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I recently (1500 miles ago) changed my oil in my 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0l inline 6 cylinder with 126,000 miles on the engine and used a higher mileage oil with a 20W50 rating. With every oil change I add a fuel injector cleaner. But since this change I have been noticing my gas mileage has dropped significantly. My engine runs hot all of the time (210 on the gauge) and my region has been in and out of a heat wave for the last month or so. My question is, will the 20W50 oil hurt my engine, and would this oil cause the increase in gas consumption?

2006-08-17 08:50:38 · 9 answers · asked by Joe 2 in Cars & Transportation Maintenance & Repairs

9 answers

I believe Jeep recommends 5w30. 5w30 is 5 weight when cold and 30 weight when hot. 20w50 is a lot thicker at startup and when hot. Your engine needs to work harder to keep the oil flowing resulting in your decreased gas milage. It will also cause your engine to run slightly hotter due to the increased viscosity. I don't know what region of the country you live in, but if it gets really cold there in the winter you may have starting problems on really cold mornings.

Someone mentioned 15w50, which is a step in the right direction, but you will still see the same problems you are having now, only to a lesser degree. I'd scale back to a 10w40 or 15w40 in the summer and use 10w30 in the winter

2006-08-17 09:14:14 · answer #1 · answered by john_stolworthy 6 · 1 0

Jeep Grand Cherokee 1996

2016-10-06 07:02:58 · answer #2 · answered by duty 4 · 0 0

1996 Grand Cherokee Laredo

2017-01-05 06:57:10 · answer #3 · answered by Erika 4 · 0 0

210 isnt hot, its right in the middle of the proper fan operation. now running 20w50 oil shouldnt hurt gas mileage alot. i have a 98 with a 5.9 liter in it and i will run 20w50 when i relocate to so-cal. besides i would be more concerned with engine protection than mpg. although the person that mentioned 15w50 makes a valid point.

2006-08-17 09:08:18 · answer #4 · answered by Christian 7 · 0 0

In high temp this oil should work fine

If you want a good oil
try *mobil 1* 15w 50 synthetic without useing an additive..
This works good in hot and cold temp.

You might want to check you anti-freeze and maybe change your thermostat

I would avoid useing a fuel injection cleaner
it may eat the fuel filter inner parts if you use too much.

2006-08-17 09:02:55 · answer #5 · answered by Vulcan 1 5 · 0 0

20w50 is racing oil if you have a stock engine you shouldnt use heavier than 10w40 some 6 and 4 cld engines recommend 5w30 in winter and 10w30 in summer

2006-08-17 08:59:41 · answer #6 · answered by Chad O 2 · 0 0

A fair amount of Cherokees of this vintage have the very problem you are describing here. Usually it's a failure in the windshield seal. Fortunately it is also usually an easy and inexpensive fix. Take a run down to your local auto glass shop and have them check it out. A simple reseal will solve the problem in most cases.

2016-03-17 00:16:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Yes, it's probably the oil. As the engine gets hotter, this oil thickens causing more internal Resistance to moving parts. If it's not using oil, stick with 10W30.

2006-08-17 09:01:02 · answer #8 · answered by Tinker 4 · 0 0

It is a much thicker oil than 10w40 or 10W30 and thus will cause lower gas mileage and higher operating temperature.

2006-08-17 08:59:44 · answer #9 · answered by bobsled 5 · 0 0

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