Engine Oil Viscosity Redux

Since oil viscosity is often discussed on the forum, I think this new video is pertinent. If you don't want to watch the whole thing, it concludes by suggesting you are best off using the oil viscosity recommended by the manufacturer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0VoEhW2I-E

 

Ok, but which one, specifically? The singular one on the oil fill cap, or any of the broad range listed in the service manual depending on your temperature conditions and use case?

 

And the country you are in! Mexico recommendations are different from USA, due to the government.

 

Kirkland extra virgin olive oil for me! Works great, and when it comes out it’s no longer extra virgin.

 

Engineering Explained is awesome, also, if you guys really want to go down the oil rabbit hole check out The Motor Oil Geek as well.

 

…….This is Maddness!

 

As long as you stay at or below winter viscosity and at or 10 above opp temp viscosity you’re gonna be fine. Been running 0w30 in mine since I tuned it and I’m at 220k with 5 year tune and steel bumper sliders engine and transmission skid plate topper and steel rear bumper with hammer hangers and crossbar. Blackstone analysis says 0w30 is doing great in my truck. I treat mine as if I’m driving in severe conditions year round

 

It is a good video with a lot of good points. However, I personally think he undermined the benefits of thicker oil a bit. I’m not going to get into all of it because I doubt anyone wants me to ramble on and on about oil, but there are absolutely benefits to running something thicker. Mainly for the extra margin of safety should something go wrong - overheating, poor tolerances on the manufacturing where the thin oil can’t achieve hydrodynamic lubrication, etc.

If GM can solve the problem of a poorly manufactured engine by upping the viscosity, then who is to say all those 2GRs that failed at 40-100k miles couldn’t have doubled their life by running something 30 or 40 grade instead of 0W-20? In the ideal world, he is absolutely correct that 0W-20 would always work as tested and things would be great. But we don’t live in a perfect world, and 0W-20 indeed puts you closer to risk if something goes wrong. Obviously most will be fine, but it sure sucks if you got the engine with problems.

And I’m still going to bring up the same point I always do - why do other countries get temperature charts for the same engine? Why does the only version of the factory service manual for all countries have 15W-40 listed in it? Because politics. Politics is the only reason why our owner’s manual says what it does. Run whatever you want, most will be fine on the manufacturer spec…however, there absolutely can and will be benefits to going with something a bit more viscous, and usually with no downsides (not even reduced efficiency). I can’t help but wonder if any of the failed motors would have held up better with a different oil spec.

 

I wonder if your teeth would last longer if you used a different type of toothpaste

After Chuck Norris visited the Virgin Islands












They were just .. the Islands

 

Are they recommending thinner and thinner toothpastes or something?

 

As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned to just keep my mouth shut, or my personal favorite when I’m in the mood is post and ghost.

Having been a mechanic for almost 20 years I have my opinions. What I can say is use high quality oil/filter and change it every 5k, it won’t solve all your problems but it’s cheap insurance.

 

I wonder if dentists argue fluoride on their forums and it quickly devolves into a total shit show just like oil and tire threads on all other forums.

 

Just for the health of it… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5TzpLBfP2Y

 

The more important question is if someone made a video about toothpastes, would you click on it?

The future income of content creators depends on it.

These guys aren't making oil videos because they care deeply about oil engineering. They make these videos because they know they can trigger ocd vehicle owners to click on them.

 

No, toothpaste does not interest me.

I’m sure you probably didn’t watch the video. Regardless, whether he did it for money or not is not really the point - the information in it is still mostly valid. Making money on youtube does not mean that the content has to be garbage - that is just a false equivalency fallacy.

 

I know, I'm just making fun of a topic that has been beaten to death

They go with what sells.

And if you can convince someone that their "right to choose an engine oil of their choice" is somehow being infringed by the EPA, the manufacturer, or some "big brother" type of thing beyond their control.. and the vehicle they're so proud of is possibly at risk of damage.. they'll eat it up. People love that shit

Clickety.. clickety.. clickety.. click..click..click..

 

Erl

 

Cant find virgins anymore just extra slutty...

 

Just changed mine at 35k with 0w-30 Mobil-1 AFE and the Mobil-1 filter. I have a hard time accepting the 0w water like cold viscosity, especially in warmer months. Summers in Alabama can get pretty toasty. I'll probably up it to 5w-30 at 40k but don't plan on going any thicker at this point.