Does 5W-30 REALLY protect better than 5W-20?

[HowAboutThis]

Finally! Someone asking this question! We've all wanted to know on this forum what the answer is!

Too long, didn't read. What is the answer?

 

[TCL]

Pour in any oil. Drive car till she blows!

 

[SteveG4]

Those are side issues. Wear comes from metal-to-metal contact so it is ultimately about keeping the parts separated due to the film thickness. This is represented by the HT/HS so yes an oil with a higher HT/HS "protects better" as it will provide a higher MOFT.

And better (or less) VII will contribute to shear stability but as we've seen here mechanical shear is rarely an issue. Fuel dilution is a far more prevalent problem.

Now here's a great and clarifying answer!

 

[nostradamus]

According to the people who make your oil yes heavier protects better

 

[BC Guy]

Depends. If your racing your Hyundai pumping nitrus or towing steep inclines in the hot summer....yes 5w30. If your going to drive it like you stole it....who cares you stole it....if you just cruise and drive like the other 97% of the population...5w20 is perfect.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Just to echo your point, the Ford 6.2 in a F250 spec’s 5w30. In a F150, it spec’s 5w20.

The shop foreman at the Ford dealership my son works at, suggested that he use 5W30 in his 04 (new style) F150 Lariat, 5.4 3V engine. So, he does. His engine is very quiet.

 

[Justus1]

Occam,s razor. No more assumption to a thing than what is necessary. The fill cap says 0w20, use 0w20. Fill cap says 5w30, use 5w30.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Viscosity Matters
http://www.lube-media.com/wp-content/uploads/Viscosity-matters-WEB-ONLY-Sept19c_FINAL.pdf

 

[jurko]

Occam,s razor. No more assumption to a thing than what is necessary. The fill cap says 0w20, use 0w20. Fill cap says 5w30, use 5w30.

My oil cap says nothing about grade. It just has Castrol on it that's it. When I look in manual it says use VW50200 5W-30 or 5W-40.

 

[Junk]

For what it's worth, the most current version of the bulletin involving engine inspection and replacement on the Hyundai Theta 2.4 GDI engines specifies filling the new engine with full syn 5w30, when the original requirement listed in the manual was API SM 5w20 or 5w30 at all temps. Also, the 2.0 turbo Sonata engines allowed 5w30 or 5w40 at all temps up through 2018. I run 5w30 in my 11 and 18 Sonata 2.4 engines, but partially because the manual states it's ok. I also have no problem with 0w20 in my 17 Sienna.

 

[2EHA]

I’m surprised there is not a thicker ATF crowd here

there is

 

[spasm3]

Occam,s razor. No more assumption to a thing than what is necessary. The fill cap says 0w20, use 0w20. Fill cap says 5w30, use 5w30.

My oil cap used to say 0w-20 , now it says 5w-30.

I heard it when i was out in the garage, getting a beer.

 

[Justus1]

My oil cap used to say 0w-20 , now it says 5w-30.

I heard it when i was out in the garage, getting a beer.

How many beers when you heard the oil caps talking?

 

[Justus1]

My oil cap says nothing about grade. It just has Castrol on it that's it. When I look in manual it says use VW50200 5W-30 or 5W-40.

So, what do you use?

 

[spasm3]

How many beers when you heard the oil caps talking?

I wondered the same thing, but had not opened the can. So I lifted the hood , and before my very eyes, the cap went from this

To this!!!

 

[kschachn]

It borders on silly having most manufacturer approvals specify grades since they specify a minimum HT/HS. It’s hardly even worth it to discuss different winter ratings but sometimes that might be appropriate. Mercedes-Benz has started to move away from specifying grades for their approvals which is a good idea.

Many licenses and specifications are loose enough to have grade choices but most approvals are not.

 

[wildcatgoal]

The manufacturer recommends 5W20 and may have designed engine operation around it. It did not recommend 5W30. /thread

 

[Justus1]

I wondered the same thing, but had not opened the can. So I lifted the hood , and before my very eyes, the cap went from this
View attachment 51336
To this!!!
View attachment 51337

Darn, we've both had too many... I'll drive.

 

[ZeeOSix]

The manufacturer recommends 5W20 and may have designed engine operation around it. It did not recommend 5W30. /thread

Check OM viscosity call-outs for the same engine used in other countries.

 

[jurko]

So, what do you use?

5W-30