Motor Oil 101

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sawaddi

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When I found this website, the first thing I did was read "Motor Oil 101" and I learned quite a bit about oil. Based on my new understanding, I've decided to use 0w30 or 0w40 in both of my cars so that my engines get fast lubrication on startup and good protection in the Texas heat.

Am I oversimplifying things? For example, I see many concerns about 0w30 or 0w40 oils being too thin or too thick and I wonder if I have misunderstood Motor Oil 101. Why wouldn't I want to use 0w30 or 0w40 oils in my wife's Honda and my VW CC? Why wouldn't everyone use it?
 
You're on the right track. These grades are definitely good for the CC as long as the particular oils you're looking at also carry the VW 502.00 spec.

As for Honda, what does the owner's manual suggest? Don't they spec Xw-20 oils in them nowadays? But yeah, a Euro 0w30 or 0w-40 oil won't do any harm to the engine, but may slightly impact MPG (in a negative way).

Welcome to BITOG!
 
Welcome! For the Honda, I would prefer a 0W-20, if the car recommends a 5W-20. I have a 2005 Acura MDX, with Honda's ubiquitous 3.5L J-series V-6 engine. It calls for 5W-20, but runs excellent on 0W-20. I have Mobil 1 in it now, but I plan on trying other brands of 0W-20 as well.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
But yeah, a Euro 0w30 or 0w-40 oil won't do any harm to the engine, but may slightly impact MPG (in a negative way).




Explain how a 0w30 effects MPGs in a negative way, i'm lost.
 
Artem, I said "a Euro" 0w30 or 0w-40, which is what he's probably using (or should be using) in his CC. These oils are ACEA A3 compliant and as such have relatively high HT/HS (at least 3.5 cP). This in turn makes them non-energy conserving.

A regular 0w30 such as M1 AFE will not impact fuel economy as its HT/HS is much lower.
 
Originally Posted By: Artem
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
But yeah, a Euro 0w30 or 0w-40 oil won't do any harm to the engine, but may slightly impact MPG (in a negative way).




Explain how a 0w30 effects MPGs in a negative way, i'm lost.


Compared to a 0w20, assuming that's what the Honda was originally spec'd for. The 0w30 will (nominally) stay thicker at op temps than a 0w20, so producing slightly more viscous drag on the engine, causing a TEENY loss in fuel economy.
 
I would only spend that much on oil if going 7k-10k on oil changes.
The 0w-40 or 0w-40 would benefit most in cold environments for cold morning crank ups.

These oils will help with heat protection?
 
Everyone wouldn't want to use 0w-x oils because they cost significantly more. Because of this automakers don't want to require or recommend them. And most people use what their automaker suggests. 0w-xx is mostly only available in Synthetic as well, which was not popular* a decade ago.

I'm not sure what Honda you have. That would help.

Artem, the biggest correlation of oil to fuel economy is HTHS. Of the two common 0w-30's, German Castrol has a pretty high high and M1 AFE has a pretty low HTHS. So it's possible that GC would have a higher HTHS and worse fuel economy than some 5-30's, but also it will have a loss in fuel economy compared to the 20 weight oils Honda probably recommends for this car.

EDIT: By popular I mean Honda, Toyota, Subaru, GM's Dexos.... over the last year or three automakers have started to spec syn. This was certainly not the case ten years ago. I feel syns also sell more now, but I have no data besides looking at a shelf in a store.
 
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The Honda is a 2008 CRV and the VW is a 2008 CC. The Honda specs 5w30 and I have been using 5w30 M1. The CC requires 502.00 which the M1 0w40 is. It comes from the factory with 5w40. Both have 10k OCIs.

According to Motor Oil 101, 0w oils would benefit startup in both hot and cold climates.
 
Originally Posted By: sawaddi
The Honda is a 2008 CRV and the VW is a 2008 CC. The Honda specs 5w30 and I have been using 5w30 M1. The CC requires 502.00 which the M1 0w40 is. It comes from the factory with 5w40. Both have 10k OCIs.

So, which particular oils are you planning to use going forward in both cars?
 
GC 0w30 or Mobil 1 0W-40 would be excellent choices for your VW CC. Both are VW 502.00 and ACEA A3 oils that provide the necessary protection while giving you the cold start and pumpability of a 0W oil.

I'm not as familiar with Hondas, but I'm guessing that it calls for an energy conserving 5W-20 or something similar. The GC would be acceptable to use and certainly wouldn't do any harm, but it would be beneficial as far as fuel economy to use Mobil 1 0W-20 or 0W-30.
 
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Originally Posted By: dbrowne1
GC 0w30 or Mobil 1 0W-40 would be excellent choices for your VW CC. Both are VW 502.00 and ACEA A3 oils that provide the necessary protection while giving you the cold start and pumpability of a 0W oil.

I'm not as familiar with Hondas, but I'm guessing that it calls for an energy conserving 5W-20 or something similar. The GC would be acceptable to use and certainly wouldn't do any harm, but it would be beneficial as far as fuel economy to use Mobil 1 0W-20 or 0W-30.


No, the sticker on the engine calls for 5w30
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: sawaddi
The Honda is a 2008 CRV and the VW is a 2008 CC. The Honda specs 5w30 and I have been using 5w30 M1. The CC requires 502.00 which the M1 0w40 is. It comes from the factory with 5w40. Both have 10k OCIs.

So, which particular oils are you planning to use going forward in both cars?


M1 0w40 in the CC and PP 5w20/30
 
Originally Posted By: dbrowne1
GC 0w30 or Mobil 1 0W-40 would be excellent choices for your VW CC. Both are VW 502.00 and ACEA A3 oils that provide the necessary protection while giving you the cold start and pumpability of a 0W oil.

I'm not as familiar with Hondas, but I'm guessing that it calls for an energy conserving 5W-20 or something similar. The GC would be acceptable to use and certainly wouldn't do any harm, but it would be beneficial as far as fuel economy to use Mobil 1 0W-20 or 0W-30.


Is GC 0w30 readily available and where does one find it?
 
Originally Posted By: sawaddi
No, the sticker on the engine calls for 5w30

What does your owner's manual say? The 2008 CRV manual that I found on line says to use 5w-20.
 
Originally Posted By: sawaddi
Is GC 0w30 readily available and where does one find it?

AutoZone. PepBoys.

By the way, it's not officially called GC. In the store, you'll be looking for Castrol Syntec 0w30 and making sure it says "Made in Germany" on the back label.
 
Originally Posted By: sawaddi
When I found this website, the first thing I did was read "Motor Oil 101" and I learned quite a bit about oil. Based on my new understanding, I've decided to use 0w30 or 0w40 in both of my cars so that my engines get fast lubrication on startup and good protection in the Texas heat.

Am I oversimplifying things? For example, I see many concerns about 0w30 or 0w40 oils being too thin or too thick and I wonder if I have misunderstood Motor Oil 101. Why wouldn't I want to use 0w30 or 0w40 oils in my wife's Honda and my VW CC? Why wouldn't everyone use it?


I don't think you misunderstood it. Sounds like you understand it better than most.
 
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