Let's say a vehicle's oil cap indicated 5w20 and 5w20 dino was FF oil. Could it be said that if switching to PP or M1 full-syn oils that upping to a 5w30 might off-set the "thinness" of the full syn as compared to dino? I worry a bit that full-syn 5w20 might not offer good protection for hot says in traffic because it will be like water flowing through the engine.
If syn is "thinner" should I plan for that???
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No, the 5w20 will be fine. Unless you have an air cooled car and then you should use a 20w50....
Originally Posted By: FastSUV
Let's say a vehicle's oil cap indicated 5w20 and 5w20 dino was FF oil. Could it be said that if switching to PP or M1 full-syn oils that upping to a 5w30 might off-set the "thinness" of the full syn as compared to dino? I worry a bit that full-syn 5w20 might not offer good protection for hot says in traffic because it will be like water flowing through the engine.
Wah?
Please don't confuse cold flow capability of synthetic oils with high temp viscosity.
Let's say a vehicle's oil cap indicated 5w20 and 5w20 dino was FF oil. Could it be said that if switching to PP or M1 full-syn oils that upping to a 5w30 might off-set the "thinness" of the full syn as compared to dino? I worry a bit that full-syn 5w20 might not offer good protection for hot says in traffic because it will be like water flowing through the engine.
Wah?
Please don't confuse cold flow capability of synthetic oils with high temp viscosity.
Originally Posted By: Pablo
Originally Posted By: FastSUV
Let's say a vehicle's oil cap indicated 5w20 and 5w20 dino was FF oil. Could it be said that if switching to PP or M1 full-syn oils that upping to a 5w30 might off-set the "thinness" of the full syn as compared to dino? I worry a bit that full-syn 5w20 might not offer good protection for hot says in traffic because it will be like water flowing through the engine.
Wah?
Please don't confuse cold flow capability of synthetic oils with high temp viscosity.
Well file this under the "you know what they say..." files
Still a valid question for a non-expert like me.
Originally Posted By: FastSUV
Let's say a vehicle's oil cap indicated 5w20 and 5w20 dino was FF oil. Could it be said that if switching to PP or M1 full-syn oils that upping to a 5w30 might off-set the "thinness" of the full syn as compared to dino? I worry a bit that full-syn 5w20 might not offer good protection for hot says in traffic because it will be like water flowing through the engine.
Wah?
Please don't confuse cold flow capability of synthetic oils with high temp viscosity.
Well file this under the "you know what they say..." files
Still a valid question for a non-expert like me.
Every viscosity is a 'range', so even if a syn 5W-20 is thinnner at 40C or 100C; it is still within the range for a 5W-20. If the manufacturer is calling for a 5W-20, they are calling for anything within the 20-weight range. Nothing needs to be 'compensated' for.
Originally Posted By: addyguy
Every viscosity is a 'range', so even if a syn 5W-20 is thinnner at 40C or 100C; it is still within the range for a 5W-20. If the manufacturer is calling for a 5W-20, they are calling for anything within the 20-weight range. Nothing needs to be 'compensated' for.
But could it be said that a 5w30 still might lube better than a 5w20; espceially in hotter seasons & short trips?
Every viscosity is a 'range', so even if a syn 5W-20 is thinnner at 40C or 100C; it is still within the range for a 5W-20. If the manufacturer is calling for a 5W-20, they are calling for anything within the 20-weight range. Nothing needs to be 'compensated' for.
But could it be said that a 5w30 still might lube better than a 5w20; espceially in hotter seasons & short trips?
this reminds me of my owners manual. it specifies my car can take 5w30, 10w30, or 5w40. it also states that you should use the correct oil for your climate's temperature range and also that the smallest viscosity spread is best, i.e. 10w30 is better than 5w40. however both are usable under the right conditions. just something to consider, check your manual.
It is a valid question no doubt about that. People often confuse ambient temperature apparent viscosity with supposed high temperature viscosity (or lack of as the case may be).
As stated by others, the easy way to see this is learn the 100°C range for the viscosity given ( 20 or 30, for example), then find out (look up) the 100°C viscosity of the oil in question.
As stated by others, the easy way to see this is learn the 100°C range for the viscosity given ( 20 or 30, for example), then find out (look up) the 100°C viscosity of the oil in question.
Originally Posted By: FastSUV
But could it be said that a 5w30 still might lube better than a 5w20; espceially in hotter seasons & short trips?
It (5w30) should have a tad (not much) higher viscosity at higher temps, but this does NOT mean it "lube(s) better".
But could it be said that a 5w30 still might lube better than a 5w20; espceially in hotter seasons & short trips?
It (5w30) should have a tad (not much) higher viscosity at higher temps, but this does NOT mean it "lube(s) better".
Good info guys...I think I am gonna check the owner's manual and see if 5w30 is in the acceptable oils list based on the climate...if it is, I might use that in the 3.7L & 2.4L new Jeeps I have in the family; despite the 5w20 recommendation on the oil caps.
Originally Posted By: FastSUV
Originally Posted By: addyguy
Every viscosity is a 'range', so even if a syn 5W-20 is thinnner at 40C or 100C; it is still within the range for a 5W-20. If the manufacturer is calling for a 5W-20, they are calling for anything within the 20-weight range. Nothing needs to be 'compensated' for.
But could it be said that a 5w30 still might lube better than a 5w20; espceially in hotter seasons & short trips?
