What's everyone's favorite 0w-20 these days?

Does that work with heavy fuel dilution motors too? A friend wants to know. (that owns a 2.4T subaru)

I have an email from Subaru that I posted over at Subaruoutback.org in which a corporate representative from Subaru very clearly states that 0w30 is permitted for usage in the 2.4L TGDI engine.

For that specific engine I would recommend using Mobil 1 ESP 0w30 or a 0w30 from HPL (yes their products are exceptionally good and worth the price).
 
if you could share that thread or your username over there???...I am a member there and couldn't find any threads using your username here over there...

Thanks,

Bill
 
None, will never use it, and have never bought it, even if it is for warranty. 5w-30 and above. How can one step up CAFE standard oil make any engine differences when other countries can use as high as 5w-40 in the same world car. I will take my chances.
Here's a thought experiment:

How do we know that they're not using higher weight oils in those other countries because their consumers are equally ignorant as ours here and they demand Xw-40 oils, even though Xw-20 oils are actually best?

We're making the assumptions that in other countries, the oil weights are made rationally and based on sound engineering, and ours are made due to CAFE. There's no proof of that, and it could be just as likely (more so, IMO) that the consumers there won't or can't use 0w-20 for whatever reason, so they just spec other oils that are more available, cheaper, or widely preferred (without scientific evidence).
 
Here's a thought experiment:

How do we know that they're not using higher weight oils in those other countries because their consumers are equally ignorant as ours here and they demand Xw-40 oils, even though Xw-20 oils are actually best?

We're making the assumptions that in other countries, the oil weights are made rationally and based on sound engineering, and ours are made due to CAFE. There's no proof of that, and it could be just as likely (more so, IMO) that the consumers there won't or can't use 0w-20 for whatever reason, so they just spec other oils that are more available, cheaper, or widely preferred (without scientific evidence).
Historically, manuals have shown a range of appropriate viscosities based on anticipated ambient conditions. CAFE eliminated that in North America, because only the grade used for CAFE testing is permitted to be shown on the cap and in the manual. We saw some OEM's ignore that for certain high performance applications, like GM spec'ing 5W-30 for the Corvette, 15W-50 on the track (which has now been replaced by a universal recommendation of 0W-40).

Wide spreads, like 0W-40, have reduced the need for a large variety of choices.

We've also witnessed OEM's pull back from the 5W-20/0W-20 recommendations in certain applications, like Ford has with the Coyote, which now spec's 5W-30.

I'm quite confident that if we didn't have CAFE, viscosity recommendations would still be all over the map, like was previously the case, before CAFE locked that down to whatever was used for testing.
 
Here's a thought experiment:

How do we know that they're not using higher weight oils in those other countries because their consumers are equally ignorant as ours here and they demand Xw-40 oils, even though Xw-20 oils are actually best?

We're making the assumptions that in other countries, the oil weights are made rationally and based on sound engineering, and ours are made due to CAFE. There's no proof of that, and it could be just as likely (more so, IMO) that the consumers there won't or can't use 0w-20 for whatever reason, so they just spec other oils that are more available, cheaper, or widely preferred (without scientific evidence).
Consumers here are ignorant for wanting a higher HT/HS oil to help reduce wear and mitigate the detrimental effects from fuel dilution?

Also there’s every proof CAFE dictates what’s in the owner’s manual. Just look at the requirements for what must published and promoted by the manufacturer in their literature. They are required to aggressively and proactively discourage the use of any grade that was not used for fuel economy testing. Read any of the EPA letters I’ve posted here.

Here’s a thought experiment for you: Think about what oil does in an engine and apply basic physics to the argument rather than disconnected and rather nonsensical reasoning.
 
I've not been here in a few years and had a stockpile of good ol PP 0w-20, which has run out. So now I haven't caught up on the latest standards and what's good these days. Any suggestions for a good 0w-20 available at normal retailers or amz (not boutique expensive stuff).

[edit: also my car calls for 5w-20 but has 88k now, should I try something a little thicker like 0w-30?]

cheers!

None. I wouldn't buy 0W20 unless it was literally the only viscosity available.
 
I've been here to learn how to make my cars and engines last as long as is reasonably possible. Because of all I've learned here, I would never use a 0/5-20 oil,so I can't post which is my favorite as the OP asked. Their are a few knowledgeable members here who have taught me the value of HTHS, so I personally won't select anything less than an HTHS less than 3.5. So for me the 20 grades are out and right now I'm favoring M 1 ESP 0/5W-30. Thanks to the posts of those who really know how to teach. I also look for things like API SP or SQ.
 
