Advantages of 0W20 over 5W30?

brett_xc90 · Jan 6, 2020

I recently swapped out using a Motul 0W20 oil to 5W30 liqui moly in another vehicle. I’d been using the 0W20 for 2 service periods (around 18000 kms (or around 40 tanks of fuel)).
Surprisingly, I’m now getting BETTER fuel economy...by 10% (another 45kms per tank)
This is showing the opposite to what is widely recognised I.e. a lower weight oil will provide a better fuel economy...and yes, I was surprised

Jus sayin’

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MyVolvoS60 · Jan 6, 2020

Tech said:
I did not say Volvo recommends it to prevent oil consumption. I said they said it can be used in any Drive-E engine.

Correct. I copy and pasted most of the TJ in this thread.

For clarification, they don't say any 0W20. Just ones that meet the Volvo specification.

If I recall, you said Volvo requires 0w20 in any engine that has been replaced due to oil consumption. So then I am confused. Why go to 0w20 in replaced engines if not for the benefit of preventing another problem?

Tech · Jan 6, 2020

I simply said what I pasted above.

If a Drive-E engine is rebuilt or replaced, we are required to use the Castrol Edge Professional V 0W20.

Otherwise, it is not required in the early Drive-E engines. But it can be used.

drmanny3 · Jan 6, 2020

There seems to be a lot of conjecture here as to why a particular oil is recommended. I kind of doubt that the 5-30w oil was responsible for any engine failures in of itself. It sounds more like certain engines experienced a variety of issues. In the end when rebuilt those engines were better suited to 0-20w oil. Changing the rings, pistons, and what ever else is done could in fact benefit from a lower viscosity oil. There were also problems related to specific spark plugs. It could also be true that to achieve higher mpg that a lower viscosity engine oil is recommended. These could be two separate issues and not necessarily related. Without hearing from the engineers who made the recommendations we are just shooting in the wind for rational. Frankly as long as you use an oil that meets the Volvo requirements as stated by Tech above I hardly doubt you will notice much of anything. The chemist in me would see that the new viscosity 0-20w should flow better than the 5-30w. It may be that under extreme conditions (such as towing) that the easier flowing oil is preferred. That could affect a lot of things. It is not just the bottom end, but also all moving parts including the turbo charger and possibly the super charger if so equipped. I contacted Castrol and asked them if a certain oil met Volvo's requirements. While it was not stated on the outside of the container, she checked and told me I was good to go. I suspect we are making a mountain out of a molehill.

Tech · Jan 6, 2020

And as for why other countries aren't reporting oil consumption problems, those engines might have different rings. Different counties have different emissions and fuel economy rules.

MyVolvoS60 · Jan 6, 2020

Tech said:
I simply said what I pasted above.

If a Drive-E engine is rebuilt or replaced, we are required to use the Castrol Edge Professional V 0W20.

Otherwise, it is not required in the early Drive-E engines. But it can be used.

Ok let me clarify. What is the justification for using 0w20 in rebuilt engines? Clearly Volvo believes there is some benefit or wouldn't mandate switching from 5w30 to 0w20. What is Volvo's rationale for issuing a technical journal on the subject?

Are the new rings designed to be used specifically with 0w20? Whereas, the older rings can use either 0w20 or 5w30? Or are you unsure of the justification.

Tech · Jan 6, 2020

I do not have any documentation that states an exact reason. I have a theory but I'd rather not speculate and fuel this fire.

MyVolvoS60 · Jan 6, 2020

Tech said:
I do not have any documentation that states an exact reason. I have a theory but I'd rather not speculate and fuel this fire.

Fair enough. Volvo clearly has a reason for the recommendation, but it could completely unrelated.

Maybe the new rings were designed with 0w20 in mind? So swapping over means nothing to me, even though I had them use 0w20. Guess until Volvo comes out with an official statement, if ever, we'll never get a concise answer.

BusteRT6 · Jan 8, 2020

extreme engine operation are city driving with frequent start/stop, short trips, etc.
0W flows better at low temperature. Modern engines are designed for these viscosities and every car brand performs endurance testing in various climates ( know this personally)
we have two other cars in the household that are running on 0W since 2004 without issues.

gotart · Jan 8, 2020

Never fails to amaze me. Talk about oil and there are an infinite amount of threads. Everybody's got an opinion. I just follow the the old car talk guys. Follow the manual and use synthetic. I use Mobil 1 oil- 5W-30 in my S40 & C70. Just to add my 2 cents on this topic- I had a bmw 2002 for 34 years. Engine went to 275,000 miles and I changed the oil every 3k ( Rx at that time- not now of course) and used 5w-30 -changed to heavier in the summertime to 10w-40w.
So I don't know if Castrol Syn has any advantage over Mobil 1 (original producer of syn oil) or it's marketing item with Castrol as per their agreements.

