My truck has averaged 13.3 mpg with castrol. Just made the switch to amsoil 0w20 full synthetic at 43000 miles. I noticed my fuel mileage going up and its settled in 0n 15.0 mpg, don't know if its the warmer weather or the synthetic? I live in south ms and the summers are hot down here, wondering how can 5w20 or 0w20 be so great for these extreme temps, makes no sense to me. Another question is my truck calls for 5w20, anything else might cause engine damage, i call [censored] on that, anyone care to explain how a heavier oil could damage my engine? BTW, my truck is a Ford F-250 Fx-4 with the 5.4 Triton v-8.
Amsoil 0w20
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Interesting, as I'm thinking about going from synpower 0w-20 to amsoil 0w-20 in my van.
As far as xw-20 being ok for hot weather, it's not really the weather that dictates oil weight...the cooling system (radtior, etc) handles all of that business. So in essence, the cooling system keeps the engine around the specified temperature and the oil is spec'd for that temp range and the internals of the engine parts/metallurgy. Make sense?
I don't think 5w-30 would damage the engine, per se, but I don't know what you'd get by going to it. I guess you could use a very lightweight 30 and see what happens.
As far as xw-20 being ok for hot weather, it's not really the weather that dictates oil weight...the cooling system (radtior, etc) handles all of that business. So in essence, the cooling system keeps the engine around the specified temperature and the oil is spec'd for that temp range and the internals of the engine parts/metallurgy. Make sense?
I don't think 5w-30 would damage the engine, per se, but I don't know what you'd get by going to it. I guess you could use a very lightweight 30 and see what happens.
First welcome to BITOG.
As the saying goes you can't judge a book by it's cover and that applies to the SAE grade on a bottle of oil.
Asmoil ASM 0W-20 with it's HTHS vis of 2.8cP makes it one of the heaviest 20wt oils you can buy, about 8% heavier at operating temps than the 5W-20 that is spec'd for your truck.
The reason Ford can spec' a light 20wt oil for your truck is that oil temp's simply don't get excessively high even during a hot Alabama summer.
The 13% improvement in fuel economy you've notice is not due to the change in oil. Typically you won't see more than a 2% change in fuel economy for a single oil grade change and that is very difficult for an individual to measure without averaging over many tanks of fuel usage.
As the saying goes you can't judge a book by it's cover and that applies to the SAE grade on a bottle of oil.
Asmoil ASM 0W-20 with it's HTHS vis of 2.8cP makes it one of the heaviest 20wt oils you can buy, about 8% heavier at operating temps than the 5W-20 that is spec'd for your truck.
The reason Ford can spec' a light 20wt oil for your truck is that oil temp's simply don't get excessively high even during a hot Alabama summer.
The 13% improvement in fuel economy you've notice is not due to the change in oil. Typically you won't see more than a 2% change in fuel economy for a single oil grade change and that is very difficult for an individual to measure without averaging over many tanks of fuel usage.
If the car calls for 5W20, Amsoil 0w20 will be fine. I think the increase mpg is coming from something other than the oil. As a side note Amsoil 0w20 is very close to being a thin 30 grade oil.
Thanks for answering my question about heavier weight oil, i often wondered that. Anyway, i am sticking to the 0w20 amsoil, i think its dang good oil. I am a little skeptical about going 25000 miles on the same oil and filter even under normal driving conditions, but we will see. I will be ding an oil analysis at 10000 and so on after, if oil permits. I'm real happy about the increase in the fuel economy though.
Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
First welcome to BITOG.
As the saying goes you can't judge a book by it's cover and that applies to the SAE grade on a bottle of oil.
Asmoil ASM 0W-20 with it's HTHS vis of 2.8cP makes it one of the heaviest 20wt oils you can buy, about 8% heavier at operating temps than the 5W-20 that is spec'd for your truck.
The reason Ford can spec' a light 20wt oil for your truck is that oil temp's simply don't get excessively high even during a hot Alabama summer.
The 13% improvement in fuel economy you've notice is not due to the change in oil. Typically you won't see more than a 2% change in fuel economy for a single oil grade change and that is very difficult for an individual to measure without averaging over many tanks of fuel usage.
Thanks for the info, i'm thinking the warmer weather has more to do with the increase in my fuel economy...?
First welcome to BITOG.
As the saying goes you can't judge a book by it's cover and that applies to the SAE grade on a bottle of oil.
Asmoil ASM 0W-20 with it's HTHS vis of 2.8cP makes it one of the heaviest 20wt oils you can buy, about 8% heavier at operating temps than the 5W-20 that is spec'd for your truck.
The reason Ford can spec' a light 20wt oil for your truck is that oil temp's simply don't get excessively high even during a hot Alabama summer.
The 13% improvement in fuel economy you've notice is not due to the change in oil. Typically you won't see more than a 2% change in fuel economy for a single oil grade change and that is very difficult for an individual to measure without averaging over many tanks of fuel usage.
Thanks for the info, i'm thinking the warmer weather has more to do with the increase in my fuel economy...?
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Oh, btw the guys this is an awesome website!
I'd say the change in the weather is helping your fuel economy, and not the oil.
Last summer my truck stayed around 13.3 to 13.8, i think the increased fuel mileage is from the change of oil not the weather.
Is this truck in your sign line, the 2010 F-250? If so then I'd say the change in the mpg is from the engine breaking in and not the oil. My Jeep mpg shot up big time once the engine was fully broken in. Some vehicles can take in excess of 10,000 miles before accurate mpg can be determined, others even longer. MPG usually increases on new vehicles once they break in. Something to consider.
