5w30 ok for my car?

[AP9]

Originally Posted By: kschachn
What about it? How does that make a 0W-20 inferior? The question is why people want to use an oil the manufacturer doesn't specify. Why would you want to use a different oil just because of CAFE? CAFE may be part of the reason why 0W-20 is specified, but your comment does not follow.

I guess the short question is "so what"?

Originally Posted By: AP9
Originally Posted By: Zhukov
I just don't understand why people want to use an oil that the manufacturer doesn't specify. Do they know something the manufacturer doesn't?

One word: CAFE.


Many vehicles that are sold both in the U.S. and in other countries that are identical mechanically will specify a slightly thicker grade outside of the U.S. Again, whatever it takes to get that fleet average up another 0.1 mpg . . .

The ideal grade of oil can vary with driving conditions, engine conditions, etc. Granted, that doesn't mean using a 10W-40 instead of a 0W-20 would be a good idea, but an engine running excessively hot and with excessive wear may benefit from a thicker grade, for example. If the vehicle ends up lasting 200,000 miles instead of 300,000 miles, the automakers get to sell you another vehicle that much sooner.

Please correct me if I'm way off base.

 

[wally6934]

Originally Posted By: AP9
Many vehicles that are sold both in the U.S. and in other countries that are identical mechanically will specify a slightly thicker grade outside of the U.S. Again, whatever it takes to get that fleet average up another 0.1 mpg . . .

The ideal grade of oil can vary with driving conditions, engine conditions, etc. Granted, that doesn't mean using a 10W-40 instead of a 0W-20 would be a good idea, but an engine running excessively hot and with excessive wear may benefit from a thicker grade, for example. If the vehicle ends up lasting 200,000 miles instead of 300,000 miles, the automakers get to sell you another vehicle that much sooner.

Please correct me if I'm way off base.


AP9, hanging is to good for you. You know the rules of this board. You must worship the 0W5W-20 god and never mention Cafe.

 

[fdcg27]

Originally Posted By: kenpoed
I have an accord that specifies 5w20. I like the idea of a dexos approved (50%syn) blend in my car but it only comes in 5w30. Do you think there is any harm going 5w30 as opposed to the specified 5w20?


No harm, but maybe no advantage either.
The dead thick vs thin horse has been beaten many times on this board, with inconclusive results.
A valid reason to use a 5w30 might be that you have acquired a large stash of it dirt cheap, or simply because you think the engine is smoother and quieter with it.
You could use a 5w30 with no harm but also no gain in longer vehicle life.
As has been written many times by many members, the engine will probably be the last part of your car to succumb to age and wear.

 

[Clevy]

Castrol has a 5w-20 that says dexos on it.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

The unarguable technical answer (not an emotional one) would be an oil with a higher HTHS and a higher KV100 will have a slighly higher margin of safe operation if you ever venture into that "red" zone (High rpm, high mechanical and heat load for long periods).
Im trying to learn to love light oils. I havent thrown a rod yet, but ther is always tomorrow

 

[benjy]

from what i have read semi-synthetic oils are 30% at the most with no set rules. at $5 a quart for most group III conventional "synthetic" oil its worth a little xtra over semi-syn IMO. it BUGS me to no end people calling conventional oil "synthetic" which is legally correct and since manufacturers DO NOT tell you on the container whats REALLY in it! few web sites make it easy to acess info, valvoline my choice displays specs for their semi + full group III oils and dexos 1 spec although not on list because they do not want to pay GM royalties $$ in every quart they sell. amsoil is similar having superior group IV + V oils but now carry lower priced group III oils. they declined to answer what they use where but the specs for pour points tell the truth.