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0w30 Anyone use it?

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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 06:52 PM
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0w30 Anyone use it?

I seen it for the first time today but didnt buy it. Claims to make your vehicle more fuel efficient. Does anyone use it and have a testimony.
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 06:53 PM
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noooooooo
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 07:10 PM
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I use royal purple 5W-30. Wouldn't think of anything else
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 08:03 PM
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moved to maintenance
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 08:12 PM
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I've run 5-20, same idea, thinner oil reduces parasitic losses to friction, gives more HP and better fuel econ. Most manufacturers have started shipping new cars with 5-30 or thinner for that reason. Downside is that it can break down easier in high temperature situations.

Won't hurt anything. Won't be enough to make a difference either IMO.
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 08:17 PM
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I was wondering about this type of oil too. I saw it at Walmart and says it exceeds 5w30 and 10w30 motor oils and give you better fuel economy
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted by drop-n-destroy
I was wondering about this type of oil too. I saw it at Walmart and says it exceeds 5w30 and 10w30 motor oils and give you better fuel economy
Thats where I seen it and was like wtf is that.
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 08:51 PM
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Only time 0w30 is going to have an advantage over 5w30 is when it is cold......brass monkeys loosing their ***** cold.
Good idea if you are starting up in -30 weather, pointless in the summer.

This Wiki entry is a good source, much easier to read than the API and SAE pages
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 10:59 PM
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Originally Posted by ItalianJoe1
I've run 5-20, same idea, thinner oil reduces parasitic losses to friction, gives more HP and better fuel econ. Most manufacturers have started shipping new cars with 5-30 or thinner for that reason. Downside is that it can break down easier in high temperature situations.

Won't hurt anything. Won't be enough to make a difference either IMO.
0W30 will not break down quicker in higher temps than 5W30.......the upper limit is the same, its just better than 5W30 for colder weather.......Not reccommended to use a 5W20 in any cobalt though as it does not have the same high temp properties.
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Old Apr 1, 2009 | 07:16 AM
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0W-30 tends to be thicker than 5W-30, it's weird how that is, but I lost a few MPGs using German Castrol 0W-30 in my Ford 4.6 V8 versus Mobil 1 5W-30. The German Castrol 0W-30 was the only Castrol Syntec to use a Group IV/V basestock versus the Group III "synthetic" used in many other products.

That said, Pennzoil Platinum and Quaker State Q Synth 5W-30 both meet GM's requirement for use in the LNF. Those oils are generally sold for $4/qt year-round at Wal-Mart. With today's economy, it might go up but it is still less expensive than Mobil 1. Mobil 1 was known to be Group III at one point prior to their new marketing gimmick of 5000, 7500, 15,000 mile formulations.
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Old Apr 1, 2009 | 07:22 AM
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we use 0w30 in the new 09+ lexus rx400h, and the 09+ lexus lx570. never questioned why, but id have to guess its for the fuel economy
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Old Apr 1, 2009 | 07:31 AM
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Originally Posted by cobaltls08
we use 0w30 in the new 09+ lexus rx400h, and the 09+ lexus lx570. never questioned why, but id have to guess its for the fuel economy
a cobalt is not a lexus
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Old Apr 1, 2009 | 07:41 AM
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Originally Posted by brickerenator
a cobalt is not a lexus
The LNF is more advanced than any engine offered by Lexus.
Turbocharged, direct-injected, variable valve timing, 30 MPG highway!

I'm not sure if there are any synthetic 0W-30's that meet the GM spec for 5W-30 (M1, Pennzoil Platinum, and Q Synth all meet it) but you're unlikely to see any gains in fuel economy. I would just stick with a synthetic 5W-30.

I was finally about to get rid of all our 5W-30 supply and do the full switchover to 5W-20, which is required for the Ford 4.6L 3V V8 in the Mustang and all of their V8s made post-2001. With the Cobalt, I have to buy a special oil filter and 5W-30 just for the LNF.
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Old Apr 1, 2009 | 12:05 PM
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I use Mobil 1 0W30 just int he winter. I plan to switch back to 5W30 here in the summer.
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Old Apr 1, 2009 | 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by 2007victoryred
I seen it for the first time today but didnt buy it. Claims to make your vehicle more fuel efficient. Does anyone use it and have a testimony.
I've been running Amsoil 0W30 all winter. I park outdoors and wanted the improved cold engine lubrication. I was planning to change it in the spring, but I still have 40% left on the oil monitor gauge, so I think I will just leave it.

