OEM Japanese Synthetic Oils

[Whimsey]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Originally Posted By: Indydriver
For what nearly everyone on this site uses motor oil for, all will do a comparable job. If you can find something on sale for $4.50-$5.00/qt then buy it. Otherwise, you're wasting money.

I don't entirely disagree with you but you might have a different opinion if you had an oil pressure gauge in you vehicles.
The first time I ran the Toyota 0W-20 I was shocked at how low the oil pressure was on start-up at room temperature. When I switched to the Idemitsu 0W-20 I was disappointed that is was quite a bit heavier although it is likely lighter than ever other 20wt oil available. Without an OP gauge I would have been totally blind to the difference.


I don't have a real op gauge in my 2002 F-150 but my winter starts in -0F* are quiet using Motorcraft 5W-20 and the Motorcraft FL820S oil filter. My truck sits outside 24/7. Maybe I'm losing some cold start mpg but my truck is a pig with mpg so it's not noticable. To me as long as the cold starts are noiseless then all is well with the oil and filter.

Whimsey

 

[Indydriver]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Originally Posted By: Indydriver
For what nearly everyone on this site uses motor oil for, all will do a comparable job. If you can find something on sale for $4.50-$5.00/qt then buy it. Otherwise, you're wasting money.

I don't entirely disagree with you but you might have a different opinion if you had an oil pressure gauge in you vehicles.
The first time I ran the Toyota 0W-20 I was shocked at how low the oil pressure was on start-up at room temperature. When I switched to the Idemitsu 0W-20 I was disappointed that is was quite a bit heavier although it is likely lighter than ever other 20wt oil available. Without an OP gauge I would have been totally blind to the difference.


I don't quite understand your comment. I know you are a big fan of the Toyota oil. Are you saying that low oil pressure on startup is a good thing?

 

[CATERHAM]

At 0F, even with the Toyota 0W-20, an OP gauge will be not much use as the oil pump will be in by-pass mode for quite a while until some heat can get into the oil to thin it out.
Nevertheless, a light 0W-20 is so much thinner than a 5W-20 at those temp's you should notice the difference; easier starting and improved throttle response.
I'd try it first before assuming you won't notice anything.

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: Indydriver
Originally Posted By: CATERHAM

I don't quite understand your comment. I know you are a big fan of the Toyota oil. Are you saying that low oil pressure on startup is a good thing?

Lower oil pressure mean the oil is lighter but still way heavier than optimum; so yes lower oil pressure on start-up is better. That's why an OP gauge is effectively a viscosity meter.

 

[gpshumway]

Originally Posted By: bluesubie
The Subaru Idemitsu oil only recently got the API label on the bottle. The earlier versions didn't list it.

-Dennis


Are you sure? Great info if true, It would be great if the SN version also has the doughnut.

I ask because the only API doughnut I've seen was Alley Cat's picture on SubaruForester.org, it said SM. I was at the Subaru dealer two weeks ago and they swore the blank bottle I was looking at was new (SN) stock. Who knows how much the parts guy really knew though.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
I don't think Nissan has jumped on the 0W-20 bandwagon yet.
But the other four Japanese OEMs; namely Toyota, Honda, Mazda and Subaru have their own 0W-20 brand.
The lightest is the EOM made Toyota 0W-20 with it's 216 VI.
Honda/Acura US use a CoP made 0W-20 with a 177 VI.
Both Mazda and Subaru use the Idemitsu 0W-20; 200 VI and it's about 10% heavier at operating temp's than the Toyota oil.

Red Line 0W-20 with it's 3.0cP HTHSV (166 VI) is really a light 30wt oil and consiquently is much heavier than all OTC 20wt oils. I would use this in any typical 30wt application.

My personal favorite of the Japanese 0W-20's is the Toyota oil particularly for winter use, it is the lightest oil for typical start-up temp's you can buy.
My second fav' is the Idemitsu 0W-20. If you want a more robust 20wt oil but still with a high VI, that would be my choice.








I suspect Nissan isn't moving to Xw20s because most of their V6s are fairly "high-strung" and very hard on oil. The VQ35 & VQ37 rev pretty high and are hard on oil, from what I've seen.

 

[CATERHAM]

And they see high oil temp's which pretty much rules out 20wt oil.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
And they see high oil temp's which pretty much rules out 20wt oil.


One day I'll install a temperature gauge in my G. I'm getting curious about the oil temperatures of the thing compared to something like my old Audi Turbo.