Thinking about a 0W-20 ? Need answers ?

[motordavid]

No oil or motor xpert here, either but I don't get the need for
a "20" anywhere south of the arctic circle, (in winter).

Our Honda CR-V pos came with 5W-20, but that was simply
"help" in chasing an EPA mpg rating that car could barely maintain
going downhill with a tailwind...NEway, I like 30 and I like 40 even better,
as in Mobil One 0W-40...or, pick your brand of synthetic.

These oil threads, while slightly interesting, have become as ubiquitous
and as frequent as the monthly lunar cycles. And, they elicit about the
same opins and anecdotes and arguments, imo.
GL,mD

[nrgetic99]

Originally Posted by chefwong

What's the HTHS of this 0W20

You ask what the HTHS is of 'this 0W-20'.

If you read what I wrote carefully, I do not recommend any particular 0W-20. I do however relate good experiences I have had with two partiuclar products.

I also urge people to do thier own research... in fact, I think you will find that was my exact words.

But, to be complete

The Amsoil Series 2000 0W-20 is no longer listed on their website but I had it measured at 3.0 cP (ASTM D4683).

They have now replaced that with thier signature series 0W-30 and do not offer a 0W-20 curently. The signature series 0W-30 is 3.2 cP.

Mobil 1 0W-20 is listed at 2.6 cP wheras the 0W-30 is listed as 2.99 cSt.

Do you have an absolute lower limit in mind and any data correlating HTHS to field performance, either good or bad ???

(The spec limit for a 30 weight is 2.9 cP min)

David

P.S. For those in the dark, HTHS measures the Viscosity at 150C and high shear condition such as in a bearing under load etc...it is really a good dynamic indicator of how a fluid holds up in real world conditions ....

[nrgetic99]

Originally Posted by motordavid

No oil or motor xpert here, either but I don't get the need for
a "20" anywhere south of the arctic circle, (in winter).

Our Honda CR-V pos came with 5W-20, but that was simply
"help" in chasing an EPA mpg rating that car could barely maintain
going downhill with a tailwind...NEway, I like 30 and I like 40 even better,
as in Mobil One 0W-40...or, pick your brand of synthetic.

These oil threads, while slightly interesting, have become as ubiquitous
and as frequent as the monthly lunar cycles. And, they elicit about the
same opins and anecdotes and arguments, imo.
GL,mD

My applogies....

... I was asked and responded to a question. I did not start this thread as a way of steering anyone in any particular direction.

It was well researced, grounded in solid facts and based on 20 years of experience which includes but not limited to field trials, bench engine tests, rig tests and personal investigation and diagnosis of field failures.

However, rest assured, I will not make that mistake again. I would hate you to have to take the time to disregard my "opins and anecdotes and arguments" again.

That would be dreadfully tiresome for you, imo.

[motordavid]

nrgetic, well my hat's off for your fine sarcasm...
I haven't been dreadfully tired in a long time, but this
thread is bringing me close to that condition.

My comments in previous post, were not exactly directed at you,
just the topic, which if searched, would emerge as pages of the same
discussion. But, I'm just along for the ride, as are most here.
Enjoy the topic and that 20W.

Originally Posted by nrgetic99

My applogies....

... I was asked and responded to a question. I did not start this thread as a way of steering anyone in any particular direction.

It was well researced, grounded in solid facts and based on 20 years of experience which includes but not limited to field trials, bench engine tests, rig tests and personal investigation and diagnosis of field failures.

However, rest assured, I will not make that mistake again. I would hate you to have to take the time to disregard my "opins and anecdotes and arguments" again.

That would be dreadfully tiresome for you, imo.

[nrgetic99]

Originally Posted by motordavid

nrgetic, well my hat's off for your fine sarcasm...
I haven't been dreadfully tired in a long time, but this
thread is bringing me close to that condition.

