Manufacturers and 0W-20

[WagonBoss]

Several new vehicles on my looking list "require" 0W-20 synthetic. Specifically Subaru in there in new engine in the Forester, but Honda and Toyota too. What's the big deal here? Is it business or something really specific about these oils? I live in a moderate climate with no real extremes and from what I've learned on this site any good conventional x-20 ought to work just fine on a 5 to 7.5k OCI. Any support for this thought. I'm just not ready to jump on the $6 to $8 dollar a quart bandwagon. I'm having enough problems with sticker shock and tire prices.

 

[cmf]

It's for slightly better MPG ratings.

 

[bepperb]

Well, you're going to want to use it because you're going to want to keep your warranty hassles to a minimum.

Really, M1 0-20 is at walmart for 25 bucks a jug. In a year or two 0w-20 will be as common as 5-20. I had an 01 Honda 5-20 and had to shop around for oil. By 03 it was everywhere. I believe Chevron ???? (conoco/philips?) already makes a conventional 0w-20.

 

[HTSS_TR]

The Oil Life Monitor(OLM) of those engines are calibrated with syn oil, if you use conventional oil then you need to reduce OCI by about 1/2. Also, you may have problem with warranty if any failure that can be attributed to oil. During warranty use what is "required" and use what you want after warranty.

 

[tig1]

It would seem to me if you can afford a new Subaru you can afford the correct oil for it per the manufactures warranty requirements just to be on the safe side. JMO

 

[chubbs1]

They have sales all the time at the auto parts stores. When they have the 0w20 you like just load up. Also as said above, M1 0w20AFE is very good and $24.50 for 5qts. Yes you can use 5w20, and I seriously doubt you will have any warranty issues. Most Vehicle manuals state 5w20 is OK. Just read the maintenance section.