switching from 5W30 to 5W20

Pennzoil motor oil
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Originally Posted By: virginoil
Don’t join the anorexia engine oil club.

Going thinner is not always best. Mileage increase is barely measurable.

Like its been said in earlier posts what will a 5w20 do other than increase the risk of ............ ?

It’s a knuckle head thing to do, IMO, considering the mileage and no problems to date.

As the adage says, if you are on a good thing stick to it. I've learnt the hard way.





I do agree with you,however when I hear an engine re builder such as crazyoildude say 5W20 is a good oil,it makes me think.
 
I'm jumpin' in late here!

Of all of our cars in my family, plus some of the vehicle that I have had recently(sold in the last several years), 5W30 seems to be the best all around oil for all of them.

I have done the 5W20, 10W30/10W40 thing and even an occasional OCI of some 0W20, 0W30, or 0W40 that I happened to fine on closeout. And I really have to say that 5W30 seem to be the best happy medium that I can put in anything we drive.

5W30 seems to give the best/consistant MPG, quiet operation, less overthinking about oils and any of the issues that may keep us up at night. And too, I haven't noticed ever, ever, any MPG increases/benefits when using a 20 wgt.

5W30 is the "Go To" oil. Sure, I'll buy up a shelf of any oil wgt on sale/closeout/discontinued, if it's a good brand name and of the proper oil for at least one of my cars. I don't want any 20W50 even if it cheap. I have no use for it.

I have used the 5W30 in cars calling for strictly 5W20 and I like the 5W30 better. And visa-versa! I have used 5W20 where the 5W30 is called for and I don't really like it, mainly due to more audiable sounds that I don't care for.

I did once use some Valvoline 5w20 conventional(that was given to me) in an '88(yes, '88) Accord 4cyl/carb and never really noticed the difference in anything...Noise, MPG or otherwise!

My daughters '06 Mazda3 calls only for 5W20 and I use mostly 5W30 and like it better by comparison. MPG is the same as the 5W20 and it's a bit quieter also with the 5W30.

I have used 5W20 in my wifes Lexus RX which calls for 5-10W30 and I get a light tapping sound that I don't like. No MPG benefits either.

I have used 5W20 in my Altima which calls for 5-10W30/10W40 and it doesn't really seem too bad once the timing chain rattle goes away
wink.gif
...Really! And 10W40 doesn't really make it any quieter...Really!

I'm using 5W30 MaxLife in my '80 Firebird V8 and it run smooth. And I have used tons of different oils in this engine over the last 31 years.

With all of the talk about oil wgts, I have now just convinced myself that 5W30 is what I will buy unless I find real deals on whatever oil. But, 5W30 is what I'll be shooting for!
 
Originally Posted By: rcy
lexus114, as you know from over at the Lexus forums, I've been running Toyota 0w20 in my 400h for the past two winters. I DO plan to run it all year, but I had a couple jugs of 5w30 I had to use up over the last two summers. Now, I recently got some Pennzoil Ultra 5w20 on sale so I will probably use that next summer.

My experience running the 0w20 in the Lexus - nothing to report. Car runs the same - it might be a bit smoother at start up than with the 5w30. I've done a used oil analysis and the results are posted somewhere around here. Good results.

It hasn't thrown a rod through whatever blah blah that someone else posted. I also don't baby this vehicle - I like the surge of power when the electric motors and engine are all working at the same time (the passing performance of this vehicle is exemplary).



I think I`ll just stay with 5W30.
grin.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
I'm jumpin' in late here!

Of all of our cars in my family, plus some of the vehicle that I have had recently(sold in the last several years), 5W30 seems to be the best all around oil for all of them.

I have done the 5W20, 10W30/10W40 thing and even an occasional OCI of some 0W20, 0W30, or 0W40 that I happened to fine on closeout. And I really have to say that 5W30 seem to be the best happy medium that I can put in anything we drive.

