Oil grade: 5W20 vs 5W30?

[Rhodius]

I plan to use Mobil 1 with my CX-9. I've always used 5W30 in my X5 (per manual), but from what I read in the CX manual, it's recommending using 5W20.

When I googled, it seemed the newer car (my X5 is only 5 years old, what were they thinking?) these days run on 5W20. I'd hate having to label them separately and since I buy in bulk, I don't like to carry both of them.

Can anyone tell me or point to sites that can explain, can I safely use 5W30 for both cars or should I switch to 5W20 for both cars?

Thanks.

[CX9 SportOwner]

ALWAYS use what the manufacturer tells you to.

[njerald]

The site is your Owners Manual!!!!!

[todd92]

I use 5W-30 in all of my cars. 5W-20 is a lame attempt by Ford to get a few tenths extra MPG in the EPA test. No other manufacturer uses 5W-20.

[DH Motorsports]

Personally, I'd use 30 weight in this case. It is correct. The only reason for 20 weight is to save a few MPG in the long run. I don't think its the best idea, I'd rather the engine be protected. Go with something a touch heavier.

[njerald]

I use 5W-30 in all of my cars. 5W-20 is a lame attempt by Ford to get a few tenths extra MPG in the EPA test. No other manufacturer uses 5W-20.

Wakeup, 0W-20 in my Toyota!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kosh2258]

Using 5w-30 will present no problems.

5w-20 is being driven by the government as much as anyone. There isn't a signficiant difference between 20 and 30. Keep in mind the wording is recommended, not mandatory.

I've seen some really big dust ups over the topic of oil and oil changes on other website to the point of being ridiculous.

Use a good grade of oil with API certification and follow the manufacturers drain intervals. Brand is up to you. I use Mobil 1 myself in my '04 Acura TL and have had no issues. Honda recommends 5w-20 as well for their engines but I've used 5w-30 and not seen any change in mileage. 20 weight synthetic doesn't bother me. Independent testing has shown 5w-20 synthetic holds up just fine. The additive package is the important thing.

I'm going to use the same oil in the CX-9 I use in the TL and follow Mazda's schedule for the change interval.

Ted

[Rockadile]

Ummm. I'll insert my opinion here, too. I would use the 5W20. Reason being is if there is ever a failure due to a lubrication problem during the warranty, Mazda could deny your warranty claim.

I've also heard of problems with the oil foaming (IIRC) when using 5W30 in place of 5W20. May have been a specific case or cases with a certain car, but I am not willing to take a chance.

[todd92]

Ummm. I'll insert my opinion here, too. I would use the 5W20. Reason being is if there is ever a failure due to a lubrication problem during the warranty, Mazda could deny your warranty claim.

I've also heard of problems with the oil foaming (IIRC) when using 5W30 in place of 5W20. May have been a specific case or cases with a certain car, but I am not willing to take a chance.


Nonsense. 1st, your not going to have a lubrication related failure. 2nd, if you did, Mazda would have to prove it was due to the 5W-30 oil. 3rd, provide some proof that 5W-30 oil has a 'foaming' problem.

[CX-7owner]

5W-30 has a viscosity that is much higher than 20.

[njerald]

5W-30 has a viscosity that is much higher than 20.


Not when it's cold!!!!!

[CX-7owner]

Not when it's cold!!!!!
Even if, in my turbo engine I'll take 5W-30 thx.
BUT you should still use what 5W-30, its what's best for the Engines longevity.

[jabba]

Even if, in my turbo engine I'll take 5W-30 thx.
BUT you should still use what 5W-30, its what's best for the Engines longevity.

I use 0W40 synthetic in my turbo Audi! (I worry about those cold starts in the winter, so the thinner 0W gives me peace of mind).

Audi/VW has had to release numerous bulletins concerning oil quality due to some engine oil sludge issues they have had. So in that case, if Mazda only lists 5W-20 as the recommended oil, I wonder if this could come to bite you if anything happens.

[CX-7owner]

I use 0W40 synthetic in my turbo Audi! (I worry about those cold starts in the winter, so the thinner 0W gives me peace of mind).