Consumers here are ignorant for wanting a higher HT/HS oil to help reduce wear and mitigate the detrimental effects from fuel dilution?

Also there’s every proof CAFE dictates what’s in the owner’s manual. Just look at the requirements for what must published and promoted by the manufacturer in their literature. They are required to aggressively and proactively discourage the use of any grade that was not used for fuel economy testing. Read any of the EPA letters I’ve posted here.

Here’s a thought experiment for you: Think about what oil does in an engine and apply basic physics to the argument rather than disconnected and rather nonsensical reasoning.
Sure, we could reason on the facts, but why do that when we can create a hypothetical narrative and gaslight ourselves? 🥷
 
No issues running my 2018 for 105k and pretty hard miles to boot on 0w20. Valvoline for the 1st 85k. No oil usage, no valve train noise and overall still like new. It’s been Schaeffer and RP since my $1.92 a quart maxlife syn stash ran out.
 
Consumers here are ignorant for wanting a higher HT/HS oil to help reduce wear and mitigate the detrimental effects from fuel dilution?

Also there’s every proof CAFE dictates what’s in the owner’s manual. Just look at the requirements for what must published and promoted by the manufacturer in their literature. They are required to aggressively and proactively discourage the use of any grade that was not used for fuel economy testing. Read any of the EPA letters I’ve posted here.

Here’s a thought experiment for you: Think about what oil does in an engine and apply basic physics to the argument rather than disconnected and rather nonsensical reasoning.
You seem awfully defensive.

Anyway all I'm saying is that we're making an assumption, and that assumption is that other weights are listed in the owners manuals elsewhere because CAFE doesn't allow higher weights.

That's not a valid assumption - it could just as easily be because 0w-20 isn't available or trusted elsewhere. That doesn't mean it's better.

Its as dumb as thinking Mexico using lots of bottled water means bottled water is better. In fact it means they can't manage a sanitary water system.
 
My mechanic told me to use Red Line. He is very honest, I trust him.

View attachment 277224
That is my go to, but honorable mention to any boutique oil with a higher hths 0w20 also

Screenshot_20231125_182122_Drive.webp


Screenshot_20231125_182204_Drive.webp
 
You seem awfully defensive.

Anyway all I'm saying is that we're making an assumption, and that assumption is that other weights are listed in the owners manuals elsewhere because CAFE doesn't allow higher weights.

That's not a valid assumption - it could just as easily be because 0w-20 isn't available or trusted elsewhere. That doesn't mean it's better.

Its as dumb as thinking Mexico using lots of bottled water means bottled water is better. In fact it means they can't manage a sanitary water system.
Hmm, why wouldn’t 20 grade oils be “trusted elsewhere”? Is it just they’re paranoid? Is everyone here just paranoid? Or, could it be the rest of the world knows SAE 20 is on the line of too thin and they aren’t interested in fuel savings to the extent that it has been mandated to go as thin as possible?

It’s as if thicker wasn’t the go to everywhere in the world; especially hotter climates, until CAFE changed in the US.

That is what changed, not the rest of the world thickening up.

The US market is saturated with 20 grade oils because it has been the focal point of regulatory agencies to reduce fuel usage / improve fuel economy as much as possible for over 2 decades. That comes with the natural side effect of sacrificing some degree of wear protection; for some parts of the engine, in some engines and conditions seen.

We know the line of too thin; without specially made engines to allow for thinner than SAE 20, is SAE 20. 2.5-2.6 HTHS. Why does the rest of the world not care to run at the limit of wear protection? The story is straightforward and with all due respect you’re overthinking this.

The need for improved “winter” ratings is the only thinner at a given temp that came about as a need to improve wear rates at cold start / warmup in cold climates.

Now, SAE 20 can be sufficient for many daily drivers. Thousands of engines do prove that. However, some engines later spec a thicker oil even in the states. That’s what drives these conversations. Where else in the world are car manufacturers having to change their specs to thicker oil after the fact or under certain conditions because the “recommended” oil is too thin and they don’t show the flexible range of acceptable oils like owners manuals in other countries? The answer is staring you in the face. Mexico’s bottled water? Huh? Let’s stick to lubrication and the relevant facts please. US isn’t always the best at everything. In fact, they aren’t. lol. We’re the outlier here. It reminds me of this image.
IMG_8235.webp


We are different and understanding the 50,000 foot view will help give some perspective. The US decided on a preference and focal point and mandated it. That’s it. It comes with inherent questions and risks. Those are all valid and continue to be to this day.
 
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