0W-20 oil or 5W-40 oil
Discussion
Hi, I m wanting to do an oil service on my own. And torn between which oil viscosity to use.
The manufacturer recommended 5W-40 oil for the pre facelift cars and then one year suddenly changed their recommendation to 0W-20.
Having gone down a rabbit hole on other forums. Some people claimed the manufacturer only did this to meet MPG fuel efficiency targets. And the thinner 0W-20 doesn t have any other benefit. Some even claimed the thinner oil can be detrimental for high mileage / highly stressed engines, as it offers less wear protection.
What do you think? Is this a wacky conspiracy theory and I should stick to the manufacturers recommendation of 0W-20? Or should I use the thicker 5W-40 instead, if I want to keep my car forever and run it into the ground? Thanks.
The cars a VW Golf. With the 2 litre EA888 engine. Around 60,000 miles.
The manufacturer recommended 5W-40 oil for the pre facelift cars and then one year suddenly changed their recommendation to 0W-20.
Having gone down a rabbit hole on other forums. Some people claimed the manufacturer only did this to meet MPG fuel efficiency targets. And the thinner 0W-20 doesn t have any other benefit. Some even claimed the thinner oil can be detrimental for high mileage / highly stressed engines, as it offers less wear protection.
What do you think? Is this a wacky conspiracy theory and I should stick to the manufacturers recommendation of 0W-20? Or should I use the thicker 5W-40 instead, if I want to keep my car forever and run it into the ground? Thanks.
The cars a VW Golf. With the 2 litre EA888 engine. Around 60,000 miles.
Mr Miata said:
Hi, I m wanting to do an oil service on my own. And torn between which oil viscosity to use.
The manufacturer recommended 5W-40 oil for the pre facelift cars and then one year suddenly changed their recommendation to 0W-20.
What do you think? Is this a wacky conspiracy theory and I should stick to the manufacturers recommendation of 0W-20? Or should I use the thicker 5W-40 instead, if I want to keep my car forever and run it into the ground?
Definitely a "whacky conspiracy theory" they want you to wear out your nice (newer) engine & then buy another, of course you should use the thinner less-protective oil............. The manufacturer recommended 5W-40 oil for the pre facelift cars and then one year suddenly changed their recommendation to 0W-20.
What do you think? Is this a wacky conspiracy theory and I should stick to the manufacturers recommendation of 0W-20? Or should I use the thicker 5W-40 instead, if I want to keep my car forever and run it into the ground?
E-bmw said:
Definitely a "whacky conspiracy theory" they want you to wear out your nice (newer) engine & then buy another, of course you should use the thinner less-protective oil.............
Do manufacturers really care about reliability once the car has exceeded its warranty period?the-norseman said:
FIAT/Alfa did a similar move with the 1.4 Multiair engine.
Mine is one of the later Euro 6 engines and needs the 0W oil.
I'm not sure you understand oil specifications. Nothing wrong with a Zero weight Winter oil. 0W is still way more viscous when cold than a 40 weight oil is at operating temperature. Mine is one of the later Euro 6 engines and needs the 0W oil.
You're conflating several different things which I can't really be bothered to go in to.
Thinner oil is predominantly for fuel efficiency and like for like a heavier weight oil will provide more protection than the same spec oil in a lower viscosity.
As mentioned it does seem unlikely that the 2 options are 0W-20 and 5W-40. It's more common to spec 0W-20 or 5W-30. Read up on the meaning of the multi grade viscosities. Anyone who says anything along the lines of a 0W is too thin categorically doesn't know what they're talking about, it's actually quite funny.
Either way a good quality oil changed regularly and of the correct spec then you're unlikely to go wrong and the engine should outlive the car.
Thinner oil is predominantly for fuel efficiency and like for like a heavier weight oil will provide more protection than the same spec oil in a lower viscosity.
As mentioned it does seem unlikely that the 2 options are 0W-20 and 5W-40. It's more common to spec 0W-20 or 5W-30. Read up on the meaning of the multi grade viscosities. Anyone who says anything along the lines of a 0W is too thin categorically doesn't know what they're talking about, it's actually quite funny.
Either way a good quality oil changed regularly and of the correct spec then you're unlikely to go wrong and the engine should outlive the car.
Mr Miata said:
E-bmw said:
Definitely a "whacky conspiracy theory" they want you to wear out your nice (newer) engine & then buy another, of course you should use the thinner less-protective oil.............
Do manufacturers really care about reliability once the car has exceeded its warranty period?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ok8HcUrzeE
This video came up on my feed.
Engines tested, some using 0w-20, others using 5w30.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ok8HcUrzeE
and here's a rebuttal of that video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyBUcxFmqn8
This video came up on my feed.
Engines tested, some using 0w-20, others using 5w30.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ok8HcUrzeE
and here's a rebuttal of that video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyBUcxFmqn8
Edited by Smint on Monday 27th October 12:17
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