0w-20 oil change for Sonata Hybrid

[yaziats]

Another question for everyone (and I did search this forum before posting; apologies if this was already covered):

I've seen recommendations for 0w-20, but have also seen posts (for other makes/models) on other grades that may be better under certain conditions. How's this been in the cold in your HSH? How about in hot climates?

What have you been using (brand, rating), and what's your climate like?

I live in NY now, but will likely be moving to West Palm Beach, FL area in next couple months.

THanks!

PS: I took a look at Motor Oil 101 - Bob is the Oil Guy but honestly, I only got a few lines into it before giving up....

[snead_c]

Originally Posted by yaziats

Another question for everyone (and I did search this forum before posting; apologies if this was already covered):

I've seen recommendations for 0w-20, but have also seen posts (for other makes/models) on other grades that may be better under certain conditions. How's this been in the cold in your HSH? How about in hot climates?

What have you been using (brand, rating), and what's your climate like?

I live in NY now, but will likely be moving to West Palm Beach, FL area in next couple months.

THanks!

PS: I took a look at Motor Oil 101 - Bob is the Oil Guy but honestly, I only got a few lines into it before giving up....

My opinion :
Since you're moving to a warm climate stick to 5w-20 since the added viscosity of 0w is not needed.
If staying in NY thru the winter the 0 weight might be a tad better on those very cold mornings but not called for.
I doubt you'd see any noticable improvement in MPG and starting issues.

[sbr711]

0-20,, MAYBE in the Great White north plains/icepacks of Alaska/North Pole,, but cant see a valid reason around here.

5/30 should be all anybody ever need, maybe 10/30 south of Tennessee / central California line drawn east-west

[yaziats]

Thanks for the beedback. I think the idea in using 0w-20 was that something that runs thinner/lighter reduces drag = better MPG. You two may be right in that it's not worth the "slight" increase in risk/wear(?)

How much of an MPG increase are people getting in the HSH?

How as 0w-20 been in hot climates (FL, CA, TX, etc.)?

[reglee51]

The first number should not matter once the engine is warmed up. In hot climates, it'll warm up faster so it's less of a reason to go with 0-20. In fact if it's too hot out and you run 0-20 you might not get sufficient lubrication initially. However, I doubt that difference is measurable just as I doubt the mpg improvement will be measurable.

[football751]

I went with M1 0W-20 at my first (and only so far) oil change. I live in Texas and haven't seen any MPG difference. But a "cold" engine is anything under 100F at least, so I'm not worried about not having enough lubrication when I start.

[carnold535]

My dealer is putting in Quaker State 5W-20 synthetic and I'm averaging 37 mpg down here in Florida. It gets quite warm down here in the summer. Nothing wrong with a little extra viscosity and protection for your engine when it gets warm down here.

Chuck

[reglee51]

The older visitors to this site will remember that I've been advocating 5w20 vs 0w20... I just want to justify my position. I went looking for a viscosity/temp chart comparing 5w20 to 0w20 and couldn't find one easily but take a look at the one linked below (5w20 vs 0w10). The viscosity is about half between the 0 and the 5 even at 180degrees. As I said, I don't work in the engine industry but I do work in Tribology... I believe that the lubricant pressure generated due to hydrodynamic lubrication is roughly proportional to the viscosity of the fluid (all else equal). I believe pressure is also a function of the 1/(gap size squared) all else equal. Therefore, the equilibrium gap size is roughly 30% reduced for the 0W vs 5W @180C. The gap is also hugely a function of sliding speed... therefore this effect is most significant at low engine speeds. Overly simplified... engine wear occurs when the equilibrium gap is smaller than the predetermined engineered gap size (probably based on surface finishes or surface tolerances) which results in localized contact between the two surfaces.
So... cold engine + low speeds + low viscosity oil seems like a recipe to increase engine wear.
However, the benefits from 0W oil is minimal. Oil drag is a function of viscosity but we have low speeds and low duration (low cumulative effect). Additionally, as an engineer, it bothers me that engine wear is not an immediately measurable effect (sure you can measure engine oil contamination.. but what's a 'good' or 'bad' % of engine oil contamination???) . Keep in mind that MPG reduction is immediately measurable. Therefore, it's my own opinion that the safer choice is to go with the Hyundai recommended 5W20 oil which satisfies the potential but immeasurable (until engine failure!) wear concerns but yields no immediately measurable MPG reduction.

http://www.elephantracing.com/techto...emperature.htm

[rbbayernde]

I've been using Mobile 1 5W-20 Synthetic oil, for my last two services.
I'm getting right at 44.4 mpg. Also I use pure gas, which costs about 20 cents more a gallon. But I also take turns with my Mom's car and have only had to fill up at least once a month.

[yaziats]

Thanks all. Hmmm, starting to wonder about the benefits of 0w-20. Doesn't sound like there's too much going for it, or am I missing something?