Engine behavior with different oil grades

[HTSS_TR]

Engine performance with thicker or thinner oil versus recommended grade can be drastic.

My 2000 MB E430 performs better with thinner oil than MB 229.5 list. It was very quiet and very fast throttle response plus better fuel economy(about 4-6%) with Pennzoil Platinum 5w20. It was very noisy with Mobil 1 0W40, the sound was almost like a diesel engine.

The 2006 Volvo V70 is opposite, very quiet with Havoline 10W40 vs recommended 5W30. Acceleration is about the same with less than 2-5% decrease in fuel economy. Luckily I have 6 jugs Havoline 10W40 I bought couple months ago from Amazon for $7.xx/jug, enough for 5 oil changes for the Volvo.

With these opposite performance (thicker vs thinner) in difference engines, I may try xW20 instead of 10W30 in my S2000 sometime in the near future.

 

[BrocLuno]

I keep saying let your ears be the judge. If it sounds bad, it is ...

 

[Pontual]

Maybe they recommend the worst oil possible? Dunno...

 

[Cadenza]

I trust Mobil 1 in my cars, but Pennzoil Platinum is certainly quieter. Is there a problem?

 

[widman]

I think I wrote up somewhere here what I did with different cars at the Hyundai dealership, becoming completely silent with 5w30.
(after trying 5W-20, 10W-40, and 15w40)

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: BrocLuno
I keep saying let your ears be the judge. If it sounds bad, it is ...


I agree.

 

[rrounds]

With the heat our S2000 engines put into the oil I don't think I'd risk my engine with a x/20 oil. At least not without a oil pressure and temp gauge. Let us know how it goes. I run Mobil 1 0w40 or Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w40 in my '06 S

ROD

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: widman
I think I wrote up somewhere here what I did with different cars at the Hyundai dealership, becoming completely silent with 5w30.
(after trying 5W-20, 10W-40, and 15w40)

You did. I recall the post.

 

[Capa]

I've experimented with different grades on my 1999 Lexus GS400. With Mobil 0W-40 it was quiet but it felt lethargic and the Mpg went down some. With Mobil 5w30 EP it was livelier and got slightly better mpg. With Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w20 the mpg was essentially the same as the 5w30 but the engine felt so alive. I've added performance mufflers and cold air intacts to my vehicles and have never felt a better performance gain than going from a 0W-40 to a 0W20.

 

[BrocLuno]

I would expect that from a Lexus, not a Chevy ...

Volvo (I've had four) has always liked slightly heavier oils ...