0W-20 vs 5W-20 - Can we run both?

[Texas_Ranger]

Here's the comparison of the oil I was wanting to try next. This stuff shows to be a great oil. The first link is the 0W-20 and the second is the same oil in 5w-20. I understand that this is trivial and not spending the green for the health of the car can be seen as controversial but this was just a question on why the prices vary on weight.

https://www.amazon.com/Pennzoil-550045193-Ultra-Platinum-Synthetic/dp/B01M4KQR8U/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2EZC9GP5C77BL&keywords=pennzoil+ultra+platinum+0w-20&qid=1563489217&s=gateway&sprefix=ultra+platinum+0w-20%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Pennzoil-550045202-Ultra-Platinum-Synthetic/dp/B01MA4UAP5/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=pennzoil+ultra+platinum+5w-20&qid=1563489347&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

 

[83Mule]

Keep in mind the narrower the range in weight the longer the oil stays in spec.........5-20 will hold it's Add-Pack longer....10/60 would fall out sooner. With correct intervals it's not an issue......stretch the OCI and get accelerated wear. I go 7500 but it seems 10K is fine with a quality synth oil.

 

[Charlievee]

What about straight 50 weight?

 

[83Mule]

50 would be too heavy and drop oil pressure on start-up, plus cut mpg. You want the lightest weight that will get the job done at operating temp so 20 is fine for most usage....30 for severe heat. If you live in sub-zero the 0/20 makes the most sense at start-up but even a 5/20 is only a fraction heavier at freezing. Anything over 40 degrees or so and there is no functional difference between the two.

 

[zonzin]

Well,, I switch to 0-30 in the summer due to heat and I tow a travel trailer in the summer. My instinct tells me that is better protection than 0-20.



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[Rapid_Amble]

Well,, I switch to 0-30 in the summer due to heat and I tow a travel trailer in the summer. My instinct tells me that is better protection than 0-20.



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That’s an interesting choice. Any reason 5w30 wouldn’t work, to close the spread a little plus it’s summer temperatures.

 

[Charlievee]

50 would be too heavy and drop oil pressure on start-up, plus cut mpg. You want the lightest weight that will get the job done at operating temp so 20 is fine for most usage....30 for severe heat. If you live in sub-zero the 0/20 makes the most sense at start-up but even a 5/20 is only a fraction heavier at freezing. Anything over 40 degrees or so and there is no functional difference between the two.

Sarcasm, these tiny mighty mo's can't handle real American crude. Lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_hrJyoKmDk&app=desktop

 

[Axix23]

keeping in simple terms, the first number 0 or 5 is the weight of the oil when its cold. the second number is for when the oil is hot. So, say you have a turbo car in Alaska, your probably going to want to run a very low first number so the oil circulates through the engine/turbo faster so it doesn't cause damages.

I have a high hp turbo Honda and I normally run Mobil 1 (0w40) I am running a higher second number for added protection as turbo cars run very hot.

Running 5w20 won't kill your motor. Unless you can't find any other oil, I would just use 0w20

 

[redneckj]

When we bought our 5th gen used the dealer had changed the oil, I drove it like that for about 5000kms and found the performance underwhelming.

I changed the oil early for this reason, used 0w20 and the difference was very noticeable right away, engine was more eager to rev, and had way more power in the upper revs, my theory is whatever weight bulk oil they used wasn't allowing the vvti to work properly, and made the truck a real dog, hopefully no damage was caused (I strongly doubt it), but it really drove home how picky these engines are about oil.

Use the right stuff, buy a case when it comes on sale, the oil change interval is LONG on these trucks so it's not like you'll have to do it every 3 months or anything.

They must have installed straight 90W