What makes the Ford, Honda and Chrysler 5-20 spec.

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Maybe her car is a 2001, but I think its older, its a Escort Z something, Ill have to ask her. I know it was one of the first times that I or anyone seen the 5w20 oil.
 
This might help some:

"Ford and Honda have actually established test limits for SAE 5W-20 engine oils that go beyond the requirements of API SL/ILSAC GF-3.

Ford requires either a double-length (160 hours) Sequence IIIF test or a double-length (128 hours) Sequence IIIE test with a maximum viscosity increase of 200%. The corresponding limits for the single- length tests are 275% maximum and 375% maximum, respectively. In addition, Ford's limit for high temperature deposits in the TEOST MHT-4 test is 30 mg maximum compared with 45 mg maximum allowed under API
SL/ILSAC GF-3.

Similarly, Honda also requires a double-length Sequence IIIF test or a double-length Sequence IIIE test, but the
viscosity limits are the same as the single-length tests. Obviously, meeting either of these requirements is very difficult. Again, higher quality base oils and/or significantly higher levels of antioxidant are required.
To meet the requirements for new Ford and Honda vehicles, 76
Lubricants Company (GC added, this is Conoco)has introduced (May 2001) a new viscosity grade,SAE 5W-20, to its product line of 76 Super Motor Oils. 76 Super 5W-20 exceeds the performance requirements for API SL/ILSAC GF-3 and meets
Ford and Honda's stricter test requirements described above. All other viscosity grades for 76 Super Motor Oil will be upgraded to ILSAC GF-3 and/or API SL by August 1, 2001."
 
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Kitto, I recommend you be careful slinging that statement around, many on this board will take offense to it.

Now, while the reasons for moving to a 20 weight oil are arguable, the one thing that is not, is their performance. the current SM rated 20 weight oils are doing a great job at providing protection for the engines that are speced for them.


Yes the 20 wt seems to be working very good ,,,but the 20 wt is cafe driven that is a fact. As is unleaded gas for epa which was a great move overall for engine life,as is different machine finishes and other things to holdup for the emission warranty etc. The car manufactures haven't spent big $$$ because they wanted to please their customers.
 
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My '97 Nissan Maxima's owner's manual states that 5w20 CAN be used, but is "not recommended for sustained high speed driving". Viscosities from 5w20 to 20w50 are recommended depending on ambient temps anticipated before next oil change.
10w* and 15w* are recommended from -4*F to +104*F. The 20w* are from +14*F to over +104*F.
The manual states "For warm and cold areas; 10w30 is preferable for ambient temperature above -20*C (-4*F). 5w30 will positively improve fuel economy. For hot areas; 20w40 and 20w50 are suitable."
This is kind of a large swing in recommended viscosities. Even living in Louisiana, I don't think I could get myself to pour 20w50 in my car. Nothing based on fact, just a mental thing.
Two things here are interesting. Nissan "approved" 5w20 for use in their engine (the VQ30) atleast back to '97. I didn't think 5w20 has been around that long. The second is that they say it is not suitable for sustained high speed driving. I understand that this is just for this engine,so it may not apply to all others, but it raises some questions in my mind. I honestly don't know what happens to thinner oils during high speed driving, but would guess they could have an issue with heat.
I am under the impression that the *w20 oils are primarily CAFE driven. With the advancements in oil technology, they may even give acceptable engine life for most people. But could these same engines last longer if using a slightly thicker oil? Any mileage improvements from using a thinner oil won't even be noticed by the average consumer, because the increase would be so slight to be lost in the "noise" of mileage variations from tank to tank. But to a large company producing hundreds of thousands of vehicles, it would add up for their number game. As for engine longevity, modern engines can outlast their owner's willingness to keep the car they're in. So actual protection becomes a secondary priority.

Dave
 
Quote:


My '97 Nissan Maxima's owner's manual states that 5w20 CAN be used, but is "not recommended for sustained high speed driving". Viscosities from 5w20 to 20w50 are recommended depending on ambient temps anticipated before next oil change.
10w* and 15w* are recommended from -4*F to +104*F. The 20w* are from +14*F to over +104*F.
The manual states "For warm and cold areas; 10w30 is preferable for ambient temperature above -20*C (-4*F). 5w30 will positively improve fuel economy. For hot areas; 20w40 and 20w50 are suitable."
This is kind of a large swing in recommended viscosities. Even living in Louisiana, I don't think I could get myself to pour 20w50 in my car. Nothing based on fact, just a mental thing.
Two things here are interesting. Nissan "approved" 5w20 for use in their engine (the VQ30) atleast back to '97. I didn't think 5w20 has been around that long. The second is that they say it is not suitable for sustained high speed driving. I understand that this is just for this engine,so it may not apply to all others, but it raises some questions in my mind. I honestly don't know what happens to thinner oils during high speed driving, but would guess they could have an issue with heat.
I am under the impression that the *w20 oils are primarily CAFE driven. With the advancements in oil technology, they may even give acceptable engine life for most people. But could these same engines last longer if using a slightly thicker oil? Any mileage improvements from using a thinner oil won't even be noticed by the average consumer, because the increase would be so slight to be lost in the "noise" of mileage variations from tank to tank. But to a large company producing hundreds of thousands of vehicles, it would add up for their number game. As for engine longevity, modern engines can outlast their owner's willingness to keep the car they're in. So actual protection becomes a secondary priority.

Dave




Just a thought, but maybe back in 1997 the engineers that design engines didn't have enough long-term evidence that Xw20 oils perform just as well as a Xw30 oil. What does Nissan now recommend for the Maxima?
 
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