5W30 seems to give the best/consistant MPG, quiet operation, less overthinking about oils and any of the issues that may keep us up at night. And too, I haven't noticed ever, ever, any MPG increases/benefits when using a 20 wgt.

5W30 is the "Go To" oil. Sure, I'll buy up a shelf of any oil wgt on sale/closeout/discontinued, if it's a good brand name and of the proper oil for at least one of my cars. I don't want any 20W50 even if it cheap. I have no use for it.

I have used the 5W30 in cars calling for strictly 5W20 and I like the 5W30 better. And visa-versa! I have used 5W20 where the 5W30 is called for and I don't really like it, mainly due to more audiable sounds that I don't care for.

I did once use some Valvoline 5w20 conventional(that was given to me) in an '88(yes, '88) Accord 4cyl/carb and never really noticed the difference in anything...Noise, MPG or otherwise!

My daughters '06 Mazda3 calls only for 5W20 and I use mostly 5W30 and like it better by comparison. MPG is the same as the 5W20 and it's a bit quieter also with the 5W30.

I have used 5W20 in my wifes Lexus RX which calls for 5-10W30 and I get a light tapping sound that I don't like. No MPG benefits either.

I have used 5W20 in my Altima which calls for 5-10W30/10W40 and it doesn't really seem too bad once the timing chain rattle goes away
wink.gif
...Really! And 10W40 doesn't really make it any quieter...Really!

I'm using 5W30 MaxLife in my '80 Firebird V8 and it run smooth. And I have used tons of different oils in this engine over the last 31 years.

With all of the talk about oil wgts, I have now just convinced myself that 5W30 is what I will buy unless I find real deals on whatever oil. But, 5W30 is what I'll be shooting for!



I have that on Synthetic. But not on Conventional.
 
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: virginoil
Don’t join the anorexia engine oil club.

Going thinner is not always best. Mileage increase is barely measurable.

Like its been said in earlier posts what will a 5w20 do other than increase the risk of ............ ?

It’s a knuckle head thing to do, IMO, considering the mileage and no problems to date.

As the adage says, if you are on a good thing stick to it. I've learnt the hard way.





I do agree with you,however when I hear an engine re builder such as crazyoildude say 5W20 is a good oil,it makes me think.


Like you said crazyoildude is an engine rebuilder, he can take a risk even if its ver small. He can do the repairs on the cheap as that seems to be his trade with access to equipment, parts and knowhow. How are you geared up ?
 
Originally Posted By: virginoil

Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: virginoil
Don’t join the anorexia engine oil club.

Going thinner is not always best. Mileage increase is barely measurable.

Like its been said in earlier posts what will a 5w20 do other than increase the risk of ............ ?

It’s a knuckle head thing to do, IMO, considering the mileage and no problems to date.

As the adage says, if you are on a good thing stick to it. I've learnt the hard way.





I do agree with you,however when I hear an engine re builder such as crazyoildude say 5W20 is a good oil,it makes me think.


Like you said crazyoildude is an engine rebuilder, he can take a risk even if its ver small. He can do the repairs on the cheap as that seems to be his trade with access to equipment, parts and knowhow. How are you geared up ?



Not enough to try it my friend.
grin.gif
 
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: rcy
lexus114, as you know from over at the Lexus forums, I've been running Toyota 0w20 in my 400h for the past two winters. I DO plan to run it all year, but I had a couple jugs of 5w30 I had to use up over the last two summers. Now, I recently got some Pennzoil Ultra 5w20 on sale so I will probably use that next summer.

My experience running the 0w20 in the Lexus - nothing to report. Car runs the same - it might be a bit smoother at start up than with the 5w30. I've done a used oil analysis and the results are posted somewhere around here. Good results.

It hasn't thrown a rod through whatever blah blah that someone else posted. I also don't baby this vehicle - I like the surge of power when the electric motors and engine are all working at the same time (the passing performance of this vehicle is exemplary).