Audi/VW has had to release numerous bulletins concerning oil quality due to some engine oil sludge issues they have had. So in that case, if Mazda only lists 5W-20 as the recommended oil, I wonder if this could come to bite you if anything happens.
5W-30 Is like the one of the best for turbocharged engines, per the Mobil1 site, and my mechanic.

[njerald]

BUT you should still use what 5W-30, its what's best for the Engines longevity.

That's a load of uneducated BS!!!!!!!

[CX-7owner]

That's a load of uneducated BS!!!!!!!
RIIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EXPLAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[njerald]

RIIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EXPLAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


You aren't a Lubrication Engineer and it's just your opinion.

Everyone has an opinion.

It takes a little education and work to have an informed opinion.................

[CX-7owner]

You aren't a Lubrication Engineer and it's just your opinion.

Everyone has an opinion.

It takes a little education and work to have an informed opinion.................
NO, YOU still have not PROVEN what I said to be incorrect, what YOU'RE saying is an OPINION.
EXPLAIN......................

[ForceFed]

NO, YOU still have not PROVEN what I said to be incorrect, what YOU'RE saying is an OPINION.
EXPLAIN......................

What you said was your opinion...Why must he prove to you that you stated your opinion?
How about you prove that your statement was a fact?

[CX-7owner]

5W-30 oil has a higher viscosity than 20 therefore protects engine components more than a thinner oil like 20.

[ForceFed]

5W-30 oil has a higher viscosity than 20 therefore protects engine components more than a thinner oil like 20.This is still an opinion..Otherwise Manufacturers woulnt use or reccomend anything but 5w-30 or 30 weight.
I guess you must know more than the guys who build this stuff?

Or, on the other hand, this same thicker oil could take longer to Circulate on start-up and cause metal to metal wear causing premature engine failure.

This is stated as an opinion...But it makes as much sense as your statement.

[CX-7owner]

This is still an opinion..Otherwise Manufacturers woulnt use or reccomend anything but 5w-30 or 30 weight.
I guess you must know more than the guys who build this stuff?

Or this same thicker oil could take longer to Circulate on start-up and cause metal to metal wear causing premature engine failure.

This is stated as an opinion...But it makes as much sense as your statement.
They use thinner oil for CAFE, lower MPG.
Ford and Honda started use of thinner oil just for the MPG benefit.

[CX-7owner]

http://bestsyntheticoil.com/dealers/amsoil/5w20-cafe.shtmlExplains my "opinion".

[ForceFed]

Explains my "opinion".Thats an oil 'Company"
Biased "opinion" from the get go.

If if your case is more protection from the thicker oil..Why not run 40weight...
Or hell..Lets do it right and run straight 50.

[CX-7owner]

Too thick, no added benefit either, and prove where the bias is?
I'm sorry but I don't see one.
They sell both oil types (20, and 30) so it doesn't make sense.

[CX-7owner]

Why do you continue to combat me on this, 5W-30 WILL improve your Engine life over 5W-20, it's a FACT.

[ForceFed]

Why do you continue to combat me on this, 5W-30 WILL improve your Engine life over 5W-20, it's a FACT.No..it is still an opinion no matter how you want to try to twist it.

You should Technically run whatever the manufacturer reccomends for the product they spent millions designing.

I combat you because you are wrong in trying to force your opinion on people.
Your like a politician..Say it enough and people will believe.

The smart ones however, will not.

[njerald]

Why do you continue to combat me on this, 5W-30 WILL improve your Engine life over 5W-20, it's a FACT.

Because you are intellectually, mentally and factually challenged!!!!

[CX-7owner]

No..it is still an opinion no matter how you want to try to twist it.

You should Technically run whatever the manufacturer reccomends for the product they spent millions designing.

I combat you because you are wrong in trying to force your opinion on people.
Your like a politician..Say it enough and people will believe.

The smart ones however, will not.
Right, because 5W-30 oil won't provide more protection, keep thinking that, because it's just merely an opinion(rofl), why don't you call some specialists and see what they say.
You're wrong.
It's WELL known, WELL beyond your ignorant self that Honda and Ford SWITCHED over from 30 oil to 20 PURELY AND ONLY for MPG, These are two manufacturers out hard for better MPG and will do anything for it.
It provides less friction and improves MPG at the cost of engine life.
Prove that you're right, and that THINNER oil will provide the SAME protection as THICKER oil like 30.

