How many times have you switched sides on the thick vs. thin debate?

[GSCJR]

I used to always go by the OE recommendations, until I read the articles on engine oil by @AEHaas, which made me a believer of thinner oils and to become a member of this amazing site. Several years after joining here, I began watching an automotive show on my local cable channel with call-in viewers. The most asked about topic from callers was and is on engine oil. The show's panel with industry personnel would, and still advises against thin oil and long intervals. Their advice is consistent, 5-6k kms/6 months intervals with a synthetic European 5w-40, for virtually all makes and models after the warranty has expired for long engine life.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

We need a good ole 5W20 VS 5W30 debate. It's been a while.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I have typically not strayed too much thicker than the OEM spec, because I want to maintain my delusion that somehow the OEM has my interests at heart / sarc.

 

[nthach]

I stick with a happy medium - but will go thicker depending on how the car will be operated.

 

[userfriendly]

If an engine will last 200k with 0W20 will 10W40 make it last 400k?

Yep

 

[Oro_O]

It seems like there is a higher percentage of Canadians that are thickies than Americans.

Post reported.

If you want to start a "poutine" debate, that goes in a different political forum.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/poutine-recipe-1973715

Oh and by the way, 3.5 HTHS 10w-30 FTW. /thread

 

[jetman]

Once, gradually going from thick to thin over the last 50 yrs.

From 1973 to 2009 I was a thickie, conventional 20-50 and 3k mile oci.

In 2009 I started using synthetic 5-30/ 10-30, 10-40, 5-40 and xOCI.

I too read @AEHaas so now I'm trying 0-20 and 5-20 and xOCI. The 2 vehicles both are high mileage with 183k and 223k miles.

The jury is still out, although I am getting better gas mileage.

 

[chainblu]

If you think 5w30 is 'thick', you are just fooling yourself

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Switching back and forth of course it do it isn't what thick or thin its what's on sale. Got some Pennzoil HM 5W-20 for $4 a jug and ran it in my old 2004 Corolla. Worked great!

 

[Foxtrot08]

None.

Lighter oils are here to stay. Your 0wXX’s are better in my opinion.

But the market has shown that thicker oils are here to stay. Thus the slow adoption of 10w30 over 15w40 in HDEO applications. 10w30 was projected to have majority market share in 2020+.

It’s barely at 15%.

 

[UncleDave]

None

 

[RaymondP]

Cold as in Michigan winters = 0W something for me in all German vehicles.

Less clear on the second number, but usually 30 or 40. Recommended 20 seemed too thin. Was getting significant noise at start up for the first few minutes. Sounded like a tin can rattling around in the engine bay. Less evident with 30 or 40 grade.

Used Mobil 1 0W-40 in my wife's 2006 Mercedes E350. Still running great when I sold it earlier this year with well over 100K miles on the clock. Hoping to see similar results on the late model year Merc SUV as we will be undertaking more touring. Manual specifies Mobil 1 ESP 5W-20. Been using Mobil 1 0W-30 ESP, also in spec. among options. ESP is required for the cat. filter I believe.

 

[1uz_4me]

Couldn't care less

 

[Hermann]

Yep

Highly unlikely IMO

 

[Hermann]

We will never surrender.

Who?

 

[DriveHard]

Never switched, always been a thick fan.

 

[DirectRejection]

Who?

Unlike Sir Winston Churchill, I am being intentionally ambiguous.

 

[FCD]

Never!!!! I will never be convinced by the thinnie heretics, i'm a true believer.

Only A3/B4 rated 40 and 50 weight oils for me

Thick is good and thicker is gooderer.

 

[wemay]

Post reported.

If you want to start a "poutine" debate, that goes in a different political forum.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/poutine-recipe-1973715

View attachment 130953

Oh and by the way, 3.5 HTHS 10w-30 FTW. /thread

One of my wife's favorite comfort foods. LOL

 

[ATex7239]

I use what’s recommended and move on.

But women - like ‘em thick.