My comments in previous post, were not exactly directed at you,
just the topic, which if searched, would emerge as pages of the same
discussion. But, I'm just along for the ride, as are most here.
Enjoy the topic and that 20W.

Thats fine, I need to quit the coffee and step back from the edge of the cliff anyway... I am done in this thread lest I cause any more confusion or come off as defensive which , in re-reading what I said, I sound mighty close to.

Just don't make me tell you about the full synthetic 5W-40 I was involved in years ago... one of the best products I have ever used but the current specs make it pretty much un-sellable... with the exception of a few speciality marketers that sell based purely on performance and not API specs...

..ironically enough, it was approved by BMW and Porsche in Europe. I know this as I made both applications in person at the OEMs in Germany.

But that, like this thread is in the past. Time to move on.

David.

P.S. If you ask me nicely in private, I can tell you where to find the 5W40 and its close cousin the 5W50 ...here is a clue, our crazy cousins to the North are still using it

[motordavid]

PM Sent...

[JCL]

Originally Posted by chefwong

Guys....I am not a OIL guru by far but maybe JCL will chime in.
Please just make educated decisions on what you put in your ride, especially your crankcase !

No oil guru here, just an engine guy. Oil is part of the equation, but others here have more experience in it. For the record, from the sidelines my $0.02:

• I wouldn't put a 0W-20 oil in my X5 unless I was a lot further north than I am. Back in my -45C ambient days, I used oils like that.
• I agree with nrgetic that people should do their own due diligence. There are no magic answers.
• I agree with MD that this is a frequent topic, and we won't solve world issues with it this time. Lots of good history on the board using search, especially posts by withidl
• I don't think Group III oils are particularly bad. I use them. They work fine for me.
• I am a likely a 'cousin to the North' but not crazy as far as I can determine. I don't look for x-40 or x-50 oils since I like the 5W30 I get from my dealer. I think that modern name brand SL synthetic oils like the Castrol that I use are all pretty good, and that the actual performance differences, while possibly discernable in a lab on a test engine, or not likely to be seen in the real world.

I should start logging in earlier in the evening (here on West Coast time), I would get in on all the good discussions!

[nrgetic99]

Originally Posted by JCL

No oil guru here, just an engine guy. Oil is part of the equation, but others here have more experience in it. For the record, from the sidelines my $0.02:

• I wouldn't put a 0W-20 oil in my X5 unless I was a lot further north than I am. Back in my -45C ambient days, I used oils like that.
• I agree with nrgetic that people should do their own due diligence. There are no magic answers.
• I agree with MD that this is a frequent topic, and we won't solve world issues with it this time. Lots of good history on the board using search, especially posts by withidl
• I don't think Group III oils are particularly bad. I use them. They work fine for me.
• I am a likely a 'cousin to the North' but not crazy as far as I can determine. I don't look for x-40 or x-50 oils since I like the 5W30 I get from my dealer. I think that modern name brand SL synthetic oils like the Castrol that I use are all pretty good, and that the actual performance differences, while possibly discernable in a lab on a test engine, or not likely to be seen in the real world.

I should start logging in earlier in the evening (here on West Coast time), I would get in on all the good discussions!

Crazy was intended as a term of endearment and I would like to think this thread has a more useful outcome than some... excellent input all around.

As for Group III, as long as you know what you are getting and understand, then I agree, they are a good alternative.

Just trying to add to the place instead of sucking knowledge out of it.

David

[JCL]

Originally Posted by nrgetic99

Crazy was intended as a term of endearment and I would like to think this thread has a more useful outcome than some... excellent input all around.

Yeah, I got that

[chefwong]

Driving Styles do play a role as well.
Nrgetic - happen to have some UOA's.

If you're interested in seeing some UOA's, I have some various runs with Redline 5W30, Castrol 0W30 and a bio (veggie oil ;-0 ) 5W40 that is highly additized.

Based on my driving habits and oil change cycles, I've settled on the Castrol OW30 for me...