I have used 0w-20 for every OCI on the Carnival except the current one, where I used ESP 0w-30. My reasoning was: 1) the oil sump temps settle at 230F+ on the highway and 2) we drove to Florida this summer. We drive a LOT in the summer, especially this year. Lots of hot weather, long trips. All 'cold' starts are at 60f+ or near enough. Just wanted an extra buffer of protection whilst bombing down the highway/up a mountain in 90+ weather.
But in the winter, this vehicle gets driven far less. Lots of half mile 25mph trips to/from school, with errands around town. We use the van for volunteer work sometimes, where the oil will reach full temp for awhile. But the vehicle will spend most of its time putting around on trips 30 mins or less. In these conditions, fuel dilution will go up for sure, but since the oil won't get as hot and not nearly as often, I'm going back to 0w-20 in the winter. Now what to use... probably ESP 0w-20.
But in the winter, this vehicle gets driven far less. Lots of half mile 25mph trips to/from school, with errands around town. We use the van for volunteer work sometimes, where the oil will reach full temp for awhile. But the vehicle will spend most of its time putting around on trips 30 mins or less. In these conditions, fuel dilution will go up for sure, but since the oil won't get as hot and not nearly as often, I'm going back to 0w-20 in the winter. Now what to use... probably ESP 0w-20.