I doubt you would see any measurable fuel economy increase.

BTW, what is your engine? I've got a 2.4 N.A. I am not sure I would want to run 0W30 in a SC or TC.

Last edited by Dave7417; Apr 1, 2009 at 09:13 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Old Apr 1, 2009 | 09:16 PM
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0W-30 is supposed to be thicker than 5W-30, contrary to what the numbers mean. I lost MPGs with 0W-30 vs 5W-30 (synthetic).
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Old Apr 1, 2009 | 09:18 PM
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Originally Posted by 2007victoryred
I seen it for the first time today but didnt buy it. Claims to make your vehicle more fuel efficient. Does anyone use it and have a testimony.
judging from your name, i'm assuming the lsj, not lnf...

as far as i've seen mobil 1 is the only 0w30 that meets the same gm standard identified for 5w30 (4718M). unless it has that standard (or successor if there is one) i'd stay away. if it does... i've thought about it, but haven't tried it yet. advantage of costco running their 5w30 mobil 1 6 pack for 24 bucks offers aand multiple family members having coupons i can mooch...
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Old Apr 1, 2009 | 11:02 PM
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Not too familiar with it but the closest I've come is I've used straight 30W to break in a few engines with but that's it....I use 5W-30 royal purple in my lsj
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Old Apr 1, 2009 | 11:06 PM
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im actually using it i got it from mobil 1 to tell you the truth doesnt feel much difference if anything i think it sucks
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Old Apr 2, 2009 | 11:16 PM
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Like it has already been mentioned, 0w-30 is only going to be "thinner" at cold tempuratures. Will you see better gas mileage, maybe but if you do it will only be until the coolant gets to about 150 degrees when the oil starts to become more like a 30w instead of a 0w. Like it was also said, unless you are in an arctic climate I don't think it is really going to do much of anything.

Also, you should never use a 5w-20 in the cobalt especially in an LSJ or LNF. The ecotec runs pretty hot and needs the extra vixcosity and thermal protection that a 30w oil provides.
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Old Apr 2, 2009 | 11:22 PM
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Originally Posted by metroplex
0W-30 is supposed to be thicker than 5W-30, contrary to what the numbers mean.
no it doesn't. please read about what these ratings mean before you spread misinformation.
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Old Apr 3, 2009 | 06:28 AM
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0W-30 is thicker than 5W-30 in some instances. Please look up the oil analysis reports and data. This is contrary to the ratings, so most people tend automatically assume 0W-30 is thinner than 5W-30.

http://www.automotivehelper.com/topic579760.htm
http://www.z06vette.com/forums/f4/oi...vs-5w30-15872/

This topic has been rehashed for nearly 4-5 years. Looking at Redline's 5W-30 vs 0W-30, the 0W-30 has a much lower pouring point but is actually thicker at 100C/212F (engine operating temperature):

http://www.redlineoil.com/pdf/4.pdf

Another example is German Castrol (which is a real synthetic, not like the other Syntecs) 0W-30 is thicker than Mobil 1's 5W-30.
Looking at M1's 0W-30 and 5W-30 (which btw both meet the GM 4718M spec for the SS/TC), the 0W-30 is thinner than the 5W-30 - as expected.
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Old Apr 3, 2009 | 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by metroplex
This topic has been rehashed for nearly 4-5 years. Looking at Redline's 5W-30 vs 0W-30, the 0W-30 has a much lower pouring point but is actually thicker at 100C/212F (engine operating temperature):

http://www.redlineoil.com/pdf/4.pdf
A difference of .3 in viscosity is hardly what I would consider "thicker". Also if you notice on the redline sheet the 0w-30 flash point is 62F lower than the 5w-30 which lower flash point can be considered a typical property of thinner oil.....
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Old Apr 3, 2009 | 08:03 PM
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I'm using Mobil 1 0W-30 and my overall economy hovers around 30MPG despite driving the G5 like I stole it.
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Old Apr 3, 2009 | 08:22 PM
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.3 can be the difference in days the oil was made it is never the same and that consistent. I use the 0w30 for one reason and one reason only: here it is cheaper. It will not harm your car, and the chances of getting better MPG's is slim to none.
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