Is there any reason I should NOT run 5w20 in 2011-

[asker123]

I do not understand it.
Mostly I have seen people asking here whether they will be fine running thicker grade oil ( 5W30 instead of 5W20 for example) as they feel thicker provides better protection and thinner oil was result of CAFE.

Why are you interested in running a thinner oil than your specified grade?

 

[kschachn]

In my case I use 0W-20 in my ECHO since it is (apparently) back-speced by the manufacturer. My reason is that it causes less startup noise especially in cold weather. I have seen no definitive evidence anywhere that it is lesser "protection" than a thicker grade. I've used it for approximately 150,000 miles now.

I also used 5W-20 in my old Sienna (same reduction in startup noise), but due to increasing consumption especially at sustained highway speeds I've gone back to using 5W-30.

I would not do it however if the manufacturer had not published it as being acceptable.

Originally Posted By: asker123
I do not understand it.
Mostly I have seen people asking here whether they will be fine running thicker grade oil ( 5W30 instead of 5W20 for example) as they feel thicker provides better protection and thinner oil was result of CAFE.

Why are you interested in running a thinner oil than your specified grade?

 

[GMBoy]

I am in the reverse situation. The wife's 2014 Grand Cherokee Overland 3.6 calls for 5w/20 and I've been using Mobil 1 EP 5w/20 in it but at EVERY oil change I almost go with 5w/30. I feel that I would be better served by 5w/30 here in Texas but then again how do I know? It's just my opinion and I've not yet done a UOA so I cannot say how the 5w/20 is doing. I change the oil in that vehicle at 5k mile intervals so I am pretty sure all is well. This is my 1st vehicle calling for a 20wt oil and as a traditional 30wt guy I have heartburn using 20wt lol SInce the older (but identical mostly) pentastars called for 5w/30 I think I will ultimately go to 5w/30 soon anyhow.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: GMBoy
I am in the reverse situation. The wife's 2014 Grand Cherokee Overland 3.6 calls for 5w/20 and I've been using Mobil 1 EP 5w/20 in it but at EVERY oil change I almost go with 5w/30. I feel that I would be better served by 5w/30 here in Texas but then again how do I know? It's just my opinion and I've not yet done a UOA so I cannot say how the 5w/20 is doing. I change the oil in that vehicle at 5k mile intervals so I am pretty sure all is well. This is my 1st vehicle calling for a 20wt oil and as a traditional 30wt guy I have heartburn using 20wt lol SInce the older (but identical mostly) pentastars called for 5w/30 I think I will ultimately go to 5w/30 soon anyhow.


My 2016 Jeep owners manual says to use 5W20, 5W30 is also OK as long as it meets the MS6395 spec. See if your owners manual has similar wording.

 

[Merkava_4]

Oil cap says 5W-30 but the OP has a strong compulsion to run 5W-20. This is a very common theme here on BITOG, but why ? Why do these people think thinner is better ? What we need is an oil psychiatrist to explain this to us.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: GMBoy
I am in the reverse situation. The wife's 2014 Grand Cherokee Overland 3.6 calls for 5w/20 and I've been using Mobil 1 EP 5w/20 in it but at EVERY oil change I almost go with 5w/30. I feel that I would be better served by 5w/30 here in Texas but then again how do I know? It's just my opinion and I've not yet done a UOA so I cannot say how the 5w/20 is doing. I change the oil in that vehicle at 5k mile intervals so I am pretty sure all is well. This is my 1st vehicle calling for a 20wt oil and as a traditional 30wt guy I have heartburn using 20wt lol SInce the older (but identical mostly) pentastars called for 5w/30 I think I will ultimately go to 5w/30 soon anyhow.


My 2016 Jeep owners manual says to use 5W20, 5W30 is also OK as long as it meets the MS6395 spec. See if your owners manual has similar wording.



THANKS! You are correct as mine does also. I will be going to 5w/30 at the next service.

QUOTE from my manual:

Engine Oil Viscosity – 3.6L Engine
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy.
The engine oil filler cap also shows the recommended
engine oil viscosity for your engine.
NOTE: SAE 5W-30 engine oil approved to Fiat 9.55535-S1
or Fiat 9.55535-S3 may be used when SAE 5W-20 engine
oil meeting MS- 6395 is not available.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Oil cap says 5W-30 but the OP has a strong compulsion to run 5W-20. This is a very common theme here on BITOG, but why ? Why do these people think thinner is better ? What we need is an oil psychiatrist to explain this to us.