[CX-7owner]

Because you are intellectually, mentally and factually challenged!!!!
Right, you still haven't proved your point, just a simple, OMG THATS YOUR OPINION ITS WRONG!!!! OMG!!!!
It's not opinion, it's fact.

Someone clearly needs to be heard with their bold font and heavy use of !!!!!!.

[ForceFed]

So..where are your facts..you have still failed to provide solid,unbiased factual information.
You should "tehnically" run what these so called Experts that designed the cars tell you to run.
I do beleive they would be qualified as "Specialists" in their field.

Until these facts are provided ..Its an opinion.

Period.

[CX-7owner]

So..where are your facts..you have still failed to provide solid,unbiased factual information.
You should "tehnically" run what these so called Experts that designed the cars tell you to run.
I do beleive they would be qualified as "Specialists" in their field.

Until these facts are provided ..Its an opinion.

Period.
It's an opinion to the ignorant mind.

[crashkelly]

5w-30, 5w-20, 5w-40 are all just ranges. If you are recommended to use 5w-20 you wont have problems running a larger ranged 5w-30 or 40...but if you are recommend to be running say a 5w-40 range and you are only runninga 5w-20 or a 0w-30 you might have a problem. Running a wider range wont hurt you though, running a smaller will. (And if it helps my Father works for Elf (now Total) Lubicrants who were recently considering buying Royal Purple...I dont want to post anything specific, but let's just say Royal Purple is not at as high standards as people believe and Total did not bother with them).

[todd92]

I have just a little oil enginnering knowledge, having worked on developing Mobil 1 in the 80's. The owners manual does not always know best. In this case, Ford chose 5W-20 to boost CAFE numbers in the EPA mileage test. Once that choice was made, they HAD to recommend 5W-20 in the owners manual to remain in EPA complaince. As the above poster stated, a wider range can always be substituted for a narrower range. So 5W-30 meets the 5W-20 owners manual requirement. Both are 5W when cold, both flow the same at startup and provide the same initial lubrication. When hot, the 30 weight is more viscous than the 20 weight and WILL provide more protection, at the expense of slightly lower MPG. Yes, 5W-40 would be even better. Mobil 1 offers a 0W-40 which is the only oil they offer the meets all MB, BMW and Porsche specs, and works well in every engine.

For the previous posters that are such horses asses, as the saying goes, better to remain silent and appear stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt...

[njerald]

I have just a little oil enginnering knowledge, having worked on developing Mobil 1 in the 80's.

"Little" and mispelled "engineering" says it .........but it is better than the delerious ranting of CX-7=Love

[100$ GUY]

At 600 miles, do u really need to flush the oil? and clean some parts of the engine because of his break in period....

What happens if u dont do it??

[BlackCherry06]

Nothing that you will notice. According to the manufacturer of pretty much any car you can name, a break-in oil change isn't needed and some even advise against it *cough*Honda*cough*. I do it mainly because it makes me feel better, and oil is pretty cheap insurance against the chance that there is bits of aluminum break-in material circulating inside my engine. I just prefer to get rid of the factory fill due to this, as well as other factors such as how many times the car has been started and shut off after 10 seconds, and how long the oil has been in the pan. But if you don't feel like doing it, chances are you're not going to notice a difference.

To the OP: You would be fine running both your vehicles on 5W-30. If the BMW calls for it, I wouldn't be putting 5W-20 in it. But 5W-30 won't bother the CX-9.

[njerald]

Most of the advice on this thread is worth every dollar you are paying for it!!!!

People who think they know it all are particularly irritating to those of us who do.

[CX-7owner]

Most of the advice on this thread is worth every dollar you are paying for it!!!!

People who think they know it all are particularly irritating to those of us who do.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
WOW.

[Mazda3]

Ok folks, this thread has run its course. I apologize for not noticing this thread earlier. I think all the info thats going to be contributed is here and its only going to nasty so we'll closer down for now..