0W-20 is a multi-grade oil used in smaller and lighter vehicles. It protects your engine, reduces sludge build-up, and guarantees improved fuel economy.
Since it’s a thin oil, many manufacturers and car owners prefer using 0W-20 over other motor oils in cars with modern engines.
Keep reading to discover the potential benefits of using 0W-20 oil. We’ll also help you determine if it’s the ideal oil for your car engine.
This Article Contains:
- Why Use 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil?
- What Does 0W-20 Mean on Motor Oil?
- What Are the Benefits of Using 0W-20 Oil?
- How Much Does 0W-20 Oil Cost
- 7 FAQs on 0W-20 Oil
- How Is 0W-20 Oil Different from Other Oils?
- Is 0W-20 Always Available as Synthetic Oil?
- Is 0W-20 Oil Good for Older Engines?
- Is 0W-20 Oil Bad for My Car?
- Do I Always Need to Use the Car’s Manual Recommended Oil?
- How Often Should I Change 0W-20 Oil in My Car?
- Can I Mix Two Different Brands of 0W-20 Oil?
Why Use 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil?
As newer car variants enter the market, vehicle manufacturers must provide better-quality engine oil to handle these machines.
A thin oil, like 0W-20, can handle these new vehicles and prolong their lifespan. In fact, most Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) use SAE 0W-20 engine oils to reduce emissions in new hybrid Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles.
0W-20 can be a full synthetic or a synthetic blend motor oil. A full synthetic or a synthetic blend oil flows better in low-temperature conditions without causing much friction among the engine’s moving parts.
But what does 0W-20 stand for?
Let’s find out.
What Does 0W-20 Mean on Motor Oil?
0W-20 is the designated grade for thin motor oil. Previously, single-grade oils (SAE 5W) were used in older vehicles, but multigrade (0W-20) oils were introduced to handle advanced cars.
These multigrade oils perform adequately at relatively high engine temperatures. Although they may not provide a thicker engine protection barrier, like 0W-30 or 5W-40 oil, they’re still a decent choice for your car in seasonal climates.
So, how are the grades allotted?
And what’s the purpose of the grades?
Grades of motor oils are assigned as per the specifications of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J300. These grades determine how your car’s engine oil will perform in different weathers.
When you start your car in winter or summer, you’ll notice a difference in how the engine oil flows and performs in these climates. This is because each oil has an oil weight, grade, and viscosity index that plays a significant role in its functionality.
Let’s explore these in detail:
- Oil weight: To gauge the weight of the oil (used interchangeably with “viscosity”), an automotive engineer will check its flow at a standard operating temperature of 100 °C (212 °F). The vehicle’s performance and oil consumption during this check will indicate whether it’s a thin or heavy oil. Thinner oils (less viscosity) offer improved fuel economy in most modern cars, whereas thicker oils (high viscosity) are better for lubrication in older cars.
- Viscosity grade: Motor oils are graded after testing their viscosity or how freely they flow at certain temperatures. In 0W-20, the “0” indicates that the oil can flow at 0 °F, and “W” indicates the oil is suitable for winter climate. Meanwhile, the “20” in the grade indicates how the oil works in higher temperatures. Usually, the higher the number, the better the performance of the oil in warmer weather.
Note: Since 0W oils have low viscosity, they perform better in cold-temperature conditions. But, being a thin oil, 0W motor oil also fairs well in warmer temperatures.
- Viscosity index: This index helps measure the oil’s performance as the temperature changes in your car’s engine. For consistency, it’s better for you to choose a 0W-20 oil with a higher viscosity index, as it allows the oil to perform stably even if the temperature changes.
Note: Always refer to your manufacturer’s product data sheet and owner’s manual to choose the right oil for your car. Using one with incompatible oil viscosity can result in harmful chemical deposits, affecting engine health and fuel efficiency.
Besides handling newer cars with a modern engine, 0W-20 oil is more valuable than you think. Let’s see how.
What Are the Benefits of Using 0W-20 Oil?
0W-20 synthetic oil protects your car from premature engine wear and tear. But, it also:
- Prevents dirt and grime buildup in your car’s engine
- Increases the lifespan of your vehicle’s critical engine parts
- Improves your car’s fuel economy and efficiency
- Reduces the need for frequent oil change services compared to other oils
- Helps reduce harmful emissions from your vehicle
These benefits make 0W-20 oil a cost-effective and sustainable solution. However, it’s not recommended for two-wheelers and aviation vehicles since they operate at extremely high temperatures.
Were the benefits convincing?
If so, let’s check how much you’ll have to spend to buy it.
How Much Does 0W-20 Oil Cost?
The average amount you’ll spend on purchasing 0W-20 motor oil is between $20 and $650. The price depends on the brand, the seller, and the quantity of oil you purchase.
