[GMBoy]

I know there is a cult following coming along here at BITOG with the 20wt oils. Yes, some new engines are calling for this oil, but I do not see why so many people here are trying it in engines not spec'd for it. I do not feel there is enough MPG gained or quicker starting (or whatever you wish to add here) worth the risk of such a thin oil. Granted, it took me years and this board to get me to realize that you don't need a 20w50 to protect your motor better and that a good syn lube in 10w30 does a better job. Maybe in a few more years, I'll buy into the 0w20 or 5w20 oil parade. But for now, I think automakers do this just for MPG increases since every bit of help they can get they will use. Just my opinion here...

 

[artificialist]

AEhaas uses thinner oils than OEM spec, and his UOA reports show that it works. That in mind, I still don't have the guts to use 5w20 in my Ecotec 2.2 or in my dad's Ecotec 2.4.

 

[Fat Man]

Originally Posted By: JTK
Justin, I've got MC 5w-20 in my 2007 2.2L Ecotec. There doesn't seem to be as much cold start noise with it. I changed out the factory oil at 1500mi with Kendall GT-1 5w30, then swapped that out at 7900mi with the Motorcraft 5w-20. I'm currently at 9Kmi. I use 5w-20 in the van as well, so it keeps things simple. I'll run it until I see some data that supports 5w-20 will make your 5w30 engine go boom. IMO, these oils are so close in specs for your passenger car application, the engine won't know the difference. Plus, with gasoline the price it is, why not run it? FWIW, I buy Kendall GT-1 5w30 by the case from Valu when it's on sale as well. I do lots of family OCs with it.

Joel
I also use MC 5w-20 in my 2003 Sunfire (2.2). It has helped with the start up noise that these engines are known for. I run a 5000 mile interval. No problems with the oil in 25000+ miles.

 

[mpvue]

when I changed out my freinds 3 cars, the nissan p/u took 5W30, the T&C minivan took 5W30, but the amsoil application guide called for 0W20 in the '93 crown vic! but the owners manual and engine calls for 5W30, and he said he thought they all took the same oil. so, I sent an email to amsoil and they said that ford back spec'd ALL the 4.6 modular engines to a 20wt. we put 5W30 in it anyway
point being, the engineers felt they could do this for an engine that predates (I believe) 20wt, but that is now the recommended fill. I would think that alot of mfgrs will be going to lighter and lighter oils.

 

[hominid7]

I'd love to see Walmart carry the 5qt Motorcraft jugs in 5w30.