yeah I think it’s pretty much 5w20 daily driving for the win.

Due to topping off factory fill with a 5w30 (when I realized I was a little over a half quart low) I reckon I’m probably at like a 3w23 partial synthetic right now. 😝🤘

 

Lol, I just watched this a few minutes before checking out the forum.

 

I’m a true boost believer in the 5w20! I don’t think I will ever touch 0w20! I am running 5w30 in the warmer months since I fear full throttle wear more than start up wear! Part of me thinks I may even be better off with 5w30 even in winter months in the coastal pnw.

 

Keep in mind while fun to watch, the results from his tests do not tell the whole story. Of course 0w16 is thinner than the rest. It should be. That doesnt automatically mean its not capable of doing its job. It all comes down to bearing clearances. An engine designed for 0w16 is going to have very tight tolerances. Shoving 5w30 in it because "its better" can have adverse effects. Initial flow is going to be slow and cause excessive wear at startup for example. Also the cold tests in the video were mostly determined by the fully frozen slug at the end of each tube, not so much by the oil under it. Conducting flow tests under zero pressure (unlike in actual use) is not how those tests are done. And last his comment of "both 0w oils should flow at the same rate in the cold" is completely false and a common misconception.

 

Thx for chiming in TB. The video is fun to watch as it’s more than just the numbers we see on the oil analysis charts. Without your input, I too would have incorrectly thought every 0w or 5w would flow the same at cold temps . With your guidance I think I will stick to the 5w20 plan for winter.

 

Toyota in Europe uses 0W-8 in their latest hybrids. I would be really interested to see some tests or analysis results.

https://azupim01.motul.com/media/motulData/DO/base/hybrid_0w8_en_fr_motul_20200529.pdf

 

That said I run 5w20 in my new Impreza that calls for 0w16. The viscosities overlap almost entirely across the board. The 5w20 will be a little thicker at full temp but just barely so it will flow like an almost fully warmed up 0w16. If it were a toyota I would just trust what it said on the filler cap. I dont like the history of subaru and oil problems. I will go with what I know works.