Oil viscosity and if you can feel the difference?

[tenderloin]

"All Others Bring Data"

Like data cannot be manipulated?

 

[Merkava_4]

There seems to be a cut off point as to the thickest oil a certain car can handle before there's a loss in performance. If I was to go with Havoline again, I think I'd stay with 10W-30. Oh and by the way, that's a nice chart you made up.

 

[Ugly3]

I've now gone 150 miles after switching my 3800 V6 from Mobil 1 5w30 to Mobil 1 5w20. The only thing I have noticed is that it takes longer to get up to full temp. No performance changes have been noticed.

 

[Merkava_4]

If I remember correctly, the 3800 is recommended by the owner's manual to have 5W-30 or 10W-30 depending on the year.

 

[bar1]

I've tested 0W-30 to 10W-60 in my old '96 S6 2,2 turbo Audi. No difference at all when it comes to performance.
xW-30 to xW-40 showed no difference in fuel consumtion. Going to xW-60 increased fuel consumption by 3-5%. All oil was synthetic.

 

[Iain]

Quote:

---

One thing that has really been bothering me is if you can really "feel" the differnce in a slight viscosty change. Or if it is simply mind over matter. The fact is, the Ford modular 4.6L was introduced in a Lincoln in 91' and used 5w-30 up until late 2000 when they made the switch to 5w-20. This was done with no engine design changes to accompany this new spec'ed oil. Now people think this engine can only run 5w-20.

Now given this engine is spec'ed for 5w-30, with an average cSt @100 C of 10.8, why would some say the engine feels sluggish when GC 0w-30 is used with a cSt @100 C of 12.3? Are you saying with that slight change in viscosity creates a detectable drag on the engine that you would feel during throttle response? I'm confused.

---

My 2001 Ford Taurus (3.0L DOHC V-6/AX4N trans) is specd for 5W-20 oil.

Last year (Feb-Dec 2006) I ran Mobil 1 5W-20. Only noticeable differences are engine runs cooler and starts somewhat quicker when warm than current fill.

That said, what made the most difference in performance was complete fluid replacement of old dino ATF with synthetic ATF early last summer. I was amazed by this and will never run dino ATF again.

 

[glenncof]

Cold drivability (hop in and go) appeared to improve on a 1997 Tahoe 5.7L going from Castrol 10W30 to Syntec 5W30. I believe it was due to the change in weight at cold temp.

This was important since it was a mom's truck for hauling kids to school, play dates, and other events. Lots of short trips.

 

[Ugly3]

Iv'e now gone over 1,000 miles with 5w20 replacing 5w30 in my 195,000 Chrysler 3800 V6. I see no change in operating performance, starting is easier, MPG looks the same, and consumption is not an issue.