semi OT - 5W20 oil...

[Jim Saraceno]

I recently bought a Jeep Patriot. The manufacturer calls for 5W20 motor oil. Over at the Jeep Patriot forum there is a raging debate over whether 5W20 gives adequate protection or if it is just a method to get better government mandated gas mileage.

One of the arguments against 5W20 is that it is suposedly not available anywhere outside the USA and Chrysler sent a memorandum to their European dealers to change to 5W30, therefore, if it is not good enough for Europeans, why is it good enough for our cars.

My question is... Does anyone know why 5W20 oil is not avialable overseas? (Or is that not accurate?)

[Norm's Coupe]

That weight oil does seem to be a little thin. I can't answer your question. However, I wouldn't worry about getting adequate protection. If Chrysler is still giving the lifetime warranty and the light weight oil is the cause of engine failure because of it, it's their problem to fix any damage to the engine. If you use a different weight and something happened, it could possibly void your warranty.

[Merle Coggins]

my '06 Furd F150 specs 5W-20 semi synthetic. I believe most car manufacturers are now specing that viscosity of oil. And I believe you are correct in assuming it has something to do with fuel economy.

Merle

[billwillard]

All tolerances are much closer today then when our engines were built.

[55 Fargo]

Samething is recommended for my 2005 Dodge Caravan here in Canada, it is sold here BTW, but I use 5 W 30 instead.........Fred

[55 Fargo]

This is true Bill ,but I don't think the tolerances are that much closer than 5 or 10 years ago, are they?

I am using 5w30 in my 2005 Dodge Caravan, Chrysler calls for 5w20, but I still use 5w30 oil..............Fred

[Lou Earle]

On my f-150 I bought in 2003 it had a big warning in steering wheel and in the owners manual- uste 5 w 20 for first 36000 or so mile otherwise warranty was void- so I guess tolerances are very close now

[Mr. Belvedere]

My 02' Ford Escape also uses 5w20 semi synthetic motorcraft oil. That is all I have ever used in it since day one. Currently I have 136,000 miles on it and going strong. I also use it to tow a rather large tent trailer that weighs over 2700lbs on summer vacations sometimes up some serious mountain grades in burning heat of summer and not even a bit of trouble. In fact the engine feels as strong today as it did when new.

[Guest 51plymouthod]

If you want some interesting information, Google your modern vehicle requiring 5W-20 oil for another Country's recommended viscosity. For example our new Toyota Tacoma 2TR-FE (2.7L 4 cyl.) calls for either 0W-20 or 5W-20 in the U.S. On the Mobil Australia website, the same engine in the Hi-Lux (their equivalent of the Tacoma) pickup calls for 5W-50 Mobil 1 (not available in the U.S.) or Mobil 1 10W-30.

Our Tacoma has Mobil 1 5W-20 in it now (5,500 miles), but Summer's coming on, and the next change will be to 5W-30, because TX summers are HOT.

We tow appx. 5,000 pounds in our 2003 V-8 Tundra, and I run 5W-40 Mobil Delvac 1 in it. The old Camry has 210,000 miles and I have the same oil in it as the Tundra. Doesn't burn a drop between 5,000 to 6,000 mile changes.

The P-23 Plymouth and Dodge B-1-C pickup both have Mobil 1 HM 10W-40, a very 'robust' oil, in them.

My bottom line: Just because EPA makes it politically correct to run 20 weight oil in the U. S., car manufacturer recommendations in other Nations differ...so, if you want to run a heavier oil for whatever reason, you CAN discover Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, GM or whomever recommend them, as well. Now, I must admit, Ford, Honda and others have proven over the past 5 years or so, that their engines hold up quite well over the long term with 20 wt. old.