5w20 instead of 0w20 in downstate NY winter

[pbm]

Both of my Ford Duratecs call for 5w20 and our Mazda Skyactiv 2.5 calls for 0w20.

I have used 5w20 synthetic in the Mazda in warmer weather and would like to use it this winter because it's older (SN) than
the 0w20 I have on hand (SP). I'm talking about 5w20s such as QSUD, PP, Castrol Edge etc...

My question is at what temperature Fahrenheit does 0w20 make a difference over 5w20 full synthetic as far a flow to a cold OHC engine?

We see a handful of single digit F* temps a year max. with 0*F being a very rare exception.

 

[Fa24wrx]

5w will be fine until about -35*.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

5w30 will be fine in your Mazda

0w20 is mostly better well below zero. -35F is where 0w is a must. Above zero, you will be fine with 5w20.

 

[BISCUT]

I'm a bit north of you. Use a quality synthetic in any of the flavors and you are a - ok.

 

[Wheel366]

I just started using VRP 5W-20 and I am in norther NJ. I think you will be fine. I rarely see days below 0 in all my years of driving. I have been using 0W-20 in my Subarus and CR-V but I was using 5W-40 in my Audis with no issues. I do remember seeing those cars with temps slightly below 0.

 

[ATex7239]

 

[eljefino]

If you're just looking to use the oil up why can't you wait until next summer? Is storage a problem?

I'm running 5w20 in my Prii right now because it was cheap, but I'm switching back to 0w20 for the late fall and winter.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

If you're just looking to use the oil up why can't you wait until next summer? Is storage a problem?

I'm running 5w20 in my Prii right now because it was cheap, but I'm switching back to 0w20 for the late fall and winter.

Unless the actual temperature is colder than -30*C, 5w20 is fine. Remember that windchill only matters to exposed human skin, not engine oil. You can obviously use 0w20 in temps warmer than -30*C, but it’s not required.

 

[joekingcorvette]

I use a 0W20 in vehicles that state 5W20 on the oil cap and have never had a problem.

 

[Dave P.]

Pennzoil states that 0W-20 can be used wherever 5W-20 is recommended. It has been mentioned here on BITOG many times that the base oil of a 0W oil is likely superior to a 5W so that could be a plus also. If you look at the PDS sheets, it seems the 0W varieties many times have a higher 100*C viscosity than the 5W of the same oil. I've been using 0W-20 in my Honda for many years now with no ill effect and it now has almost 315,000 miles.

 

[Titan]

0w20's often have a better quality base oil than the 5w20's, and 0w20's often have a higher HTHS value. Those would be my only concerns...not the difference in ability to flow at temps lower than -35 F.

 

[Jpc1623]

I use 5w30 in 2019 Subaru Crosstrek which calls for 0w20. I live in northern Westchester county we will get to zero for a couple of days in the winter….never a issue starting.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Pennzoil states that 0W-20 can be used wherever 5W-20 is recommended. It has been mentioned here on BITOG many times that the base oil of a 0W oil is likely superior to a 5W so that could be a plus also. If you look at the PDS sheets, it seems the 0W varieties many times have a higher 100*C viscosity than the 5W of the same oil. I've been using 0W-20 in my Honda for many years now with no ill effect and it now has almost 315,000 miles.

Here you go.

 

[Aston4]

It doesn't get that cold in southern NY any more. 5w vs 0w will make zero difference. None. Back in the day when -20 wasn't uncommon on some of the "mountains" it might make a difference, but 0w oils didn't even really exist then. Engine block heaters were normal. Young'ns have no idea what vintage motor oil used to do at low temps, when synthetic oil was justna twinkle in some chemist's eye. Think Vaseline.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

It doesn't get that cold in southern NY any more. 5w vs 0w will make zero difference. None. Back in the day when -20 wasn't uncommon on some of the "mountains" it might make a difference, but 0w oils didn't even really exist then. Engine block heaters were normal. Young'ns have no idea what vintage motor oil used to do at low temps, when synthetic oil was justna twinkle in some chemist's eye. Think Vaseline.

I had a 1983 Honda Civic going to college back in '87. Manual recommendation I think was 10W-40. I remember dad dropping down a grade to I think 10W-30 for winter when I was 20 minutes from Canadian border in Potsdam, NY. I don't recall if 5W or 0W were even a thing then. I know mine got a lot Quaker State and Mobil dino whatever was on sale matched with whatever filter was on sale.

Freshman year for 2 weeks the midday high was -10F and in the -25>-30F at wake up. If I didn't have a battery from a V8 Chrysler there was no way that was starting. Many friends and other students their cars sat with dead batteries for a long time. I was able to drive to downtown classes and go shopping. It seriously cranked at about 1 revolution per second, started, died, repeat multiple times and barely idled but then warmed up enough. The manual transmission and clutch well, those were quite interesting also.