Difference in 5w/20 and 5w/30

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: chevrofreak
Originally Posted By: PT1
Originally Posted By: chevrofreak
Skip the Mobil 1 and get some Pennzoil Platinum 5W-20. There are too many cases of people reporting that Mobil 1 increased valvetrain noise, and that Pennzoil Platinum quieted it.


+1 Pennzoil Platinum has quieted several engines for me


Pennzoil Platinum 5w-20 made a pretty significant change in the way my 130k+ Crown Vic sounds. The valvetrain is so quiet now that I mostly hear the injectors.


My 96 Mercury GM has 210,000 miles all on M1 and the valve train is also very quiet. Of course the 4.6 is a world class engine.

 

[chaser06]

Originally Posted By: Mark888
Here is an interesting discussion concerning the 5W-20 and 5w30 debate:

"Thinner motor oils such as 5W-20 or even 0W-20 are becoming more popular these days and are even specified by some OEM's (FORD & HONDA) on new 2001 cars.

Although these oils are promoted as "energy conserving" they generally trade a gain of less than 0.1 MPG in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) for shorter useful engine life.

FORD which has previously designed cars to have 10 year or 150,000 miles life has reduced the mileage life expectation to "beyond 100,000 miles" on vehicles that are operated on SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil.

HONDA only claims "useful life" as 7-years or 70,000 miles in EPA certifications for their CIVIC which uses SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil, while the previous model that utilized SAE 5w30 Motor Oil was certified for 10 year or 100,000 mile durability.

Since both HONDA and FORD Warranty their NEW cars for ONLY 3-years or 36,000-miles the reduction in engine life expectancy is not a factor.

By contrast Mercedes-Benz recommends use of ONLY Synthetic Motor Oil that is at least SAE 5W-40! This is a recent increase in recommended viscosity from SAE 5w30. Apparently customer research indicated that engine longevity is more important to typical MB customer than fuel economy."

http://www.synlube.com/viscosit.htm#SAE J300 Viscosity Classification (Current)


As the link indicates, the above comments are simply marketing hype designed to scare people into using Syn Lube 5w-50. Do you have a better "authoritative source"?

 

[Mark888]

Originally Posted By: chaser06
As the link indicates, the above comments are simply marketing hype designed to scare people into using Syn Lube 5w-50. Do you have a better "authoritative source"?

All sources are biased and have skin in the game. I don't claim that this source is any more accurate than others, but I thought it was interesting. They have a lot of other useful information on their website.

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
HONDA only claims "useful life" as 7-years or 70,000 miles in EPA certifications for their CIVIC which uses SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil, while the previous model that utilized SAE 5w30 Motor Oil was certified for 10 year or 100,000 mile durability.



Hmmm..how do they get around manufacturing an automobile that has a life expectancy shorter than the time/mileage that they're responsible for the emissions integrity? I believe that it's 8/80k

(or is it bee-essence?)

 

[Boomer01]

Honda's warranty is 5 years/60,000 miles. Rest of it is a bunch of bunk too.

 

[Mark888]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Hmmm..how do they get around manufacturing an automobile that has a life expectancy shorter than the time/mileage that they're responsible for the emissions integrity? I believe that it's 8/80k

(or is it bee-essence?)

If the engine stops working, there are no emissions, so there is no emissions problem.

 

[BuickGN]

Originally Posted By: Mark888
Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Hmmm..how do they get around manufacturing an automobile that has a life expectancy shorter than the time/mileage that they're responsible for the emissions integrity? I believe that it's 8/80k

(or is it bee-essence?)

If the engine stops working, there are no emissions, so there is no emissions problem.

LOL. I've never thought of it like that.

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: Boomer01
Honda's warranty is 5 years/60,000 miles. Rest of it is a bunch of bunk too.



Not on their emissions systems/components.

