Chek this out???

mrjlube · Oct 4, 2005

I just read an article that said you will get better gas milage with 5w20 but also a shorter engine life than a 5w30 or 10w30. Is this true for me to believe? They also said "look who recommends 5w20, Ford and Honda,both with 3 year or 36,000 mile warrenties" They say not to use 5w20 unless you are leasing the car? Is this true?

Please help??

rpn453 · Oct 4, 2005

If you want us to really rip apart an article, we're going to need a source.

My Mazda, has a 5 year, 60k mile powertrain warranty on 5W-20. I believe all the Ford and Honda vehicles here have at least that warranty too.

I haven't seen anything to indicate that 5W-20 will decrease the engine life of a vehicle that recommends that grade.

mrjlube · Oct 4, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by rpn453:
If you want us to really rip apart an article, we're going to need a source.

My Mazda has a 5 year, 60k mile powertrain warranty on 5W-20.

I haven't seen anything to indicate that 5W-20 will decrease the engine life of a vehicle that recommends that grade.

This article I read came from a product called syn4life? Something like that!

BlazerLT · Oct 4, 2005

He is probably referencing the use of 5w20 in an engine requiring 5w30.

mdocod · Oct 4, 2005

i think it has been determined, that 5w20 oil is potencially better for some engines... the faster flow results in better cooling effect, and it keeps engines cleaner because of that faster flow. Heavier oils are used in engines that need higher pressure or extreme film strength- but then again, a 5w20 synthetic has more film strength than a 20w50 conventional anyways, so you can get the best of both worlds if you don't need higher pressure.

I read an article- can't remember the link.. a guy wrote a guide to engine oils... most of the article explained why thin is better, and that we shouldn't be worried about oil thinning when it gets hot, but rather, thickening when it cools. That flow is what provides lubrication, not thickness.

consider the following, if the 20 weight oil flows better, and helps move heat around better, than the average oil temp could be a little lower, slightly lower oil temps result in slightly thicker oil anyways. so the 5w20 doesn't run as thin as one might think.

I wouldn't hesitate to run 5w20 or 0w20 in my car, even though it calls for 5w30... heck, the manufacure even recomended 5w20 synthetic for my engine in a TSB to help resolve flow issues to the valvetrane. The result for many experimenters on this engine with 5w20, has been good. (3.2L V6 isuzu, 24valve, SOHC)

Paranoil · Oct 4, 2005

Is this the article?

Synlube 5W-20

mdocod · Oct 5, 2005

the synlube artical makes some good points about the HTHS- and it's possible corrilation to engine longevity... some folks on these boards may agree... I get the feeling that these engines that are specifying 20 weight oil, have shown good results with it- : they are not pushing the limits of the oil film strength anyways, so the 20 weight holds up.

The artical doesn't mention that wide range oils, sometimes suffer from greater levels of breakdown over their life... It takes a lot of VI improvers to make a 5w50- so it is more prone to shear out of grade.

mrjlube · Oct 5, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by mdocod:
the synlube artical makes some good points about the HTHS- and it's possible corrilation to engine longevity... some folks on these boards may agree... I get the feeling that these engines that are specifying 20 weight oil, have shown good results with it- : they are not pushing the limits of the oil film strength anyways, so the 20 weight holds up.

The artical doesn't mention that wide range oils, sometimes suffer from greater levels of breakdown over their life... It takes a lot of VI improvers to make a 5w50- so it is more prone to shear out of grade.

This is the article that I was refering to! My car is a 2002 ford focus 2.0spi with 53,000 mi Would the 5-30 be a better choice? or the 5-20???
Thanks for all the replies!!

Bryanccfshr · Oct 5, 2005

I suggest you go to the used oil analysis section and search the various 5w20 used oil analysis that have been done. If it is a recomended visocity for your car run it with confidence. They show extremly low wear numbers.

Also, mysteriously...no one has ever submitted a used oil analysis or VOA from synlube. Check this thread out.

Ramblin Fever · Oct 5, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by mdocod:
I wouldn't hesitate to run 5w20 or 0w20 in my car, even though it calls for 5w30... heck, the manufacure even recomended 5w20 synthetic for my engine in a TSB to help resolve flow issues to the valvetrane. The result for many experimenters on this engine with 5w20, has been good. (3.2L V6 isuzu, 24valve, SOHC)

I thought that TSB for Isuzu called for 0w- 30 synthetic?

I may not be remembering correctly, however.

Pablo · Oct 5, 2005

Uh that sounds good on paper, but as Bryanccfshr points out the used oil analysis show ultralow, if fact some of the VERY BEST wear metals. If 5W-20 is wearing engines out - where is the wear metal going?

mdocod · Oct 5, 2005

well... i think that the original TSB called for 0w30 mobil.... but i was told by an isuzu "technician" at the local dealer that they have gotten similar and sometimes better results with 20 weights also.... I'm not sure if the TSB was every revised to reflect that- but some of the dealers are using 5w20 in place of the 0w30 option to meet the same result.

