5w30 Used Oil Analysis - Less Wear Than 0w20

[24tacoman]

I just got my Blackstone UOA back for my first 5w30 oil change. The results seem to show that wear has improved over 0w20, and that the operating viscosity of 5w30 is not even that much greater than 0w20.

Both UOA's in this report were under the exact same driving conditions and very similar temperature ranges. All else equal, it seems like 5w30 is the superior oil for engine wear characteristics and longevity in my case. I do 90% highway driving and long trips. OCI is every 5000 km.

It gets to -40C regularly where I live, so I will continue using 0w20 for the winter months, as most wear occurs on cold starts. However, for April-October, 5w30 is the clear answer for me.

I think this is proof enough for me to continue using 5w30 in the summer, as I now have statistical data showing 5w30 as the superior lubricant for my use case. The note of the oil being a thinner viscosity for its grade is probably due to the fact that PUP typically has a lower viscosity than other 5w30 grade oils or some 0w20 from the last oil change interval.

I have noticed negligible fuel economy differences (less than 0.1 L/100km) and the engine sounds way quieter and smoother while idling. The D4S still makes it sound like a small diesel but the valvetrain noise is significantly reduced. Thanks to the variable displacement oil pump, oil pressure is the same as it was when I was using 0w20 across the RPM range. It is slightly higher (just over 3/4 bars) at cold startup, but once at operating temperature it is in a perfectly acceptable range at 2 3/4 bars at 2050 RPM in 6th gear on the highway.

Anyways, I hope this can help some folks make an informed decision on what oil viscosity to use, and if fuel economy / emissions are more important than engine wear and longevity. I am not telling anyone to switch to 5w30, just adding to the data pool of evidence that would support such a decision.

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[IDontWorkForTheWaterCo]

I just got my Blackstone UOA back for my first 5w30 oil change. The results seem to show that wear has improved over 0w20, and that the operating viscosity of 5w30 is not even that much greater than 0w20.

Both UOA's in this report were under the exact same driving conditions and very similar temperature ranges. All else equal, it seems like 5w30 is the superior oil for engine wear characteristics and longevity in my case. I do 90% highway driving and long trips. OCI is every 5000 km.

It gets to -40C regularly where I live, so I will continue using 0w20 for the winter months, as most wear occurs on cold starts. However, for April-October, 5w30 is the clear answer for me.

I think this is proof enough for me to continue using 5w30 in the summer, as I now have statistical data showing 5w30 as the superior lubricant for my use case. The note of the oil being a thinner viscosity for its grade is probably due to the fact that PUP typically has a lower viscosity than other 5w30 grade oils or some 0w20 from the last oil change interval.

I have noticed negligible fuel economy differences (less than 0.1 L/100km) and the engine sounds way quieter and smoother while idling. The D4S still makes it sound like a small diesel but the valvetrain noise is significantly reduced. Thanks to the variable displacement oil pump, oil pressure is the same as it was when I was using 0w20 across the RPM range. It is slightly higher (just over 3/4 bars) at cold startup, but once at operating temperature it is in a perfectly acceptable range at 2 3/4 bars at 2050 RPM in 6th gear on the highway.

Anyways, I hope this can help some folks make an informed decision on what oil viscosity to use, and if fuel economy / emissions are more important than engine wear and longevity. I am not telling anyone to switch to 5w30, just adding to the data pool of evidence that would support such a decision.

Appreciate you posting this. I'm waiting to see what LakeSpeed has to say about his Tacoma running 5w30.

 

[laidouttaco]

couldn't agree more. I've been running Valvoline 5w30 premium extended protection since day 1.

 

[GSPHerder]

Thanks, that's what Ive been thinking. 2k more miles and Ill do my first 5w-30 analysis.

I wonder if Redline might hold the viscosity better, I'm pretty sure it will but the next question would be does it matter? Since the PUP is thinning a bit, might be a good blend thru winter?

 

[Rubenc87]

It doesn't get that cold in my area. Will wait to see the results.

 

[IDontWorkForTheWaterCo]

5w30 is rated to around -25° F

 

[JayTech]

Not here to refute 5w30 protecting more against wear as thicker oils will definitely do that, but strictly looking at the data, comparing an oil analysis at 25k to one at 80k doesn't give an exact apples to apples comparison. Aluminum is at the same level and iron is slightly less but that could also be due to the engine having more miles on it and the wear amount has reached a plateau where levels will stay consistent now. In the comments they even said themselves that wear is about the same or slightly lower.
Overall though numbers look great, which is an indication of a healthy motor, so I see no reason this engine won't last a very long time(even seeing 0w20 analysis results looks great). There is also absolutely zero harm in running 5w30 so for those that want to they can without fear of any major problems.

 

[24tacoman]

Not here to refute 5w30 protecting more against wear as thicker oils will definitely do that, but strictly looking at the data, comparing an oil analysis at 25k to one at 80k doesn't give an exact apples to apples comparison. Aluminum is at the same level and iron is slightly less but that could also be due to the engine having more miles on it and the wear amount has reached a plateau where levels will stay consistent now. In the comments they even said themselves that wear is about the same or slightly lower.
Overall though numbers look great, which is an indication of a healthy motor, so I see no reason this engine won't last a very long time(even seeing 0w20 analysis results looks great). There is also absolutely zero harm in running 5w30 so for those that want to they can without fear of any major problems.

This is true. 25,000 km may still have some break in materials and extra engine wear due to being a newer engine, and this is probably why silicone levels were higher in the 1st oil analysis. However, there is a ton of fear mongering online that the engine will explode if you dare use 5w30, when in reality viscosity is about the same as 0w20 at operating temp and it has better protection and wear characteristics. Only downside of 5w30 in my opinion is low temperature performance which most certainly comes into play where I live. I will have to do another UOA in the fall when I switch back to PUP 0w20 and compare results.

 

[JayTech]

This is true. 25,000 km may still have some break in materials and extra engine wear due to being a newer engine, and this is probably why silicone levels were higher in the 1st oil analysis. However, there is a ton of fear mongering online that the engine will explode if you dare use 5w30, when in reality viscosity is about the same as 0w20 at operating temp and it has better protection and wear characteristics. Only downside of 5w30 in my opinion is low temperature performance which most certainly comes into play where I live. I will have to do another UOA in the fall when I switch back to PUP 0w20 and compare results.

Unfortunately a lot of the fear mongering comes from people that misunderstand oil viscosities or use outdated knowledge. While there are definitely some niche cases where tolerances are too tight for thicker fluids, most new vehicles use thinner oils only for emissions compliance. Typically modern vehicles oil pumps can handle thicker oils, you will just see an increase in oil pressure.
But if you want the benefits of 5w30 without the issues in the extreme cold, you could also try 0w30. Same viscosity at operating temp but better flow in extreme cold.

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