I agree!

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: GMBoy
I am in the reverse situation. The wife's 2014 Grand Cherokee Overland 3.6 calls for 5w/20 and I've been using Mobil 1 EP 5w/20 in it but at EVERY oil change I almost go with 5w/30. I feel that I would be better served by 5w/30 here in Texas but then again how do I know? It's just my opinion and I've not yet done a UOA so I cannot say how the 5w/20 is doing. I change the oil in that vehicle at 5k mile intervals so I am pretty sure all is well. This is my 1st vehicle calling for a 20wt oil and as a traditional 30wt guy I have heartburn using 20wt lol SInce the older (but identical mostly) pentastars called for 5w/30 I think I will ultimately go to 5w/30 soon anyhow.


My 2016 Jeep owners manual says to use 5W20, 5W30 is also OK as long as it meets the MS6395 spec. See if your owners manual has similar wording.



THANKS! You are correct as mine does also. I will be going to 5w/30 at the next service.

QUOTE from my manual:

Engine Oil Viscosity – 3.6L Engine
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy.
The engine oil filler cap also shows the recommended
engine oil viscosity for your engine.
NOTE: SAE 5W-30 engine oil approved to Fiat 9.55535-S1
or Fiat 9.55535-S3 may be used when SAE 5W-20 engine
oil meeting MS- 6395 is not available.

I'm using PU 5W30 in mine.

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Oil cap says 5W-30 but the OP has a strong compulsion to run 5W-20. This is a very common theme here on BITOG, but why ? Why do these people think thinner is better ? What we need is an oil psychiatrist to explain this to us.

I told you my reason above and it does not require a psychiatrist to explain it.

You're not the only one who likes a quieter engine, just saying.

 

[Shannow]

What were the before and after FFT spectra and dB readings ?

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: dwcopple
Any issue with me running 5w20 in the winter oil change?

You probably could, but if you're really worried about winter performance and are expecting some horrific conditions this winter, a 0w-30 would be a more appropriate choice. One could make better arguments for a 20 if one were doing that to deal with short tripping, rather than cold starting.

 

[dwcopple]

Originally Posted By: CT8
I Would question why would you want to run 5W-20 in your Pentastar?
because I have some left on the shelf...

 

[Gene K]

If its out of warranty, oil temps will remain below 250F and you dont have excessive fuel dilution I dont believe you will have an issue. Thats not the same as knowing.

You could blend in about 50% of a 5W30 of a similar add pack if it makes you feel better.

In reality the majority of engines out their would run 200,000 miles om anything from 20 grade to 60 grade. 1.5 cSt isnt likely to make a huge difference.

I would do it in a heart beat in Michigan Winters.

 

[BrocLuno]

Look at the HTHS for your selected oils and compare. If the 5W-20 and the 5W-30 are close, there is no issue

If they are say more than 0.3 apart, I'd be inclined to stay with factory recommendations unless this is fall fill for winter driving, then again, you are good to go if it'll get changed again in the spring

 

[Harleydav91]

I have a 2014 Jeep Wrangler with the 3.6 Pentastar engine. The oil cap says 5W-20. I had 5W-30 written on the oil change windshield sticker, the dealer saw it during a warranty check for an unrelated issue, and changed the oil at my cost to 5W-20.
This is in Las Vegas summers, where the coolant temp runs up to 40F hotter.
I change twice a year, so 5W-20 makes sense in our winter, but 5W-30 seems better for summer temps of 110-115F.

 

[Danno]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
Originally Posted By: Danno
Mods, please move this to humour section.

Let me know when you get to - 40 C without windchill.
We hit - 51 C with windchill last Feb.


while in the humour section...how exactly does 5W20 differ from 5W30 at -40 without windchill.

And while still in the humour section, explain how those oils (and the sump in which they are contained) respond to windchill (they don't...can't get cooler than the dry bulb temperature ever)...and how your -51C with windchill helps the OP's request regarding operating viscosity (the 20 versus 30 part).

Lighten up mate. Life's too short.