Hello BITOGers! Long time lurker, new member.
So I’ve been wondering for a while but haven’t found a good answer. Many people believe that “thicker” viscosity oils protect better. Well with most if not all engines having an oil pump pressure relief valve, wouldn’t the best oil viscosity be as thin as possible to yet still hit that relieve valve pressure spec when hot?
Example: my 2017 Silverado calls for 0W-20. It has a relief valve pressure spec of ~40 until 3500rpm, when it then hits a second stage of flow where it ramps up 60+. I frequently tow 5K+ LBs in the hot summer months and it pretty much always hits that ~40 psi spec before 3500 rpm. In my mind, this is a good viscosity for this engine. What’re yalls thoughts?
So I’ve been wondering for a while but haven’t found a good answer. Many people believe that “thicker” viscosity oils protect better. Well with most if not all engines having an oil pump pressure relief valve, wouldn’t the best oil viscosity be as thin as possible to yet still hit that relieve valve pressure spec when hot?
Example: my 2017 Silverado calls for 0W-20. It has a relief valve pressure spec of ~40 until 3500rpm, when it then hits a second stage of flow where it ramps up 60+. I frequently tow 5K+ LBs in the hot summer months and it pretty much always hits that ~40 psi spec before 3500 rpm. In my mind, this is a good viscosity for this engine. What’re yalls thoughts?