0w20 oil?
02-17-2005, 07:57 PM
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Are you sure the vis increases? As the viscosity modifier breaks down, it should decrease.... For example, a 10W40 will become a 10W30 after 5000 miles - or close to it.
Modern oils are really thin - they even work in Alaska... so no worry, So Cal is just fine. To protect your engine, I would go the other way, from 5W20 to 10W40. Lose the fuel economy - there is none to start with anyway
And, if really concerned, use premix in the fuel. Extra lubrication the easy way.... do a search here for the recipe.
Modern oils are really thin - they even work in Alaska... so no worry, So Cal is just fine. To protect your engine, I would go the other way, from 5W20 to 10W40. Lose the fuel economy - there is none to start with anyway
And, if really concerned, use premix in the fuel. Extra lubrication the easy way.... do a search here for the recipe.
02-18-2005, 03:27 PM
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Note: This is from memory and a long time ago. I think I am correct.
For conventional oil, viscosity decreases over time from polymer shearing and thermal breakdown.
Note: the w does not stand for weight. The w stands for winter, or something similar.
Using 0w20 for example:
The 0 refers to the flowability characteristics in cold.
The oil will flow like a 0 weight in cold. You want the oil to flow as quickly as possible when you start your car, especially in the cold.
A very thick oil would not make this possible.
The 20 means the oil will be a 20 weight under stress.
The polymers cause the oil to thicken to turn a 0 weight into a 20 weight.
As the polymers get broken, the oil looses its ability to 'thicken' to a 20 weight.
So, as the oil gets older and older.. you have a 0w20.. 0w19.. 0w18.. etc..
So, not only does your oil get dirty over time, the level of protection drops.
A 0w20 conventional oil is a 0 weight oil.
For synthetic, this is not the case. A 0w20 synthetic is a true 20 weight,
not a 0 weight that thickens under heat and pressure.
It just has the flowability characteristics of a 0 weight in cold.
I would not use a 0w20 unless you are in a very cold area.
Hope this helps.. and I am correct
-B
For conventional oil, viscosity decreases over time from polymer shearing and thermal breakdown.
Note: the w does not stand for weight. The w stands for winter, or something similar.
Using 0w20 for example:
The 0 refers to the flowability characteristics in cold.
The oil will flow like a 0 weight in cold. You want the oil to flow as quickly as possible when you start your car, especially in the cold.
A very thick oil would not make this possible.
The 20 means the oil will be a 20 weight under stress.
The polymers cause the oil to thicken to turn a 0 weight into a 20 weight.
As the polymers get broken, the oil looses its ability to 'thicken' to a 20 weight.
So, as the oil gets older and older.. you have a 0w20.. 0w19.. 0w18.. etc..
So, not only does your oil get dirty over time, the level of protection drops.
A 0w20 conventional oil is a 0 weight oil.
For synthetic, this is not the case. A 0w20 synthetic is a true 20 weight,
not a 0 weight that thickens under heat and pressure.
It just has the flowability characteristics of a 0 weight in cold.
I would not use a 0w20 unless you are in a very cold area.
Hope this helps.. and I am correct
-B
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