Will I see >mpg changing from 5w-30 GTX to 5w-20M1

[06RANGER]

There was supposedly a TSB issued suggesting 5w-20 in my 07 Yaris LB as opposed to the 5w-30 listed in the owner's manual.

If I change, and go synthetic M1 or PP will I see an increase in mpg?

 

[buster]

Maybe a slight increase, but nothing significant IMO. 1-2 mpg at most.

 

[greenaccord02]

I'd go PP 5W-20. You probably won't see any increase in MPG, but I'd do it anyway. M1 is a great product as well, I just prefer PP.

 

[Mr Nice]

Probably not, but its worth a try considering gas is soo expensive.

 

[06RANGER]

Originally Posted By: buster
Maybe a slight increase, but nothing significant IMO. 1-2 mpg at most.


I'd be thrilled with a 2 mpg increase

 

[Eddie]

I think there will be more variability from tank to tank than a real change in mileage.

 

[buster]

Originally Posted By: Eddie
I think there will be more variability from tank to tank than a real change in mileage.


I've noticed that before. Several times.

 

[coffee]

Probably be even more economical to go Pennzoil YB 5w20. It is a great oil.

 

[Smokescreen]

I went the other way, from 5w20 to 5w30 and experienced no mpg loss at all.

 

[sunfire]

I usually go from full till the gas light is on. But didn't notice any MPG improvement with PP 5W-20 in my 05 Corolla 1ZZFE switching from PP 10W-30.

But the engine feels more responsive in the low end with 5W-20.

 

[ZZman]

Not really. Car manufactures were looking at 10ths of a mile increase in mileage when switching to 20w. So you would be lucky to see even 1 mpg increase.

 

[Quest]

Consider the money you save by altering your driving behaviour, which would be more than just by merely switching over from 5W30 to 5W20.

In my case with my Honda fit 07, I was able to achieve about 46miles/gal while coasting down I5 with care (absolutly no hypermiling involved, just sensible driving while in gear).

Q.

 

[Eddie]

In addition; the manufactures tests were under strict control so variables like personal driving variabilities are eliminated. BOY was that a bad run-on sentence but, too tired to change it. Ed

 

[Gary Allan]

The most impact in a change in viscosity will be loosely related to how long and how much the viscosity is "most different". Viscosity converges as they approach operating temperature. The longer you're at full operating temp, the more insignificant a difference in viscosity will impact your fuel economy. The more limited the time (if you actually reach it) that you're at operating temp, the more likely differences in one grade to another may impact your fuel economy. The "difference" between one specific oil's viscosity and another at 100C is 8.5-10X as much @ 100F ..and the spread continues along that for a good bit down the temp scale.

Effectively:

Bill in Utah - below his noise threshold
10 mile one way commuter - maybe
5 mile commuter - probably

 

[Audi Junkie]

I got a nioce mpg bump goinf from Saab Synth 0w-30 (A5) to Havoline DS 5w-20. I have yet to determine the numbers, but it is up a good bit.

 

[Pesca]

As Gary said, if you do short trips, you may see a difference, otherwise it may be insignificant.

You want to improve your fuel mileage?
- Increase your tire pressure to the max your tires are rated for (max psi on the tire wall not on your car). As contrary as said by others, the thread wear is not affected, your ride comfort could be, you have to try to know for your car (for mine, that is ok, not for my wife's).
- On highway, drive slower (about the speed limit). Each increase in speed will decrease your fuel mileage.
- Anticipate more what is in front of you. On your commute, you should now if lights are synchronized or not, if you have to rush to get the next green light or if you gonna have always the red. Cruise to stops, off gas as soon as you see the light turns amber, take some margins with the car in front of you. Drive as you don't have brake anymore.

All that are hypermiling methods that work great and are not dangerous at all. With that, I move from a commute of about 29.4mpg (which better than ETA) to as low as 34.6. Don't think an oil change can give you this improvement.

 

[meep]

Gary's comments above are actually a great launch point for a couple of syn-benefit guidelines.

i.e., syns help most in cases where driving where more time is spent below optimal temps. FACTORS:
1. ambient temps
2. shorter trips
3. block materials (iron has longer warmup than Al.

That should almost be an FAQ or sticky.

M

 

[06RANGER]

The greater majority of my trips are shorter than 6 miles, e.g, work, grocery, etc ...

 

[Steve S]

Ford motor companys papers talk a tenth or so mpgs between 20 wt and 30wts so multiplied by millions of cars adds up to savings. You will never see a payback from the difference in the price of the oil/change unless the oil change intervals are greatly increased.

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
Ford motor companys papers talk a tenth or so mpgs between 20 wt and 30wts so multiplied by millions of cars adds up to savings. You will never see a payback from the difference in the price of the oil/change unless the oil change intervals are greatly increased.


That assumes that everyone drives according to the EPA economy cycle.

Again, long range commuter? Hardly noticeable from ONLY viscosity.

10 mile commuter? Maybe

5 mile commuter? Probably.

YMMV

Much depends on the warm up penalty that you pay with your setup. Some cars it's nill ..others it's substantial.