I may be dating myself a bit here, but I remember this viscosity being popular in the 1970's. What was its application, and what did 20w-20 really mean? Thanks
Remember 20w-20?
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Patman
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Wouldn't that just be a straight 20 weight?
![[Confused]](images/icons/confused.gif)
driven2services
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It meets the 20W cold cranking spec, and it meets the SAE 20 spec when hot.
Patman
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quote:If that's the case, then this would be no better than 5w20 oil, in fact much worse! It would be too thin when hot and too thick when cold compared to a viscosity like 10w30.
Originally posted by Ken: It meets the 20W cold cranking spec, and it meets the SAE 20 spec when hot.
Remember, the W stands for winter. This is the weight of the oil when tested at 0 degrees. That's why won't see a 30W, 40W, or 50W. They don't work at 0 degrees, so there is no need to test them at that.
Patman: Your are correct. The 5W or 10W would work better.
Was used many years ago in Alaska for winter operations.
Would a 20W-20 oil be OK to use in an 02 Accord (Honda recommends 5W-20), in the summer time only in Texas typical lows 75F-80F Highs 95F-105F. I would think since a single grade would not have any VI improvers it would be a more stable oil and less likely to break down and since it rarely gets below 75F at night here I shouldn't need the 5W. Any opinions?
20W-20 is an old spec. It's not made in service category SL; SJ is the best you'll probably find, so it doesn't meet the requirement for your engine.
VIIs are not anything to avoid, just something to not abuse or overuse.
Ken
20W-20 Wow, I had forgotten about that one. I remember having it at the garage where I worked, altho I don't remember using much of it. That was back in the days of oil cans. I can still hear the sound of "tapping the can". ![[Smile]](images/icons/smile.gif)
When I was in college, I recall that G.M. specified 20W-20 for my 64 Chevy Biscayne and my dad's 61 Buick LeSabre for mild climates. I still don't understand how 20W-20 is any different than straight 20 weight. "Both" behave like a cold 20 weight when cold, and both behave like a hot 20 weight when hot. (Duhh...) Makes about as much sense as the Circus-Circus Casino in Las Vegas. So, what am I missing here?
quote:I remember 20w20 quite well. My dad swore by Havoline 30wt, but I remember him telling me one time that if he lived "up North" he'd use 20w20 in the winter. For what it's worth, I believe the only difference between an oil labeled 20w20 and 20 was the 20w20 actually had a pour point depressant blended in, where the straight 20 didn't. This didn't affect the cold or hot viscosity, but it would make the 20w20 have a lower pour point.
Originally posted by Ray H: When I was in college, I recall that G.M. specified 20W-20 for my 64 Chevy Biscayne and my dad's 61 Buick LeSabre for mild climates. I still don't understand how 20W-20 is any different than straight 20 weight. "Both" behave like a cold 20 weight when cold, and both behave like a hot 20 weight when hot. (Duhh...) Makes about as much sense as the Circus-Circus Casino in Las Vegas. So, what am I missing here?
The Conoco sounds like good oil I like the [email protected] 9.01 almost a 30 Weight. Most of the 5W20's seem to be in the 8.2-8.5 range.
Kevin
quote:Did you say "CAN" haha man my dad used to have actual castrol GTX cans
Originally posted by cak446: If you think 20W-20 oil is weird, I have a can of Valvoline All-Climate Heavy Duty SAE 10W-20W-40 motor oil! It is rated SF, SE, CC, and it claims to "Save Gas"!Carl
I remember oil coming in cans and Im not that old, but now I really feel old, **** wow thanks ![[Big Grin]](images/icons/grin.gif){kind=icon}
I remember 20W-20 as well but was too young to know anything about it ![[Wink]](images/icons/wink.gif){kind=icon}
![[Duh!]](/forums/graemlins/pat.gif)
Patman
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When I was 17 I bought Slick 50 (I didn't know better) and it came in a can! Not only that, but I had to mail order it and it was $50!! ![[Eek!]](images/icons/shocked.gif)
Yeah, I remember oil being sold in 1-quart glass bottles with a metal spout at filling stations. The oil was bulk, and the jars were the property of the station. Take-away oil was sold in 1 qt. or 4 qt. metal cans. Later, paper replaced metal for the can's sides - you had to be careful when opening these with an oil spout not to crush the can. Cars used alot more oil back then.
Yea I remember how I could never seem to get the metal spout in without the can collapsing. Also don't forget about the good old Cook's Re Re-fined oil in the blue cans.
Kevin
I remember the oil leaking where the spout and can met.
quote:I remember those big tins as holding 5 quarts. Sure do remember the oil in those glass bottles, and refilling them from the hand-crank pump over that square oil tank. Didn't cars get 1000 mile oil changes in those days, 10,000 mile tuneups and lucky to get 10,000 on a set of tires? 10-30 was something new? 12 volt electrical systems were something new. Of course, I was just a kid then. Ken
Originally posted by williar: Yeah, I remember oil being sold in 1-quart glass bottles with a metal spout at filling stations. The oil was bulk, and the jars were the property of the station. Take-away oil was sold in 1 qt. or 4 qt. metal cans. Later, paper replaced metal for the can's sides - you had to be careful when opening these with an oil spout not to crush the can. Cars used alot more oil back then.
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