0w30 vs 5w20

[MrWhippy]

Well, regarding the "Lower is better" for the first number, that's not totally true. In my air cooled engines (Generators, motorcycles, UTVs etc) they generally want a single grade oil (usually 30). I called a Honda once about this and asked why SAE30 was better than 0W30 or 5W30 and they told me, the Honda air cooled engine will consume multigrade oil MUCH faster than single grade oil. We do not recommend multigrade oil unless you are operating in equipment in low (under 30F) conditions.

 

[Soundguy]

that's pretty common to see a different reccomendation based on condition and temperature.

 

[clemsonfor]

Polaris did use 0W-40 Synthetic oil in their off-roads vehicles for many years. It was only about 2010 that PS4 2W-50 came out and now they have PS4 PLUS. Btw - Polaris does not make oil, the bid that out. A company called Lubetech, a contract oil suppler who specializes in providing oil with OEM brand name on the bottle. My nephew works for a company that is a major Polaris supplier of hard parts (engine related).

u run a 50weight oil in everything! You dont worry its to thick to flow all places it needs to be when hot do you?

I have a question. I once built high performance engines but oil at the time was not what it is today by any sense of the imagination and these engines used straight weight only so my expertise as far as oils is concerned is limited. My question has to do with "oil tack". There is a constant oil film on mechanically oil soaked engine parts. This film goes a long way in protecting the engine at initial start up. My question is: Do the lower weight oils provide the same "film" protection as the old 10-30,10-40 standards? Or does their inherent thinness create a faster dissipation of this film? It is my understanding that while lower weight oils can be run better on closer tolerance built motors, their main thrust was reduced friction for car makers to achieve better gas mileage. Makes me wonder if we are robbing Peter to pay Paul

i have 5w-30 weight vehcles that run easy 200k? so im not sure its hurting

 

[Soundguy]

is that 50w C rated?

 

[arrow]

u run a 50weight oil in everything! You dont worry its to thick to flow all places it needs to be when hot do you?
i have 5w-30 weight vehcles that run easy 200k? so im not sure its hurting

I think much depends on how much one uses their vehicles so mileage may not be a correct indicator. Mileage will not hurt an engine as much as dry friction starts and one has more of a chance of that if they are not using their vehicles more than once or twice per week and driving short miles when they do use it. My original question is based in ignorance as most all my questions are if not rhetorical.

 

[aczlan]

My question has to do with "oil tack". There is a constant oil film on mechanically oil soaked engine parts. This film goes a long way in protecting the engine at initial start up. My question is: Do the lower weight oils provide the same "film" protection as the old 10-30,10-40 standards? Or does their inherent thinness create a faster dissipation of this film?

As I understand it, synthetic oil leaves a better "oil film" in the engine than conventional oils do. I know that switching from a 10W-30 conventional oil to 10W-30 Mobil 1 cut a couple of seconds off of the valvetrain clatter on startup on my 1997 Volvo V90.

Aaron Z

 

[PoorMansCat]

Actually, PS4 is a 2W50, that is what Polaris claims it to be anyway.

Wow... went out and looked at all my bottles and they all say 0W40 except for the newest one, it says 2W50... I hadnt noticed...

 

[WilliamBos]

Wow... went out and looked at all my bottles and they all say 0W40 except for the newest one, it says 2W50... I hadnt noticed...

I am running a good 0W40 synthetic. Noticed the 2W50 when I was going through my manual. I change every 50 hours anyway.

 

[Z71]

but for how long will it stay a 50, not long at all.....

 

[WilliamBos]

but for how long will it stay a 50, not long at all.....

Thanks for that. Going to start runnung RP 0W40 on my next change.