MyVolvoS60 · Jan 8, 2020

gotart said:
Never fails to amaze me. Talk about oil and there are an infinite amount of threads. Everybody's got an opinion. I just follow the the old car talk guys. Follow the manual and use synthetic. I use Mobil 1 oil- 5W-30 in my S40 & C70. Just to add my 2 cents on this topic- I had a bmw 2002 for 34 years. Engine went to 275,000 miles and I changed the oil every 3k ( Rx at that time- not now of course) and used 5w-30 -changed to heavier in the summertime to 10w-40w.
So I don't know if Castrol Syn has any advantage over Mobil 1 (original producer of syn oil) or it's marketing item with Castrol as per their agreements.

2002 BMW for 34 years???? Think you have a major typo.

Row57 · Jan 8, 2020

MyVolvoS60 said:
2002 BMW for 34 years???? Think you have a major typo.

It's a BMW model made from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s.

gotart · Jan 9, 2020

THAT IS NOT A TYPO. It actually went on to 358,000 miles ( 2nd engine -bought a wreck and used the engine) and then I sold it for 6k in 2006 for a Miata. Wish I kept it as now they are worth more $$$. But I wanted a change.
I bought my first Nikon that year and got married (in 1972). The only thing left is the wife

I got pictures -if anybody wants to see them. Maybe I should post the parts car- it looks like out of a wrecking yard.

MyVolvoS60 said:
2002 BMW for 34 years???? Think you have a major typo.

kevinG · Jan 9, 2020

Oh. My. God. You had to bring up the 2002. What a car. One of the draft persons at work had one. This was in 1978, in LA, and I was 19. She was so cool and lived by the beach in Hermosa. Although she was a few years more experienced than me. We had so much fun in that car. No other BMW will ever equal that car. https://www.hagerty.com/articles-vi...ticles-videos/articles/2019/07/31/your-definitive-1968-76-bmw-2002-buyers-guide. Thanks for the memories.

MyVolvoS60 · Jan 9, 2020

Row57 said:
It's a BMW model made from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s.

Ah well before my time. Thought he meant a Model Year 2002...

MyVolvoS60 · Jan 9, 2020

gotart said:
THAT IS NOT A TYPO. It actually went on to 358,000 miles ( 2nd engine -bought a wreck and used the engine) and then I sold it for 6k in 2006 for a Miata. Wish I kept it as now they are worth more $$$. But I wanted a change.
I bought my first Nikon that year and got married (in 1972). The only thing left is the wife
I got pictures -if anybody wants to see them. Maybe I should post the parts car- it looks like out of a wrecking yard.

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/bmw/2002

Sounds like whomever got your 2002 BMW got one hell of a deal...

gotart · Jan 9, 2020

Yeah- I know- they did get a deal- Just needed to separate myself from it. Not the original color. the original was the piss yellow/green.ugh.
https://gotart.smugmug.com/72-2002/n-JTFs2V
I know way off topic.

MyVolvoS60 · Jan 11, 2020

gotart said:
Yeah- I know- they did get a deal- Just needed to separate myself from it. Not the original color. the original was the piss yellow/green.ugh.
https://gotart.smugmug.com/72-2002/n-JTFs2V
I know way off topic.

Almost like a conversation a family friend and I had some years back. When I was a kid in the 1980s, the family friend use to take my brother and I to local car shows, where he showed off his 1960s Ford Mustangs. I can't remember years and models, but it's not important. Conversation devolved into "Man I wish I still had those cars today". They'd be worth a fortune. Very true, but like with your vehicle, one never knows.

1970s Mustangs don't command much money and there are still plenty of classic cars whose value never appreciated. So one never knows and it boils down to luck of the draw.

SKY-KING · Mar 21, 2020

Yesterday, I had my oil changed at the dealer and when checking out my service advisor reviewed the work performed. He wanted me to know that from now on, Volvo is requiring that Castrol Edge Professional V 0W-20 oil must be used when any oil service is completed for "All model year vehicles (2015-)". He provided me with a copy of Volvo's TIE, Technical Information Exchange, Ref No. US 34740 1.3 en-US, dated 1-27-20. It is "Updated to include all model year vehicles built using the 4 cylinder VEP engine". It also states "Volvo will not pay for any oil maintenance claims that are performed without using Castrol Edge Professional V 0W-20 oil" It also states, "The U.S. and Canadian markets will follow the extreme driving conditions recommendation".

rkohou · Mar 22, 2020

This has been all over the forum earlier. Every 2020 comes with a supplement to the user manual with this page.

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Advantages of 0W20 over 5W30?

brett_xc90

MyVolvoS60

Tech

drmanny3

Tech

MyVolvoS60

Tech

MyVolvoS60

BusteRT6

gotart

MyVolvoS60

Row57

gotart

kevinG

MyVolvoS60

MyVolvoS60

gotart

MyVolvoS60

SKY-KING

rkohou

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