Johnson994 · Oct 5, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by Paranoil:
Is this the article?

Synlube 5W-20

I think they are patting them selves on the back too hard. I like the part where it states that there is increased oil consumption with 5W-20. My 3.0 DOHC doesn't use any oil running 5W-20. Ford will void your warranty if 5W-20 is not used.

Ramblin Fever · Oct 5, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by mdocod:
well... i think that the original TSB called for 0w30 mobil.... but i was told by an isuzu "technician" at the local dealer that they have gotten similar and sometimes better results with 20 weights also.... I'm not sure if the TSB was every revised to reflect that- but some of the dealers are using 5w20 in place of the 0w30 option to meet the same result.

Gotcha. I haven't looked up the TSB in forever.

Makes sense; specially since the 0w30 Mobil 1 is VERY difficult to find.

TallPaul · Oct 5, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by Pablo:
Uh that sounds good on paper, but as Bryanccfshr points out the used oil analysis show ultralow, if fact some of the VERY BEST wear metals. If 5W-20 is wearing engines out - where is the wear metal going?

Hiding in the nooks and cranies waiting for a batch of Redline to wash it out?

Ken2 · Oct 5, 2005

Ford and Honda's spec for 5W-20 oil requires much more robust oil than is required for 5w30. It is thinner but tougher oil.

I trust Honda more than I trust Ford, and Honda says that their engines will run as long as ever on 5W-20. In a Ford, I would switch to 5w30 after the warranty period, ditto for a Dodge. The future will be more gasoline engines going to 5W-20 and diesels going to 10w30, all for fuel savings. The savings are small, but real.

Ken

LarryL · Oct 5, 2005

You have to be careful of all this new technology. Why, it was just a few years ago that multi-grade oil came on the marke and only a few years before that that detergent oil showed up. If you are not running non-detergent 40 weight oil then you are messing with new technology....and new technology is better than ever!!! If you car calls for 5w-20 are you going to follow the manufacturer or flip a coin?

zlippery · Oct 13, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by mdocod:
i think it has been determined, that 5w20 oil is potencially better for some engines... the faster flow results in better cooling effect, and it keeps engines cleaner because of that faster flow. Heavier oils are used in engines that need higher pressure or extreme film strength- but then again, a 5w20 synthetic has more film strength than a 20w50 conventional anyways, so you can get the best of both worlds if you don't need higher pressure.

I read an article- can't remember the link.. a guy wrote a guide to engine oils... most of the article explained why thin is better, and that we shouldn't be worried about oil thinning when it gets hot, but rather, thickening when it cools. That flow is what provides lubrication, not thickness.

consider the following, if the 20 weight oil flows better, and helps move heat around better, than the average oil temp could be a little lower, slightly lower oil temps result in slightly thicker oil anyways. so the 5w20 doesn't run as thin as one might think.

I wouldn't hesitate to run 5w20 or 0w20 in my car, even though it calls for 5w30... heck, the manufacure even recomended 5w20 synthetic for my engine in a TSB to help resolve flow issues to the valvetrane. The result for many experimenters on this engine with 5w20, has been good. (3.2L V6 isuzu, 24valve, SOHC)

I agree with the above but ultimately what will contribute more to engine life ... using a 5w20 synthetic with the better flow when starting a cold engine and reaching the normal operating temp faster or should we be more concerned with film strength and metal to metal contact. I guess if one was never to turn off their car then the 10w40 or the 15w50 makes sense. On the other end of the scale if like most of us you start and turn off your engine probably hundreds if not thousands of times per year then technically a 0 weight oil ie 0w0 or a 0w10 would be a better choice. So we have arrived at an impass? Maybe the answer for most of us lies somewhere between a 5w20 and a 10w40 synthetic form of oil? I believe this would probably hold true for about 85% of us 90% of the time. Either the 5w30 or the 5w40 would then be the mean or average oil to use? Maybe the oilpan heating pad would not be such a bad idea after all - even for people living in warmer southern climes. After all the sooner an oil comes up to operating temp the better. Maybe the manufacturers should take note and start making these things at least an option if not standard. This is exactly what keeps me up nights, 5w20 5w30 5w40 ?? Better initial cold starting / flow or metal to metal long term contact / film strength? Decisions, decisions what is one to do?

Achilles · Oct 13, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by mdocod:
the synlube artical makes some good points about the HTHS- and it's possible corrilation to engine longevity... some folks on these boards may agree... I get the feeling that these engines that are specifying 20 weight oil, have shown good results with it- : they are not pushing the limits of the oil film strength anyways, so the 20 weight holds up.

The artical doesn't mention that wide range oils, sometimes suffer from greater levels of breakdown over their life... It takes a lot of VI improvers to make a 5w50- so it is more prone to shear out of grade.

Do you perhaps work for a High film strength oil company??

Craig · Oct 13, 2005

If one were looking for a perfect oil then I would think either
Amsoil or GC 0w30 would fit the bill. Great flow at startup,
30 wt protection when hot.

You may see lesser fuel milage but we are talking lubrication.
Craig

Chek this out???

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