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

[OVERKILL]

20W-20?

20W-20 was typically a monograde (SAE 20) with a decent enough base oil and PPD's to help it meet the 20W Winter grade requirements. HTHS would have been around 2.7-2.8cP which is probably on-par to what a 10W-30 would have ended up at after the VII's very quickly sheared, due to the quality of them during that time period.

This is part of the reason Mobil had no problem recommending Mobil 1 (which was a 5W-20) for applications that called for an xW-30 back then, because it would have held its viscosity considerably better than heavier multigrades of the period.

 

[wareze]

Castrol edge

 

[another_Bob]

My favorite 0w20 is Valvoline SynPower 5w40.

I have a 14 Subaru Forester and 22 Mitsubishi Outlander. Both are using Valvoline 0w 20. Can someone tell me the difference between Advanced with silver cap and Extended Protection with a brown cap?

 

[another_Bob]

Does anyone know the difference between Valvoline 0w20. Advanced silver cap and Extended Protection brown cap. I’ve written to Valvoline and they don’t reply?

 

[Blagoje]

Does anyone know the difference between Valvoline 0w20. Advanced silver cap and Extended Protection brown cap. I’ve written to Valvoline and they don’t reply?

EP has a substantially higher moly content, I know that for certain.

 

[buster]

Castrol edge

EDGE EP also meets MB-Approval 229.71.

 

[another_Bob]

EP has a substantially higher moly content, I know that for certain.

Is that a good thing?

 

[gasman556]

The only 0W-20 that doesn't shear at all, it is like changing your oil daily


View attachment 279489View attachment 279490View attachment 279491

Is this better than their premium plus pax flavor?

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

I defined the performance drop as engine was sluggish , engine did not run as “free” as while on 20 weight oil and throttle pep was missing.

Confirmation bias, got it. The variation in the energy content of gasoline will change the output of the engine far more than the difference of <4cSt viscosity at operating temperatures.

Gasoline will vary 3-4% even just from winter to summer gas, meaning a 400HP engine may vary ~12-16HP depending on fuel; in contrast, even a Subaru oil pump (some of the highest volume pumps around, certainly for the power density) take about 0.5-0.6HP to turn at full tilt.

That, combined with the fact that we know thicker oils cause less than 1% change in mileage in the real world… well, it’s highly doubtful if somebody changed your oil to thicker or thinner oils without you knowing that you’d ever be able to tell.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Confirmation bias, got it. The variation in the energy content of gasoline will change the output of the engine far more than the difference of <4cSt viscosity at operating temperatures.

Gasoline will vary 3-4% even just from winter to summer gas, meaning a 400HP engine may vary ~12-16HP depending on fuel; in contrast, even a Subaru oil pump (some of the highest volume pumps around, certainly for the power density) take about 0.5-0.6HP to turn at full tilt.

That, combined with the fact that we know thicker oils cause less than 1% change in mileage in the real world… well, it’s highly doubtful if somebody changed your oil to thicker or thinner oils without you knowing that you’d ever be able to tell.

I agree with Chris and others. I have noticed loss of response and sluggishness many times when attempting to move up a grade. This was mainly on small engines, light vehicles with MT. Never seen as an issue at highways speeds. Also noticed everyday driving performance loss on various Forester and Crosstrek with the newer FB engine series CVT and MT.
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p.s.: I did NOT notice sluggishness moving up from a 5W-20 on my last Ford 2.0 D.I NA engine. But the oil used was the very special QSFS 10W30 Shell blended for a short while. Why special? Superior base oil blend? Gokhans List favourite? IDK, how many 10W-30 report a -54 Pour Point? - Arco

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

I agree with Chris and others. Noticed loss of response and sluggishness many times when attempting to move up a grade. This was mainly on small engines, light vehicles with MT. Not an issue at highways speeds.

So you’re confirming confirmation bias?

 

[Glenda W.]

Since oil temperatures have much more effect on viscosity than what’s printed on the bottle I can confirm no sluggishness, or more peppiness going up a grade or two. Engines are not viscosity sensitive. They have to operate in a very wide oil temperature range. If not those in climate extremes would be in serious trouble.

 

[53' Stude]

If I was cheap I’d go with Super Texh 0w20 or Providence Synthetic 0w20

 

[ltslimjim]

EP has a substantially higher moly content, I know that for certain.

Is that a good thing?

I believe moly is considered one of the best additives for timing chain protection. On the other hand, lots of moly can lead to more engine deposits; especially over long drain intervals. Delicate balance.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

comment deleted

 

[Glenda W.]

Glenda! All along I thought you were a good witch!
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When I wash my broom it feels quicker…

 

[tired]

comment deleted

Glenda is a true gem of the forum!

 

[buster]

I agree with Chris and others. I have noticed loss of response and sluggishness many times when attempting to move up a grade. This was mainly on small engines, light vehicles with MT. Never seen as an issue at highways speeds. Also noticed everyday driving performance loss on various Forester and Crosstrek with the newer FB engine series CVT and MT.
________________________________________________

p.s.: I did NOT notice sluggishness moving up from a 5W-20 on my last Ford 2.0 D.I NA engine. But the oil used was the very special QSFS 10W30 Shell blended for a short while. Why special? Superior base oil blend? Gokhans List favourite? IDK, how many 10W-30 report a -54 Pour Point? - Arco

View attachment 283768

They still make it. There was just a revision in April. 5w30 is mostly GTL.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

They still make it. There was just a revision in April. 5w30 is mostly GTL.

IMO Same in name only.
I can't locate the PDS on the shell server, I know FS has changed and the newer version did not perform like the earlier iteration,

So, as T H E C A R S sang in the late 70's ...

It's an orangy sky
It's just a broken lullaby
Bye, bye love
Bye, bye love
Bye, bye love
Bye, bye love

 

[buster]

IMO Same in name only.
I can't locate the PDS on the shell server, I know FS has changed and the newer version did not perform like the earlier iteration,

So, as T H E C A R S sang in the late 70's ...

It's an orangy sky
It's just a broken lullaby
Bye, bye love
Bye, bye love
Bye, bye love
Bye, bye love

PDS stayed the same and was updated 04/2025. FYI> I check yesterday out of curiosity.