I'd say no, b/c a dino 5w30 is going to shear down to a 20-weight oil, so it will come out about the same, only 'weakened'. I'd much rather have a 'stronger' syn 2-weight that starts at that weight and stays there, w/o any shearing.
Originally Posted By: addyguy
Every viscosity is a 'range', so even if a syn 5W-20 is thinnner at 40C or 100C; it is still within the range for a 5W-20. If the manufacturer is calling for a 5W-20, they are calling for anything within the 20-weight range. Nothing needs to be 'compensated' for.
But could it be said that a 5w30 still might lube better than a 5w20; espceially in hotter seasons & short trips?
I'd say no, b/c a dino 5w30 is going to shear down to a 20-weight oil, so it will come out about the same, only 'weakened'. I'd much rather have a 'stronger' syn 2-weight that starts at that weight and stays there, w/o any shearing.
Why assume the full synthetic is thinner than it's dino counterpart?
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Why assume the full synthetic is thinner than it's dino counterpart?
If quizzes are quizzical, what are Tests?
Why assume the full synthetic is thinner than it's dino counterpart?
If quizzes are quizzical, what are Tests?
Originally Posted By: FastSUV
But could it be said that a 5w30 still might lube better than a 5w20; especially in hotter seasons & short trips?
for hotter seasons or heavier engine load you should go higher weight, for short trip or very cold cond the 5W-20 is better
But could it be said that a 5w30 still might lube better than a 5w20; especially in hotter seasons & short trips?
for hotter seasons or heavier engine load you should go higher weight, for short trip or very cold cond the 5W-20 is better
Originally Posted By: addyguy
Originally Posted By: FastSUV
Originally Posted By: addyguy
Every viscosity is a 'range', so even if a syn 5W-20 is thinnner at 40C or 100C; it is still within the range for a 5W-20. If the manufacturer is calling for a 5W-20, they are calling for anything within the 20-weight range. Nothing needs to be 'compensated' for.
But could it be said that a 5w30 still might lube better than a 5w20; espceially in hotter seasons & short trips?
I'd say no, b/c a dino 5w30 is going to shear down to a 20-weight oil, so it will come out about the same, only 'weakened'. I'd much rather have a 'stronger' syn 2-weight that starts at that weight and stays there, w/o any shearing.
No I am not talking dino...I am just saying for example, if FF was 5w20 dino, would 5w30 PP be a better choice than 5w20 PP...I plan to do PP on both of these engines but just am curious since I am picking syn if 5w30 PP would be better than 5w20 PP? Both vehicles will see short trips in both hot & cold weather.
Originally Posted By: FastSUV
Originally Posted By: addyguy
Every viscosity is a 'range', so even if a syn 5W-20 is thinnner at 40C or 100C; it is still within the range for a 5W-20. If the manufacturer is calling for a 5W-20, they are calling for anything within the 20-weight range. Nothing needs to be 'compensated' for.
But could it be said that a 5w30 still might lube better than a 5w20; espceially in hotter seasons & short trips?
I'd say no, b/c a dino 5w30 is going to shear down to a 20-weight oil, so it will come out about the same, only 'weakened'. I'd much rather have a 'stronger' syn 2-weight that starts at that weight and stays there, w/o any shearing.
No I am not talking dino...I am just saying for example, if FF was 5w20 dino, would 5w30 PP be a better choice than 5w20 PP...I plan to do PP on both of these engines but just am curious since I am picking syn if 5w30 PP would be better than 5w20 PP? Both vehicles will see short trips in both hot & cold weather.
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In truly short trips ..neither a 20 grade nor a 30 grade are at their spec'd hot visc's
They may be 60 and 70 weights when you turn the key off.
They may be 60 and 70 weights when you turn the key off.
I don't see the syn Vs. dino question at all. Isn't this a 20 Vs. 30 sorta thing?
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Originally Posted By: tropic
I don't see the syn Vs. dino question at all. Isn't this a 20 Vs. 30 sorta thing?
I do, he is wondering if he can go with a different vis. with syn than he would with dino.
I wondered the same thing, except I went thinner with syn, expecting better protection, with less drag, therefore better fuel economy. I may be way off tho......
For instance: In a car where the recommended oil is 5w30, would using 5w-20 syn afford the same protection, but flow easier, thereby improving fuel economy without damage?
I don't see the syn Vs. dino question at all. Isn't this a 20 Vs. 30 sorta thing?
I do, he is wondering if he can go with a different vis. with syn than he would with dino.
I wondered the same thing, except I went thinner with syn, expecting better protection, with less drag, therefore better fuel economy. I may be way off tho......
For instance: In a car where the recommended oil is 5w30, would using 5w-20 syn afford the same protection, but flow easier, thereby improving fuel economy without damage?
Originally Posted By: RTexasF
Use what the car maker calls for. It doesn't make a hoot if it's dino or synth.......simply follow the directions. There is no need to "outhink" the auto and oil manufacturers.
I completely agree and that is the best response I've seen so far!
But on the other hand . . . if we all did that - what would we have to talk about here on BITOG - especially in this section?
Use what the car maker calls for. It doesn't make a hoot if it's dino or synth.......simply follow the directions. There is no need to "outhink" the auto and oil manufacturers.
I completely agree and that is the best response I've seen so far!
But on the other hand . . . if we all did that - what would we have to talk about here on BITOG - especially in this section?
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