Lets put 5W-40 in everything...

[Navi]

I read somewhere on here someone saying to just put 5W-40 in everything. Hmmm....I thought. Would it go well in lets say a Toyota Camry? Would it be right for all vehicles or at least most? As I walk up the street over here and look at all the vehicles Im resolved to the fact that yes its probably a good idea to put 5W-40 in at least most vehicles especially seeing that some of these cars are lasting 10 years or more. There is a good selection over here at the Walmart with Mobil 1, Castrol, Valvoline and the budget-minded mans Quaker State at $23 per bottle.

So what could go wrong if we sat here slinging around 5W-40 resolved to putting it in everything?

 

[ATex7239]

Probably nothing.

The outcome for many commuters would likely be the same whether using 40, 30 or 20. And with the Camry example add to it 16 and 8. Go with the recommendation or go higher if you like. I’m of the use whatever you want/like mindset.

There are outliers one could point to where going with 40 only makes sense. GM 6.2 for example, but that is GM’s problem not an oil problem. For a good sized portion of the populous oil viscosity is a non issue. It’s really not something to worry about.

 

[Snagglefoot]

The thickies would spout about the virtues of 10w60.

 

[fozzdesy2001]

The thickies would spout about the virtues of 10w60.

no thinner than 0W-30

 

[Bailes1992]

I use Fuchs Titan GT1 XTL Flex 3 (catchy name, I know) 5w40 in a lot of things. It's reasonably thick and has a TON of very stout approvals. What's not to like? The only vehicle we have I would think twice about using it is our Classic Mini with it's shared sump between the gearbox and engine, but then again, it could be just fine. That's for another thread another day.

 

[shortyb]

Is this a dog whistle for thickies to rise up and take over? Our sumps have been controlled by CAFE and the "gov-ment" for too long now!

 

[GR_CoB]

I'm pretty happy with Amalie 5W-50 and/or SuperTech Synthetic 15W-40 in all of my vehicles currently.

 

[4wd]

The thickies would spout about the virtues of 10w60.

I’m a “size up” on oil, filters, tires - but have never seen a jug of 60

 

[Wireman1987]

I read somewhere on here someone saying to just put 5W-40 in everything. Hmmm....I thought. Would it go well in lets say a Toyota Camry? Would it be right for all vehicles or at least most? As I walk up the street over here and look at all the vehicles Im resolved to the fact that yes its probably a good idea to put 5W-40 in at least most vehicles especially seeing that some of these cars are lasting 10 years or more. There is a good selection over here at the Walmart with Mobil 1, Castrol, Valvoline and the budget-minded mans Quaker State at $23 per bottle.

So what could go wrong if we sat here slinging around 5W-40 resolved to putting it in everything?

This forum is going down the pipes. A post like this should go in another thread category. Like general off topic or question of the day.

 

[ka9mnx]

I do but for me it's 0w-40. I've seen no downsides, only upsides.

 

[Wylie6G72]

I've been running it in the canyon for years to slow down consumption. I'd put it in the Forte if it was acceptable in the owner's manual.

 

[GW.]

•VVT won’t work right.
•Cylinder deactivation won’t work right.
•Bearings will starve because oil passages are too small
•Engine will be sluggish
•Most importantly the electric oil pump will fail because the “tolerances” are too tight voiding the US factory warranty.

 

[4wd]

Probably nothing.

The outcome for many commuters would likely be the same whether using 40, 30 or 20. And with the Camry example add to it 16 and 8. Go with the recommendation or go higher if you like. I’m of the use whatever you want/like mindset.

There are outliers one could point to where going with 40 only makes sense. GM 6.2 for example, but that is GM’s problem not an oil problem. For a good sized portion of the populous oil viscosity is a non issue. It’s really not something to worry about.

6.2 still runs 0W20 except the small batch with the bad cranks …

 

[altaylar]

Vehicles would be fine, but gas consumption could increase. I have observed about 10% decrease in MPG moving from PUP XW20 to Motul 300v 5w40

 

[ATex7239]

6.2 still runs 0W20 except the small batch with the bad cranks …

I know. It’s an outlier like I said. Probably should have specifically mentioned it was “batch of bad parts GM problem.”

 

[TomYoung]

I do but for me it's 0w-40. I've seen no downsides, only upsides.

It kind of looks like for 0 W 40, you are only a hair away from using one oil everywhere as the OP posits.

 

[TomYoung]

The “one oil” idea is not going to work for me. I have an air cooled engine that runs best on very thick stuff, a bunch of Hondas that say 0W20 on the oil caps, and thrive on inexpensive versions, another German Car that commands a very specific 0W20 which is twice the price of what goes in the Hondas and still another German brand that wants a moderately persnickety 0W40. The cognitive dissonance of throwing some Euro 0W40 into all of these might take me out. No can do.

 

[ATex7239]

I thought we had to run Supertech/Kirkland 5w-30 in everything possible lest we meet our financial ruin.

I mean $5 more an oil change here and $10 more an oil change there then next thing you know - boom! I’m in the poor house and hitting the streets to sell my “skills” for oil money. I’ve seen it happen a 1000 times.

 

[SC Maintenance]

The thickies would spout about the virtues of 10w60.

This is always the slam against the thicker is better crowd, but if you actually listen to them they simply advocate a HTHS >3.5, with some excess being beneficial to buffer shear. Most quality 30 weights give you that, but since you never really know for how long a 40 weight seems to be the best option especially for longer OCI.

 

[IndyIan]

My solution is Pennzoil Platinum Euro 0w30 or 5w30 in the road vehicles for the odd -25,-30C start. Everything else in the shed gets RT5 15W40 semi-syn. I like the $5 oil changes on the dirt bikes!