SAE 5w-20 vs SAE 5w-30?

Question

im planning on changing my engine oil this weekend, so i went to go buy motor oil and a filter at the local auto parts store.
anyways, i look in the handbook provided w/ the car that it recommends SAE 5w-30 for my 05 Dogde Magnum SE 2.7 V6 dohc w/ 36,000+miles, but also says to check what the oil cap states. the oil cap says SAE 5w-20.
from what i briefly researched is that sae 5w-20 is more for like cold weather and sae 5w-30 for warmer climates. i live in southern california, currently the weather is mediocre for a winter..its average in the morning is 55 degrees and in the day is around 65-70 degrees.
well my question is, can i use the sae 5w-30 part synthetic in my car because the books says it recommends it even though the oil cap says sae 5w-20? thanks.

Answer 1

Each one is fine for use for your area. If you lived in Death valley or southern Arizona then I would use the 5W-30. You have a low friction engine--best to go with what the manufacturer recommends-- if they recommend 5w-30 semi--then go with that too. Spring and summer is coming and there is greater chance that you will venture to a place with a hotter climate. Your always wanting to change your oil and what type of oil to the recommended value that corresponds to the weather conditions and the driving type that you do as per the maintenance book/ owners book.

The oil cap is the same no matter where the car is being shipped to--so you need to go by the book for the weather type that you drive in. Big difference between Maine and Southern California.

Answer 2

Sae 5w-20

Answer 3

While you are correct that the 5W- 20 is aimed for colder climates and the 5W-30 for warmer climates, there isn't a great deal of difference. However, I will say right now that it would be best to use what the manufacturer recommends. (In this case, follow what your oil cap says, as your owner's manual is for the same model car, but it may have different engine sizes/options.) In simplest terms, the "w" between the numbers represents "winter", not "weight", despite popular belief. Therefore, the 5 means that at the coldest ambient air temperature, the oil's viscosity will be at it's thinnest and the 20 (or 30) means that the oil will be at it's thickest viscosity, providing its most "lubricative" properties, and preventing the oil from thinning out too much. I could go on and on about this, but I think this should be enough info to give you a fair decision.

Answer 4

5w-20 Vs 5w-30

Answer 5

Either is fine... But in some older engines. The micron of the filter can affect oil flow by volume. Thinner oils heat up quicker, but also cool off faster and do not retain heat as long like 15w-50 would. 5-20 and 5-30 are so close, I would not even worry about it. Now if 10w-40 was in the mix, that may work. But it better be texas weather, someplace hot year round. I live where it rarely even reaches 90F, so thinner oils are pretty common thing to use.

Answer 6

all I know is last change I used 20 by accident and highway mileage jumped from 21 mpg to 31. been checking and checking the dipstick and the oil seems perfectly fine. the car is a 2002 Infiniti I-35 with 144,000. I bought it 27 1/2 mos. ago with 64,800 put on by two owners over 9 yrs.

Answer 7

1

Answer 8

Correct higher number = thicker.
What people dont understand is the Government mandates better fuel milage for newer cars its not that car makers think its a better oil to use.
Every few yrs the Gov sets new standards new car manufactures have to meet and when they dont reach them they get fined. Just like they do with smog ratings. Manufacturers went to thinner oils to help reach these goals because the thiner oils have less resistance when the cranks counter weights travel through the oil in the oil pan. Also thinner is just less restrictive throughout the engine when warmed up so better mpg.

As far as w20 being specific for winter/colder climate oil according to "all" oil companies thats never changed. As far as oil companies views that w30 is in fact the better heat/friction fighter, that has never changed.

If my car starts easy and lifters dont tick & its timing chain dont clatter on statup I'll go with the w30 everytime to get many thousands of more miles from my engine from it fighting friction/heat.
That said,
Im not like most people though who sell a car because they think 100k is alot of miles. Im the one who buys your 100k Toyota and one who knows 3-600k is alot of miles on one thats cared for depending on model.
Google without the " " marks- " Clyde glides to a million " or " Million mile T-100 " if you dont believe that and Its still running today! These are highway miles understand, but the truck is loaded down too. 500k is very common on Toyota/Lexus trucks/4runners/land cruisers without majors.

Answer 9

Ford, Mazda and Honda switched to 5W20 from 2002. Chrysler followed from 2005 on most vehicles.

Go with what the people who actually engineered and built your car recommend. They spend millions of dollars figuring this stuff out. Who else knows better? Certianly no one here. I know that on a Ford (having dealt with this already) deviating from the 5W20 oil can void your powertrain warranty. Chrysler may well be just as picky.

Answer 10

When all else fails,go with mfgs.suggested viscosity.
In your climate I don't see anything harmful about
using 5w30.
I'd suggest using the 20wgt,since few people let
their engine warm up to operating temp. these days.