Why is not all engine oil a 0W?

[sr17]

This may be a dumb question

I have been reading the "oil 101" posted on this site and have found it very informative and written in a way that even I can understand most of it.

The author says that basically all oils, including 0W is too thick at start up, and this is what makes me ask the question.

If 0W is already too thick, why does Honda not prescribe 0W20 for my car, and GM 0W30 for my van?

 

[hate2work]

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/why-would-you-not-use-0w-xx.146809/

 

[brentalan]

Almost all 0W oils are synthetic and therefore more expensive.

They are also harder to find in stores.

They also can be more likely to shear.

For these reasons manufacturers usually recommend a 5W, however, most cases a 0W can be used instead.

 

[Joseph_S37]

0W oils are synthetic oils, you can't get a 0W conventional. If a car manufacturer requires 0W oils, they are recommending synthetic. This in turn, makes the vehicle look expensive to maintain, which people don't like.

Also, 0W oils aren't too easy to find, as compared to say, 5W oils. Having only this option to keep your warrantie would be very inconvenient for the majority of people.

Lastly, the cold weather start up benefits of a 0W oil aren't too noticeable until the weather drops into the really cold temperatures. 5W oils are enough for most cars in most climates. Even where I live, it's been about -30 celcius with wind chill, and my vehicle starts fine on 5w30. Although I would love to throw 0w30 in there, it's just not necessary.

 

[Joseph_S37]

Ps holy brentalan, we think alike... That was weird

 

[rclint]

I think they have come out with some semi-synthetic 0w oils now, however your still looking at more expense. It boils down to the previous poster, money makes the world go round... manufactures want to make a low/very low maintenance vehicle, combine that with the fact that the majority (majority meaning possible 95% or more) can never reach the point of return on the added cost based on even the lowest temp of the year.

I agree I would be running 0w in my engine if it were feasible, but the fact is unless I catch it on sale etc I just can't bring myself to pay anything extra for a 0w oil when a 5w is well within the constrains of my local weather yes I live in the south, but it's still pretty well the same for most of North America until you start getting into them Canadian places and above, but still a 5w would serve most of them the exact same until the extreme north is reached.

Don't tell anyone this cause a 10w is a horrible thing, however a 10w would probably sever 80% of North America as well as the ever so standard 5w.. now that would be something a 10w-20