Hmmmm........Why is 5W-20 engine oil so rare?

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L

LOLyourFace

Banned
Jun 1, 2002
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The manual says my mazda6 2003 should take 5W-20. I've went to Pepboys and Autozone and Pepboys didn't have 5W-20 at all and Autozone had 5W-20 but synthetic wasn't available.

1. Is it ok to feed 5W-30 instead even though the manual says 20? what's the diff between 20 and 30?

2. about synthetic oil, is it just marketing or does it really make a difference?

3. how come there are no 5W-20 that comes in synthetic?

thank you.
 
N

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
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0
1. 5w30 will work fine
2. It's msotly marketing. It is a better oil, but it's not 5 times better as the price would imply.
3. Probably cause hardly any cas ask for it, but I'm not sure as I'm not in charge of market research for any major oil companies.
 
M

m2kewl

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2001
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Originally posted by: LOLyourFace
i bought mobil 1 5W-30 synthetic then.. that should do the trick for a new car right?
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should be fine, i went from regular dino to synthetic after the second oil change.
 
L

LeeTJ

Diamond Member
Jan 21, 2003
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Originally posted by: LOLyourFace
The manual says my mazda6 2003 should take 5W-20. I've went to Pepboys and Autozone and Pepboys didn't have 5W-20 at all and Autozone had 5W-20 but synthetic wasn't available.

1. Is it ok to feed 5W-30 instead even though the manual says 20? what's the diff between 20 and 30?

2. about synthetic oil, is it just marketing or does it really make a difference?

3. how come there are no 5W-20 that comes in synthetic?

thank you.
Click to expand...

WHY WHY would you want 5w-20?? wouldnt' you have to live in an area where it never went over 80 degrees F?? or so?

5w 30 should be fine, but mb wait for Roger to respond, he is the resident expert.
 
V

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
136
Perhaps you could consolidate your car threads into one thread entitled "I don't know jack about cars and will post questions here to avoid cluttering your forum."

Thanks.

Viper GTS
 
L

LOLyourFace

Banned
Jun 1, 2002
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Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Perhaps you could consolidate your car threads into one thread entitled "I don't know jack about cars and will post questions here to avoid cluttering your forum."

Thanks.

Viper GTS
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maybe you should find me a nice active auto forum so I can stop bothering you guys.. :)
 
M

m2kewl

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2001
8,263
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Originally posted by: LOLyourFace
Originally posted by: Viper GTS Perhaps you could consolidate your car threads into one thread entitled "I don't know jack about cars and will post questions here to avoid cluttering your forum." Thanks. Viper GTS
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maybe you should find me a nice active auto forum so I can stop bothering you guys.. :)
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maybe you should use google...;)
 
A

agnitrate

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2001
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Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Perhaps you could consolidate your car threads into one thread entitled "I don't know jack about cars and will post questions here to avoid cluttering your forum."

Thanks.

Viper GTS
Click to expand...

:D

-silver
 
The Stigenator

The Stigenator

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,216
3
81
My focus uses 5W20 and guess what its a ford specific one.

You konw where I can get it.. Autozone.. look for Motorcraft brand.. that's the brand that ford uses.
 
bunker

bunker

Lifer
Apr 23, 2001
10,572
0
71
Originally posted by: The_good_guy
My focus uses 5W20 and guess what its a ford specific one.

You konw where I can get it.. Autozone.. look for Motorcraft brand.. that's the brand that ford uses.
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My F-150 also takes 5W20. I'm a lazy bastard and have it changed at a Valvoline shop where they use, you guessed it, Valvoline 5W20. They've never not had it, but they don't have it in one of their regular pumps, they put in individual bottles.
 
V

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
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The 5W20 is a gimmick to save Ford and Honda money. It makes their gas milage look sligtly better, so they have to pay less tax/pentitiales to the goverment. The average driver will not notice the Diff. between 5w20 and 10W30.

I would just use 5W30 if you live in a cold climate, and 10W30 if you live in a warmer climate.

 
Pliablemoose

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
The 5W20 is a gimmick to save Ford and Honda money. It makes their gas milage look sligtly better, so they have to pay less tax/pentitiales to the goverment. The average driver will not notice the Diff. between 5w20 and 10W30.

I would just use 5W30 if you live in a cold climate, and 10W30 if you live in a warmer climate.
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Yep, I was shocked to see the 5W20 recommended on my F-150, read a few threads about oil & agree with Marlin...

 
bunker

bunker

Lifer
Apr 23, 2001
10,572
0
71
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
The 5W20 is a gimmick to save Ford and Honda money. It makes their gas milage look sligtly better, so they have to pay less tax/pentitiales to the goverment. The average driver will not notice the Diff. between 5w20 and 10W30.

I would just use 5W30 if you live in a cold climate, and 10W30 if you live in a warmer climate.
Click to expand...

Since I don't fully understand this stuff, how does it help gas mileage?
 
V

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
9
0
Originally posted by: bunker
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
The 5W20 is a gimmick to save Ford and Honda money. It makes their gas milage look sligtly better, so they have to pay less tax/pentitiales to the goverment. The average driver will not notice the Diff. between 5w20 and 10W30.

I would just use 5W30 if you live in a cold climate, and 10W30 if you live in a warmer climate.
Click to expand...

Since I don't fully understand this stuff, how does it help gas mileage?
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It takes less work fromt eh motor to move the oil around inside. The thinner it is the easier it is to move.

So yes it does move a little easier, but not enough for the average driver to notice. And I would not want a 20 weight oil in my car if I was making long drives, hot weather, and/or towing.

I always use 10W30 Mobil

 
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