For those who be hating on 0W-20

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For anyone that knows hwy 501 Myrtle Beach and Conway sc heat index got to be 110 actual temps 101-102. I have to say 0W-20 can hold it down. Not a super long commute but enough traffic + stop and go. 5W-30 is overrated

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First photo appears to be a combo gas gauge and water temperature. Temperature is under control. Second photo appears to be oil temperature which is under control because cooing system is working properly. Am I wrong about the first photo?
 
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This proves what exactly?
Everyone should know by now that a 20-grade oil provides adequate film thickness under most circumstances in most engines. But besides a very small decrease in fuel consumption (about 1-2% over a 30-grade) there is no benefit. It's not "better" for the engine.

A 30-grade (regardless of the winter rating) is not overrated. It helps to ensure adequate MOFT as well as provide for possible fuel dilution.

One thing that really does not mean anything in regards to the oil is that fuel economy chart. Many and multiple significant variables in that result, not the least of which is the normal variation in gasoline energy content which is actually more than the oil can cause.
 
For anyone that knows hwy 501 Myrtle Beach and Conway sc heat index got to be 110 actual temps 101-102. I have to say 0W-20 can hold it down. Not a super long commute but enough traffic + stop and go. 5W-30 is overrated

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What's the oil testing look like?
We know 20wt is good enough until it isn't.
We already know typial 20wt oil will cause slightly faster ring wear, not really a problem unless you're going for 300,000 to 400,000 or more miles on your engine.
 
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My 2001 Lincoln engine was designed to use 5W-30. Around 2001-2002 Ford went along with EPA/DOT guidance/standards to lower
the recommend weights to 5w-20.....only for a tiny gain in fuel economy across their fleets. I continue to use 5w-30 as I went
more miles out of my engine as the designers planned.....however Ford still "recommends" 5w-20 on 1997-2002 Lincolns.
 
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We know 20wt is good enough until it isn't.
This exactly.

Engineers build safety factors in.

When CAFE came along they took the safety factors out or the oil viscosity. "Value Engineering". Making the same stuff for cheaper. In this case, getting 1% better results on the CAFE Test at the expense of your oil safety factor. If you don't need the safety factor you should be fine.

Everyone can run whatever they want in there own car. As an engineer I like more safety factor.
 
That’s oil temp not coolant
Peak Operating temperature dictates viscosity.
20wt is fine at 185f.
A typical 20wt oil that's 9cst at 212f will be about 10cSt at 185f.
A typical engine oil sump hits around 200 to 230f, 30wt oil is usually around 10cSt at 212f. Your cars oil just runs a bit cooler than most cars.
You're running thicker oil without even realizing it lol.
 
This exactly.

Engineers build safety factors in.

When CAFE came along they took the safety factors out or the oil viscosity. "Value Engineering". Making the same stuff for cheaper. In this case, getting 1% better results on the CAFE Test at the expense of your oil safety factor. If you don't need the safety factor you should be fine.

Everyone can run whatever they want in there own car. As an engineer I like more safety factor.
If that engine is only ever hitting 185f it's probably fine.
If I knew my engine was only ever going to hit 185f I'd run 20wt too.
I've confirmed our 3 daily drivers are hitting over 200f by the time I can pull them into the drive way and dump the oil. So it's probably hotter in stop and go or on the highway.
No 20wt for them.
 
For anyone that knows hwy 501 Myrtle Beach and Conway sc heat index got to be 110 actual temps 101-102. I have to say 0W-20 can hold it down. Not a super long commute but enough traffic + stop and go. 5W-30 is overrated

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It just shows, that the oil is not hot, because the coolant, radiator, thermostat and fans are working properly. It's not a function of the oil itself.
 
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