Here’s how much a few popular oil brands charge for 0W-20 motor oil:
- Pennzoil Platinum: $23.78 for 5 quarts
- Castrol Edge: $31.98 for 5 quarts
- Mobil 1: $29.97 for 5 quarts
- Amsoil Signature Series: $15.49 per quart bottle
- Royal Purple: $34.99 for 5 quarts
- Valvoline: $39.99 for 5 quarts
- Ford WSS M2C952 A1: $20.46 for 5 liters
Now that you’ve got a good idea about the oil, its advantages, and its costs, let’s look at some relevant queries you may have about 0W-20 oils.
7 FAQs on 0W-20 Oil
Here are answers to some common questions that’ll help you understand the 0W-20 motor oil better:
1. How Is 0W-20 Oil Different from Other Motor Oils?
0W-20 synthetic oil has a versatile operating temperature range. It provides excellent cold-temperature performance and decent hot-temperature performance.
Compared to other oils like 0W-30 and 5W-20, you won’t notice much of a difference. According to the manufacturer’s product information, 0W-20 is slightly more heavy-duty, meaning it will act better in a low-temperature climate. Still, there won’t be a noticeable difference in engine efficiency.
But compared to higher viscosity grade oils like 10W-30 or 20W-50, 0W-20 is a much thinner oil. It will provide superior low-temperature performance and flow smoothly through the engine’s moving parts with almost zero friction.
On the other hand, 20W-50 is a high-temperature motor oil that’s more resistant to thermal breakdown. It’s not ideal for everyday vehicles, being better suited to heavy-duty diesel and gasoline engine models.
2. Is 0W-20 Always Available as Synthetic Oil?
Yes, 0W-20 oil is usually available as synthetic oil as it’s made by combining additives and synthetic base oil (API SN oil).
A winter viscosity lubricant, like 0W motor oil, needs these components for the following reasons:
- The use of additives (chemical compounds) helps improve the 0W-20 lubricating function.
- The addition of synthetic base oil offers superior performance and better fuel economy than any other conventional motor oil. Additionally, 0W-20 oil formulation with a synthetic SAE base can help prevent oil breakdown, sludge build-up, and engine wear.
3. Is 0W-20 Motor Oil Good for Older Engines?
0W-20 engine oil is good for older engines or high-mileage cars. Regardless of your engine’s age, the oil provides stable driving performance in cold temperature conditions and climates.
In older passenger cars, fully synthetic blend motor oil or semi-synthetic motor oil also offers more fuel efficiency and prevents oil breakdown compared to conventional oil. Additionally, it offers a longer oil change interval.
However, if your car is very old and has specific engine oil requirements (certain additives or mileage limits), you can look for a specially formulated high-mileage oil.
4. Is 0W-20 Engine Oil Bad for My Car?
It depends. Using engine oils with a slightly lower or higher oil viscosity isn’t bad for your car. However, it’s important to determine whether it’s good for your car’s overall health and performance.
For a modern car, especially a hybrid vehicle, 0W-20 oil is far more suitable than any other conventional motor oil. But if you have an older car, you can use oils with a higher viscosity grade, too.
5. Do I Always Need to Use the Car’s Manual Recommended Oil?
Not always. Generally, 0W-30, 5W-20, and 5W-30 oil grades are at par with 0W-20 oil. So you can use them if 0W-20 oil isn’t available. These oils are similar to 0W-20 and flow smoothly through the engine.
They also offer similar benefits, including improved engine performance, better fuel economy, and reduced sludge build-up.
If you’re unsure about the best oil for your car, consult your mechanic or refer to the owner’s manual for the recommended oil viscosity. You’d also want to ensure the 0W-20 oil you select has SAE, API SP, and an ILSAC GF 6A industry grading label on the bottle.
Here’s what those labels mean:
- On SAE 0W-20, “SAE” indicates that the oil complies with the recommended viscosity standards.
- API SP and ILSAC GF 6A labels refer to oil performance standards for cars and light trucks, offering high performance and engine protection.
Remember that despite using the correct grade of oil, poor oil change habits can still wear out your engine and lead to sludge deposits. So, you should get your car’s engine checked routinely by a mechanic to avoid trouble.
6. How Often Should I Change 0W-20 Oil in My Car?
Your car may require an oil change every six months or between 5,000 and 7,500 miles.
However, it also depends on your vehicle’s age, oil-monitoring system, or whether the dipstick signals a low oil level.
7. Can I Mix Two Different Brands of 0W-20 Oil?
You can mix 0W-20 engine oil from different brands if the American Petroleum Institute (API) label and viscosity grades match. Otherwise, mixing 0W-20 oils isn’t recommended.
Make Routine Oil Change Effortless with AutoNation Mobile Service
0W oils can do wonders for the car’s critical engine parts. It provides excellent cold start performance and lubricates each engine part in all temperatures.
An oil change may be a minor auto repair service, but you shouldn’t skip it. To ensure your engine parts last long and function without any hiccups, you should maintain a regular oil change interval and get routine car checks.
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