- Joined
- Aug 1, 2020
- Messages
- 5
I have a new 2019 Kia Niro (HEV) - production date late October 2019 purchased in July, so on the lot for a few more months than typical - but got the exact package I wanted - very deeply discounted.
So, my plan is to do the first oil change at 3,000 miles. I'm in Minnesota, but the car stays in an attached garage in the middle of town, so really more like southern Iowa in terms of winter impact on starts. My driving is mildly spirited (after break-in), and there's a normal mix of driving but quite a bit of the short trip situations. I'm quite sure I'll be keeping this vehicle for a long time - and many miles.
The Finance guy said Kia is strict about full synthetic for warranty, which I was planning to do anyways given the hybrid GDI configuration. What has me confused (or would it be more correct to say - what has Kia confused) - is the specification. While the cap lists "0w20" spec, the manual indicates a C temp range of -30 (or lower) to +50 (or more) for 0w20, 5w20 and 5w30 - all listed together on the same graph... with ACEA A5 "or above" / API SM(!) / ILSAC GF-4 - with the disclaimer that ACEA A3 is allowed if A5 "is not available in your country." (Nothing in the manual says anything about full synthetic.)
Well, I get that Kia wants 0w20 as a matter of pushing up the MPG claim, but I really do question that specification for 0w20 and A5... and how rare it is to find that combination. Given that Pennzoil Platinum Ultra 5w30 achieves not only A5/B5, GF-6A and API SP, the pour point is -48 C which beats out many of the 0w20 formulations for cold weather performance and the viscosity ratings - I would think that oil would be a great choice. The specs on Total Quartz - no matter the formulation - as the preferred pour do not seem nearly as good. Perhaps there are detergent differences, but who would know?
So, am I missing something? I admit that I'm not nearly as well-briefed as most of you here, but I have more than a basic understanding of oil technology. Please be kind - this is my maiden voyage here.
So, my plan is to do the first oil change at 3,000 miles. I'm in Minnesota, but the car stays in an attached garage in the middle of town, so really more like southern Iowa in terms of winter impact on starts. My driving is mildly spirited (after break-in), and there's a normal mix of driving but quite a bit of the short trip situations. I'm quite sure I'll be keeping this vehicle for a long time - and many miles.
The Finance guy said Kia is strict about full synthetic for warranty, which I was planning to do anyways given the hybrid GDI configuration. What has me confused (or would it be more correct to say - what has Kia confused) - is the specification. While the cap lists "0w20" spec, the manual indicates a C temp range of -30 (or lower) to +50 (or more) for 0w20, 5w20 and 5w30 - all listed together on the same graph... with ACEA A5 "or above" / API SM(!) / ILSAC GF-4 - with the disclaimer that ACEA A3 is allowed if A5 "is not available in your country." (Nothing in the manual says anything about full synthetic.)
Well, I get that Kia wants 0w20 as a matter of pushing up the MPG claim, but I really do question that specification for 0w20 and A5... and how rare it is to find that combination. Given that Pennzoil Platinum Ultra 5w30 achieves not only A5/B5, GF-6A and API SP, the pour point is -48 C which beats out many of the 0w20 formulations for cold weather performance and the viscosity ratings - I would think that oil would be a great choice. The specs on Total Quartz - no matter the formulation - as the preferred pour do not seem nearly as good. Perhaps there are detergent differences, but who would know?
So, am I missing something? I admit that I'm not nearly as well-briefed as most of you here, but I have more than a basic understanding of oil technology. Please be kind - this is my maiden voyage here.