I use mobile super conventional and ended up buying 5w-20 instead of 0w-20. I coulda sworn Ive been using 5w-20 but the book says that warm weather calls for 0w-20 (i live in florida). Does it matter or should I go exchange the oil I got for some 0w-20?
stonemxfan369
I use 5w-20 in Texas. The difference is the cold viscosity. Once it is warm, there's no difference.
The difference is in the cold viscosity. So a person who lives in colder climate (like me) will benefit from 0w-20. I use Mobile1 0w-20 and this past winter, I was glad that I had it.
oily
I would go to the 0w-20 ONLY because that is what is recommended. I do not believe you've damaged anything or shortened your engine life. Owners Manual says 0W-20 unless you can't find it, but the manual also says that it's okay to switch to 5w-20 but to change back to 0w-20 at the next oil change. The manual seems to indicate that the primary benefit of using 0w-20 is increased gas mileage so I think the main issue MAY BE that you might lose a mpg or two (I doubt it). I don't believe that you're going to hurt your motor by running 5w-20 especially in warmer climates.
Now JUST for the sake of speculation, I wonder if the thicker oil may make it harder on the internal parts during initial start-up. That would be the only thing I could think of that may make a difference with thicker viscosity but that may only occur in a very high performance application. I heard many years ago that running thick viscosity oil had been known to cause plain-type bearings to spin in their castings but that may be a myth and who knows what application that may have been (dragster maybe). Just a thought
I would go to the 0w-20 ONLY because that is what is recommended. I do not believe you've damaged anything or shortened your engine life. Owners Manual says 0W-20 unless you can't find it, but the manual also says that it's okay to switch to 5w-20 but to change back to 0w-20 at the next oil change. The manual seems to indicate that the primary benefit of using 0w-20 is increased gas mileage so I think the main issue MAY BE that you might lose a mpg or two (I doubt it). I don't believe that you're going to hurt your motor by running 5w-20 especially in warmer climates.
Now JUST for the sake of speculation, I wonder if the thicker oil may make it harder on the internal parts during initial start-up. That would be the only thing I could think of that may make a difference with thicker viscosity but that may only occur in a very high performance application. I heard many years ago that running thick viscosity oil had been known to cause plain-type bearings to spin in their castings but that may be a myth and who knows what application that may have been (dragster maybe). Just a thought
Using Amsoil 5w-30 here, Arizona heat and don't want to wear out the engine over long period of time..
5w20 is not thicker than 0w20.
20 is the viscosity at operating temp. Both oils are identical.
The 0 and 5 are indicative of the low temps that the oil still flows optimally at cold start up. To put it simply.
The lower the first number, the better it is for cold weather.
But, not Florida cold weather. Cold weather as in, freezing and sub-freezing cold weather.
So, in a place like Florida, both oils are going to be essentially identical.
Both at start up and operating temp.
20 is the viscosity at operating temp. Both oils are identical.
The 0 and 5 are indicative of the low temps that the oil still flows optimally at cold start up. To put it simply.
The lower the first number, the better it is for cold weather.
But, not Florida cold weather. Cold weather as in, freezing and sub-freezing cold weather.
So, in a place like Florida, both oils are going to be essentially identical.
Both at start up and operating temp.
I would go with 0w20 as stated with oem. Mainly due to the vvti system which is sensitive about different weights.
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I have been using 5w30 for 160k of my 220k miles that I have and still running strong!
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I'm pretty sure it doesn't say that.
They're not different weights.
They are multigrade oils. The viscosity changes with the temp.
Both oils are rated as a 20 weight oil at operating temp.
At start up temps, 5w will pump down to -30*C.
0w will pump down to -35*C.
It will never be -30*C in Florida.
The "w" after the first number does not stand for "weight". It's the cold weather rating of the oil and related to the first number.
The more important number is the oil's operating temp viscosity.
Both are 20.
Unless he plans on doing an Antarctic expedition with his truck, he doesn't have to be concerned with the 0 or 5. As long as it's a 20.
Also, you guys obviously have a computer and internet access. There's no reason to not know this stuff in this day/age. There's no reason to make assumptions or base decisions on myths and forum opinions. All the info is a button click and 15 min of reading away.
The difference between the two oils is minor and solely related to the manufacturer trying to squeeze an extra 0.1 mpg when figuring out the EPA mileage rating. The kinetic viscosity on the attached links is what is important. Most vehicle engines have been designed to work at a kinematic viscosity around 10 at 100C. 0wXX weight oils drop the viscosity down at 100C (212F) to improve gas mileage.
Mobil 1 0W-20 Advanced Fuel Economy
Mobil 1? 5W-20
Mobil 1 0W-20 Advanced Fuel Economy
Mobil 1? 5W-20
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