I think I`ll just stay with 5W30.
grin.gif



Oh Good Lord, the obsessiveness. You know what, I'm going to drive down to Lehigh Valley, Pa, and swap 0w20 into your vehicle. The world will not end.
laugh.gif


**edit** well, actually the world might end in 2012, but your engine will still be running well
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: rcy
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: rcy
lexus114, as you know from over at the Lexus forums, I've been running Toyota 0w20 in my 400h for the past two winters. I DO plan to run it all year, but I had a couple jugs of 5w30 I had to use up over the last two summers. Now, I recently got some Pennzoil Ultra 5w20 on sale so I will probably use that next summer.

My experience running the 0w20 in the Lexus - nothing to report. Car runs the same - it might be a bit smoother at start up than with the 5w30. I've done a used oil analysis and the results are posted somewhere around here. Good results.

It hasn't thrown a rod through whatever blah blah that someone else posted. I also don't baby this vehicle - I like the surge of power when the electric motors and engine are all working at the same time (the passing performance of this vehicle is exemplary).



I think I`ll just stay with 5W30.
grin.gif



Oh Good Lord, the obsessiveness. You know what, I'm going to drive down to Lehigh Valley, Pa, and swap 0w20 into your vehicle. The world will not end.
laugh.gif


**edit** well, actually the world might end in 2012, but your engine will still be running well



Dont believe that 2012 stuff. All B/S
 
Originally Posted By: rcy
A lot of people that the world was coming to an end when vehicle manufacturers started spec'ing 5w20 for engines....it never happened...


1/2 truth phrased in a manner to achive what ?

If the OEM designed the engine as ?w20 then use it.

Just as the OEM specified the engine to use ?w30 why change when its perfectly acceptable to continue as originally recommended.

There is lots written that the same manufacturers specify thicker oils outside the USA for the identical vehicles, most of it seems lower weight oils in the USA are due to CAFE. These vehicles run perfectly on higher weight oils.

I don't like the hype that appears from time to time that thin is best, and the pressure that engine oils are too thick and need to lose weight.

I have tried all 5w30's, 5w40's, 10w30's 15w40's etc in the Holden 3800 V6 (Buick Engine) and have gone back to Mobil 5w50, which was the first oil I used in 1997 before the "Weight Watchers era".

I wish I had used my own instincts and not messed around because of hype of the gains I might have achieved in using thinner oils, so now I post to make other think before changing what is proven to work.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: rcy
A lot of people that the world was coming to an end when vehicle manufacturers started spec'ing 5w20 for engines....it never happened...



thumbsup2.gif
yeah I know right? btw, if your ever in the area, stop in.

Ryan
 
Originally Posted By: rcy
A lot of people that the world was coming to an end when vehicle manufacturers started spec'ing 5w20 for engines....it never happened...


It has had one of it's intended consequences, driving up service department revenue.
 
Originally Posted By: Jeff_in_VABch
Originally Posted By: rcy
A lot of people that the world was coming to an end when vehicle manufacturers started spec'ing 5w20 for engines....it never happened...


It has had one of it's intended consequences, driving up service department revenue.



How?
 
Originally Posted By: virginoil
Originally Posted By: rcy
A lot of people that the world was coming to an end when vehicle manufacturers started spec'ing 5w20 for engines....it never happened...


1/2 truth phrased in a manner to achive what ?



That sentence makes no sense, whatsoever.
______________

But, if you want it rephrased...

When 5w20 starting being recommended, there was much hand wringing that engines were going to self destruct or suffer excessive wear en masse. That never occurred.
 
Originally Posted By: Jeff_in_VABch
Originally Posted By: rcy
A lot of people that the world was coming to an end when vehicle manufacturers started spec'ing 5w20 for engines....it never happened...


It has had one of it's intended consequences, driving up service department revenue.




nonsense
 
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