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Yeah the truck in my sig is what i'm speaking of and it has 43,000 plus miles now, this increase in milegae started last week when I went to synthetic, strange aint it...
Gas mileage is not a complete measure of how well an oil is working. You could be getting better mileage but worse engine wear. That said I'm sure the Amsoil is working very well.
JeremyinMT - has is right. Internal engine conditions are maintained pretty constant despite outside conditions.
All of the following are as likely to have made the MPG change
- Less night driving
- longer average trips
- Less humid average air
- Better traffic conditions
- Change in driving style
- Gas Pump variances
- Different gas temps at pumping
One week of mileage testing will not be able to tell anything.
RFC1- your plan to extend intervals with UOA is a good one.
JeremyinMT - has is right. Internal engine conditions are maintained pretty constant despite outside conditions.
All of the following are as likely to have made the MPG change
- Less night driving
- longer average trips
- Less humid average air
- Better traffic conditions
- Change in driving style
- Gas Pump variances
- Different gas temps at pumping
One week of mileage testing will not be able to tell anything.
RFC1- your plan to extend intervals with UOA is a good one.
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I read 4,300 miles, my bad. Still I don't think its the oil, but I'd be happy with the gain no matter where it came from.
I changed all my OPE's to Amsoil 0W-30 and it resulted in longer run times on a tank of fuel, for instance, pressure washer runs an extra 15 minutes and the snow blower an extra 30 minutes. Had Super Tech 5W-30 in them previously. This being said, my bet is the oil helped the fuel mileage of this Ford
I've used Amsoil/Redline/Mobil 1/MC/Havoline/GC in the Honda and mpg did not change in the Honda 2.4L. Too many variables to conclude it was the oil. No way you gained 13%. At MOST, 1-2%.
Lower the HT/HS, the better the fuel economy. Friction modifiers play a role too.
Lower the HT/HS, the better the fuel economy. Friction modifiers play a role too.
Originally Posted By: troyb43
I changed all my OPE's to Amsoil 0W-30 and it resulted in longer run times on a tank of fuel, for instance, pressure washer runs an extra 15 minutes and the snow blower an extra 30 minutes. Had Super Tech 5W-30 in them previously. This being said, my bet is the oil helped the fuel mileage of this Ford
I've used Castrol Edge 5W30, SSO 0w30, PP 5W30, PYB 5W30, Havoline Dino 5W30, Mobil 1 0W30, Mobil 1 5W30, in my snow blower and no way did I see an extra 30 minutes run time with the machine because of the oil used. Depth of snow, the consistency of the snow, and speed of the engine determine how long the machine will run, not the oil, sorry. I've also used the above oils including M1 10W30 in my 11 hp Honda pressure washer, engine run time is determined by engine speed and how long the gun is triggered, not the oil in the machine. If there is any gain it would be so slight you'd never be able to tell.
I changed all my OPE's to Amsoil 0W-30 and it resulted in longer run times on a tank of fuel, for instance, pressure washer runs an extra 15 minutes and the snow blower an extra 30 minutes. Had Super Tech 5W-30 in them previously. This being said, my bet is the oil helped the fuel mileage of this Ford
I've used Castrol Edge 5W30, SSO 0w30, PP 5W30, PYB 5W30, Havoline Dino 5W30, Mobil 1 0W30, Mobil 1 5W30, in my snow blower and no way did I see an extra 30 minutes run time with the machine because of the oil used. Depth of snow, the consistency of the snow, and speed of the engine determine how long the machine will run, not the oil, sorry. I've also used the above oils including M1 10W30 in my 11 hp Honda pressure washer, engine run time is determined by engine speed and how long the gun is triggered, not the oil in the machine. If there is any gain it would be so slight you'd never be able to tell.
K. Ford specs a 5w20 for mod motors because of the CAFE laws. Period. I have a 4.6 2v mustang and 5w20 is a joke. Op if your using AMSOIL 0w20 I assume it's the signature series and that is a great line of oil and you can even bump up to 0w30 and help that motor last longer. Mod motors do not have tighter tolerances so don't even try that one. And the oil actually cools about 40% of the engine,you know,all those critical parts that are rubbing against each other. And as long as you are using the AMSOIL oil filter be confident in the 25k oci. It will be fine. You will have to add half a quart at 15k tho.
I've used Castrol Edge 5W30, SSO 0w30, PP 5W30, PYB 5W30, Havoline Dino 5W30, Mobil 1 0W30, Mobil 1 5W30, in my snow blower and no way did I see an extra 30 minutes run time with the machine because of the oil used. Depth of snow, the consistency of the snow, and speed of the engine determine how long the machine will run, not the oil, sorry. I've also used the above oils including M1 10W30 in my 11 hp Honda pressure washer, engine run time is determined by engine speed and how long the gun is triggered, not the oil in the machine. If there is any gain it would be so slight you'd never be able to tell.
Sorry it did not improve your run time, however it did mine, snow blower was in a heavy wet snow and pressure washer was used while washing down my home, and a wide open nozzle the complete time. I am posting my experiences, just as you are. If you do not like it that my use of gasoline is less, I am sorry about that.
I read the posts here to learn about other people's experiences, and I would expect them to be honest, as I am. Why be dishonest and then have no credibility in any posts I have in the future?
Sorry it did not improve your run time, however it did mine, snow blower was in a heavy wet snow and pressure washer was used while washing down my home, and a wide open nozzle the complete time. I am posting my experiences, just as you are. If you do not like it that my use of gasoline is less, I am sorry about that.
I read the posts here to learn about other people's experiences, and I would expect them to be honest, as I am. Why be dishonest and then have no credibility in any posts I have in the future?
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