What Oil Should I use?

[evolutionmovement]

Yeah, but it's 0W/20, not 30. I'd be more concerned with leaking $6/qt. oil than some possible gas savings when cold over the 5W/30. I tried the 0 before and where the leaks were acceptable with the 5W, the 0 leaked REALLY bad. Didn't notice any difference in gas mileage between the two, so I switched back to 5W/30 with that car and subsequent ones and can't say anything bad about it per my 250k tear down (because of a damn $12 valve). The 5W protected extremely well from New England winters to 100 mph+ in the summer desert, J-turns, high engine speed with low car speed sliding around in snow or dirt, and plenty of other high temp abuse.

Oh, wait I see you corrected the weights.

[RandomFact314]

Well it seems to me out of all the comments, by best bet is to just stick with the 5W30 synthetic oil because it's "best all around"

[theunchosen]

Don't drop the lead number.

Stevey is right(if not long winded lol).

The first is what viscosity the oil is cold. The second is its ability to flow hot. As long as its not really cold there or like I said you don't come screeching out of your parking space or drive way it won't matter.

The upper number 5w30 is the important part. Dropping it down will not result in more leaks(because it doesn't leak at 5 obviously. . .) It will be easier to flow. And no you don't want heavier oil for sure. When it gets too hot it won't lubricate your cylinder properly becauses the molecules are too fat and they don't flow over each other very well.

Either stick 5w30 or drop to 5w20. the 20 will net you savings on the highway because its much less difficult to move the piston(trust me), and it shouldn't cause excessive wear. But the savings are minimal. Its hard for you to push the heavier oil. . .but your engine doesn't care or hardly notices.

[stevey_frac]

Originally Posted by theunchosen

Don't drop the lead number.

Stevey is right(if not long winded lol).

Sorry about the long winded-ness. It's an issue i'm working on as a person. Or so my therapist says.

[theunchosen]

Lol its fine. I just summarized for people just looking for an answer that didn't really care for specifics.

I do it depending on the topic and if I get excited about it lol.

[stevey_frac]

Getting back on topic. I would consider running 0W20 once the warranty on my car expires. The slightly thinner oil would result in cooler temps, and more oil flow. And better fuel economy.

[theunchosen]

mm. . .I would go with the 5w20. . .the 0 will leak out faster.. might spring an oil leak and cause catastrophic problems. . . besides. . .the 0 will only help out in really cold weather and when you first start. . .so for 2-3 minutes every trip