5-20 weight oil - what do do with it

[bp fick]

55K on my truck so far with 5w-20 Motorcraft. Not much, but like it so far.
I'd rather have quick flow than anything. Also, want a synthetic blend minimum. Sometimes, if the price is right, it gets the full synthetic. That I let go to 6000-7000 miles to justify the cost. 4000 on the blend.

Wouldn't have much use for 5w-20 straight dino, but I'd likely use in conjunction with equal parts 10w-30 in my wife's car.

 

[dodge man]

Just about all Chrysler and Dodge Hemi's spec a 5w20 oil also. You pretty much HAVE to use it also or the lifters don't work correctly when it switches from 8 cylinders to 4.

I sort of agree, it is being specd in part to get that last 0.1 mpg better, but I agree with Diamond Pilot, engines are so much better as far as wear goes, that they run fine on it.

 

[zmoz]

5w20 is fine for ANY gas engine.

I have seen a LOT of bad oil recommendations in my life, but that has to be one of the worst. 5w20 is fine for any engine SPEC'D for it. Not other engines! Especially not diesel engines, small engines, tractor engines, old American V8 engines, etc. To say "ANY" engine is outright stupid.

 

[crashz]

The story as I remember it is that Honda and Ford had worked in conjunction with Connoco Phillips and the API to develop a lighter weight oil that worked better in their high shear engines (Honda's VVT and Ford OHC V8 Mod motors, which both destroyed the old 5w-30 formulations), and just flat out built a better oil that does not shear as easily, and stands up to the high upper end wear. The oils had some of the most robust additive packages and shear stable semi-synthetic base oils used. Now most of the other specs oils have shared the new formulations based upon the 5w-20.

I wouldn't be afraid of using a quart or two in any gas engine with each oil change, especially now as its getting colder. The actual dynamic viscosities are very close to a 5w-30 weight, and they maintain the viscosity better than cheaper conventional 5w-30 during its life cycle.

 

[Bedlam]

Use it for the oil can to oil stuff

 

[RalphVa]

I stand by my recommendation that 5w20 will work in ANY gas engine. I worked in the lube oil industry for 31 years. Go fly a kite.

Ralph

 

[edge08]

My girlfriends' 2000 honda civic uses 5w-20 oil and while I've never changed my 2003 V6 ranger oil because I bought it new and have "oil changes for life" on that vehicle, I saw on the oil cover it also uses 5w-20. My previous 92 ranger used 10W-30.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I stand by my recommendation that 5w20 will work in ANY gas engine. I worked in the lube oil industry for 31 years. Go fly a kite.

Ralph

Then you know there are some critical issues with the load bearing capability of the hydrodynamic wedge formed in the rod bearings at low rpm with a lo viscosity oil. Factor in the standard looser oil clearance of the older engine along with some wear and you get an engine that must be treated just right or the bearings will scuff.
larry

 

[sw03]

Then you know there are some critical issues with the load bearing capability of the hydrodynamic wedge formed in the rod bearings at low rpm with a lo viscosity oil. Factor in the standard looser oil clearance of the older engine along with some wear and you get an engine that must be treated just right or the bearings will scuff.
larry

I agree with Ralph here but I use 0w-20 in all my engines if I can. And that is only for like 15 years.

 

[zmoz]

I stand by my recommendation that 5w20 will work in ANY gas engine. I worked in the lube oil industry for 31 years. Go fly a kite.

Ralph

Sure it will "work". A bucket of lard will "work". The question is how well? If the engine isn't designed for it, then the answer is "not well at all". Go ahead and do a used oil analysis on 5w20 from an engine not designed for it, that's all the proof you need to see it is the wrong choice.

PS - my Dad thinks he's an expert painter because he used to work at a paint store. He started out as a cashier and went to management. He's the worst painter I know. His job never actually required him to know anything about paint.