my car is rated for 5w30

[sasha]

my maxima is spec'd for 5w30. ive been running rotella t6 in it for 2 years now with great results. especially oil consumption.

how ever will any harm come if i decided to run a 0w20 in it.

your thoughts are appreciated.

 

[KrisZ]

"...many cars have been back specked..." this statement, while true, does not apply to your car.
Stick with minimum manufacturer's recommendation. Going thinner then recommended spec, requires sound knowledge of lubricants and how they protect the engine, not just statements that "oils have come a long way" or anonymous people on the internet telling you that everything will be honky dory.

 

[sasha]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
"...many cars have been back specked..." this statement, while true, does not apply to your car.
Stick with minimum manufacturer's recommendation. Going thinner then recommended spec, requires sound knowledge of lubricants and how they protect the engine, not just statements that "oils have come a long way" or anonymous people on the internet telling you that everything will be honky dory.
alright thats fair. my head is still fuzy right now. just woke up,with the idea to try a 0w20.

 

[Trav]

I wouldn't use 20w in that engine. These are one of the few engines that seem to run better and consume less oil on slightly heavier oil.
I use Mobil 1 0w40 in the VQ35de, it runs smoother and quieter than any other oil i tried with less consumption.

 

[sasha]

the vq engines seem to run better with heavier oils while maintaining mpg return.

just ran to one guy with a infiniti with a 4.5l v8 he runs a 20wt without a problem.

 

[bigjl]

Originally Posted By: sasha
the vq engines seem to run better with heavier oils while maintaining mpg return.

just ran to one guy with a infiniti with a 4.5l v8 he runs a 20wt without a problem.


No problems yet.

 

[Rolla07]

If you have been running rotella with great results..than why change? My experience when going from 5w30 to 0w20 is that it seemed to burn off/use some of the oil. Im using a 5w20 and seem to be using some of the oil also. I am going to run a couple intervals and see, but if Im still seeing consumption I might up it to a 5w30 and take it from there.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: sasha
just woke up,with the idea to try a 0w20.

In order to achieve what?

 

[SatinSilver]

Originally Posted By: sasha
just woke up,with the idea to try a 0w20.


And???

 

[jrustles]

Originally Posted By: sasha
the vq engines seem to run better with heavier oils while maintaining mpg return.
.


I've found this as well. My buddy used to run XD-3 0w40 and GC 0w30 (higher HTHS oils) in his Vq30 and was very happy with perceived noise attenuation and smoothness. 0w20 won't cause any major issues. If you just decide to experiment, which doesn't seem unreasonable given winter coming up, please keep us posted on how it does ie consumption, NVH, fuel economy etc

 

[KCJeep]

Nope, don't do it. Your engine won't grenade but I doubt it's the best choice for it, or it woulda been spec'd for the "thin is in" mania in the first place.

 

[Smokescreen]

2 of my engines are spec'd for 5w30....I run 5w30...in all of them.

 

[sasha]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: sasha
just woke up,with the idea to try a 0w20.

In order to achieve what?
possible mpg gains, but at this point im sticking with the 5w30 or thicker oil.

 

[Quattro Pete]

MPG gains would be minimal. You'll improve your MPG more by adjusting your driving style, not to mention not driving a large car such as a Maxima, alas I'm not telling you to sell your car.

 

[sasha]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
MPG gains would be minimal. You'll improve your MPG more by adjusting your driving style, not to mention not driving a large car such as a Maxima, alas I'm not telling you to sell your car.

at the current time i can get 300-320 miles out of my gas tank in stop&go traffic. with winter blend fuels it drops to 280-300 miles.

and a 02 max is a mid sized. compared to modern large sized cars its small.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: sasha
at the current time i can get 300-320 miles out of my gas tank in stop&go traffic.

What is it in terms of actual MPG?

 

[CATERHAM]

You haven't said how you drive your Maxima?
If you're doing mostly short trips of under 20 minutes duration in the winter and you don't use WOT when the oil is fully hot then yes I think you would benefit from using a 0W-20 such as Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0W-20.
Ideally though, to knowingly maintain a reasonable operational viscosity reserve you should first install some oil gauges. This way there is no guessing involved as to whether or not 0W-20 oil ever gets too light in service.

If you're not up to installing at least an oil pressure gauge I'd suggest just running a light high VI 0W/5w30.
Might want to try the new G-Oil 0w30 when it becomes available or Sustina 5w30 that is available.
Or make your own 200+ VI 0W-30, 60/40 blend of TGMO 0W-20 and Mobil 1 0W-40. See below:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?
ubb=showflat&Number=3024542

This blend is lighter than all 5W-20s on start-up and many OTC 0W-20s. A best of both worlds scenario.

 

[CATERHAM]

Sorry, here's the VOA of the TGMO/M1 blend:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/caterham-blend-mobil-0w40-sm-tgmo-0w20-sn.198118/

 

[sasha]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: sasha
at the current time i can get 300-320 miles out of my gas tank in stop&go traffic.

What is it in terms of actual MPG?
if i run the tank empty it will take 16.5 gallons until the gun clicks.

so 320 miles divided by 16.5 = 19.4 mpg city. i have michellin fuel saver tires on it.
my trip to work takes 30-45 minutes depending on time of day or 12.5 miles. i drive the car conservitevly if possible unless im [censored] off or im surrounded by moron drivers.

 

[blackman777]

Originally Posted By: sasha
possible mpg gains, but at this point im sticking with the 5w30 or thicker oil.

My old Dodge Avenger V6 averaged 28 mpg all its life, but one day I tried an experiment of going 45 miles an hour (just a tick above 1500rpm). I scored 40 mpg on that long distance run. A repeat at 50 gave me 38mpg.

On the Nissan Leaf EV, various owners experimented and found they can double their range simply by slowing from 75 to 45. When I rented a Hyundai Accent I drove 50 and scored 55 MPG. Speed is the biggest way to improve economy.