 

[demarpaint]

Quote:
HONDA only claims "useful life" as 7-years or 70,000 miles in EPA certifications for their CIVIC which uses SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil, while the previous model that utilized SAE 5w30 Motor Oil was certified for 10 year or 100,000 mile durability.

I seriously doubt Honda (loved so dearly on this board), would build an engine designed to last 7-years or 70,000 miles "useful life". They'd end up the same rep Yugo had in this country, total [censored]!

 

[scoobie]

Dodge Ram and Dakota have a LIFETIME warranty, they expect 95% of their engines to go 150,000 miles +++ - that is the 4.7l v8 and 3.7l v6
and they specify 5w20 - in a truck that tows 7000 - 10,000 pounds. So much for that theory. The longevity has to do with engine design and regular OCI 6000 mile.

 

[Mark888]

Originally Posted By: scoobie
Dodge Ram and Dakota have a LIFETIME warranty, they expect 95% of their engines to go 150,000 miles +++ - that is the 4.7l v8 and 3.7l v6
and they specify 5w20 - in a truck that tows 7000 - 10,000 pounds. So much for that theory. The longevity has to do with engine design and regular OCI 6000 mile.

But the longevity of the company is only 12,000 miles/1 year, and the government will cover the warranty anyway, so they are off the hook and are free to recommend a 5W-20 for that reason.

 

[BuickGN]

Originally Posted By: Mark888
Originally Posted By: scoobie
Dodge Ram and Dakota have a LIFETIME warranty, they expect 95% of their engines to go 150,000 miles +++ - that is the 4.7l v8 and 3.7l v6
and they specify 5w20 - in a truck that tows 7000 - 10,000 pounds. So much for that theory. The longevity has to do with engine design and regular OCI 6000 mile.

But the longevity of the company is only 12,000 miles/1 year, and the government will cover the warranty anyway, so they are off the hook and are free to recommend a 5W-20 for that reason.


LOL True.

And didn't they spec many of the lifetime models back to 30wt?

 

[Zaedock]

Originally Posted By: scoobie
Dodge Ram and Dakota have a LIFETIME warranty, they expect 95% of their engines to go 150,000 miles +++ - that is the 4.7l v8 and 3.7l v6
and they specify 5w20 - in a truck that tows 7000 - 10,000 pounds. So much for that theory. The longevity has to do with engine design and regular OCI 6000 mile.


The engines might go to 150,000, but 90% of the trucks will hit a pole when the ball joints let go or go to the dumper when the transmission dies at 50K.

Your tow capacities are a little over for the 3.7 and 4.7L engines. The 3.7L is rated around 3500lbs max. The 4.7L might be around 8K though.

Hey guys, does a CTD truck have the lifetime warranty?

 

[buickman50401]

Originally Posted By: Mark888
Here is an interesting discussion concerning the 5W-20 and 5w30 debate:

"Thinner motor oils such as 5W-20 or even 0W-20 are becoming more popular these days and are even specified by some OEM's (FORD & HONDA) on new 2001 cars.

By contrast Mercedes-Benz recommends use of ONLY Synthetic Motor Oil that is at least SAE 5W-40! This is a recent increase in recommended viscosity from SAE 5w30. Apparently customer research indicated that engine longevity is more important to typical MB customer than fuel economy."

http://www.synlube.com/viscosit.htm#SAE J300 Viscosity Classification (Current)


By contrast MB, VW and other European manufacturers also reccomend OCIs of 10,000mi or longer, which is what at least double that of domestic manufacturers? Hmm, that might have a bit of something to do with the heavier weight oil being able to protect for a longer duration even if it shears down a grade. Also the European manufacturers have always been under pressure to reduce waste through lengthening service intervals.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: BuickGN


LOL True.

And didn't they spec many of the lifetime models back to 30wt?


Which models and what years were back spec'd to a 30 grade?

 

[wafrederick1]

If you want an engine seizure which you do not want,pour in slick 50.I heard about 2 engines being seized up due slick 50.General rule is go by what is recomended saying on the oil cap or in the owner's manual