0W-20 vs 5W-30

[Elusive23]

Whats up DE5/FL5 owners.

Ive been reading and researching alot about which oil to use. I just hit 1800 miles and decided to change out my oil with Amsoil Signature 5W-30 for what I initially thought was just a better choice for that “added protection”.

Apparently there are minor downsides such as lower fuel mileage etc.

I live in the Bay Area in California and I dont track my car. Mostly spirited pulls, canyon/mountain roads on the weekends.

Would love to hear some feedback from the pros and enthusiasts if for my case maybe it makes more sense to switch back to 0W-20 and whatever other feedback you folks might have.

Thanks!

Sponsored

 

[ashmostro]

For your weather the 5w-30 is perfect. The mileage difference will be negligible while the thicker high temp spec may provide more protection on hot summer days. You can run it year round in the Bay area.

 

[Pied]

I use 5w-30, also in bay area.

Imo 20 oil is too thin. Anecdotal story: I used 5w-30 in my 2010 Genesis coupe that said to use 20. I put 80k miles on that car with no issues.

 

[Elusive23]

Good to hear from my Bay Area peeps! I noticed that engine noise is quieter as well.

 

[Two Step Performance]

We use 5W-30 year-round in a warm weather climate. 260+ dyno pulls, 575whp, no issues.

 

[Spart]

The only reason 5W-30 isn't listed as an option in the US owners manual is CAFE, it's given as an option in the UK CTR owner's manual:

0W-30 is also listed and you'll note that the UK owners manual says not to use 5W-30 if the ambient temperature drops below -30°C, which is -22°F.

We usually get -20's for a brief spell every year around here, so I run a 0W-40 that thins down to something resembling a thick 0W-30 after it's been used a while. Doesn't hurt the car in the slightest.

 

[Elusive23]

The only reason 5W-30 isn't listed as an option in the US owners manual is CAFE, it's given as an option in the UK CTR owner's manual:

0W-30 is also listed and you'll note that the UK owners manual says not to use 5W-30 if the ambient temperature drops below -30°C, which is -22°F.

We usually get -20's for a brief spell every year around here, so I run a 0W-40 that thins down to something resembling a thick 0W-30 after it's been used a while. Doesn't hurt the car in the slightest.

Thanks for this!

 

[ashmostro]

0W-30 is also listed and you'll note that the UK owners manual says not to use 5W-30 if the ambient temperature drops below -30°C, which is -22°F.

We usually get -20's for a brief spell every year around here, so I run a 0W-40 that thins down to something resembling a thick 0W-30 after it's been used a while. Doesn't hurt the car in the slightest.

agreed! I am actually running a 0W-30 oil myself.

 

[ITSandMR2]

I personally feel all of these manufacturer's are using thinner and thinner oils only to boost their fuel economy numbers over better wear protection. Toyota now has a 0W8 incase anyone did not know which is just ridiculous. I switched to 5W30 at my first oil change on the teggie.

 

[Spart]

I personally feel all of these manufacturer's are using thinner and thinner oils only to boost their fuel economy numbers over better wear protection. Toyota now has a 0W8 incase anyone did not know which is just ridiculous. I switched to 5W30 at my first oil change on the teggie.

Be aware that the first number isn't the boogeyman here. It's an indicator of cold weather performance.

All else equal, a 0W-40 should have better cold start protection in sub-zero temps than a 10W-30, while also having higher viscosity at operating temps than 10W-30.

I don't know what part of Pennsylvania you're from, but you might want to look at 0W-30 instead.

 

[ashmostro]

To be fair I think he was reacting to the '8' weight, which is extremely thin indeed.

 

[Spart]

To be fair I think he was reacting to the '8' weight, which is extremely thin indeed.

Yeah but a surprising number of folks see the leading 0 and get put off, without consideration to the number that comes immediately after, and Pennsylvania's climate can be pretty rough up north.

 

[ITSandMR2]

Lived here all my life pretty much (south central PA) and couldn't tell you the last time we have seen -20 degree weather. In this neck of the woods we have run 5W30 for ages and it has never been an issue. I've worked at a car dealership for over 25 years where we have also used 5W30 all of this time as well. I appreciate the recommendation but I will be sticking with 5W30 for sure.

 

[Spart]

Lived here all my life pretty much (south central PA) and couldn't tell you the last time we have seen -20 degree weather. In this neck of the woods we have run 5W30 for ages and it has never been an issue. I've worked at a car dealership for over 25 years where we have also used 5W30 all of this time as well. I appreciate the recommendation but I will be sticking with 5W30 for sure.

Where you are at, 5W30 will be just fine as long as you don't take any road trips up north in the winter.

I will say that I'm old enough to remember people talking about 10W-30 in this exact same manner. Nobody talks like that anymore, at least nobody worth taking seriously.

The logical thing is to use the best viscosity for the ambient temps, use case, and specific engine. Plenty of modern engines will call for a 0W-40, 5W-40, or 5W-50.

If the manufacturer - whose motivations are driven by CAFE fines as much as anything - is telling you to run something thicker than 5W-30, you need to listen. Not an issue in these cars (unless tracked and that's a whole other can of worms) but this right here is why I don't let dealerships EVER change my oil:

I've worked at a car dealership for over 25 years where we have also used 5W30 all of this time as well.

Plenty of horror stories in the GT350 community of dealerships doing similar shenanigans. Car calls for 5W-50 and they don't have it, so they put 5W-20 in. Even worse sometimes, the lube tech has the capacity for the 5.0 memorized, and puts 8 quarts in when the car needs 10.

 

[jedi03]

5w30 is only good down to -30c...lol, actually my uncle recommends putting 10w30 in everything ...my 12 odyssey also calls for 0w30 and its about 120k miles currently, been doing amsoil for last 50k

Sponsored