5w20 vs 5w30 for MN

[MNstang]

Hey guys. I know this has been discussed quite a bit and I have read a ton of posts on the subject but wanted to discuss this again. I know the manual calls out 5w20 for normal use but I'm trying to decide between the two. My car is parked from December 1st through April 1st and will be driven several times per week during the rest of the year. Temps will range from 30 (occasionally) up to a max around 90-95. I am hoping to do some 1/4 mile runs this summer and the manual calls for 5w30 during track use. So, if it was your car under these conditions would you use 5w-20 and not worry about a couple 1/4 mile runs, change oil to 5w30 for a track day OR just run 5w30 for everything? I would plan to change oil after a track day either way but it seems like a waste to drain 5w20 oil with 1,000-2,000 miles on it to put in 5w30 for one day and then change back to 5w20...

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[EFI]

When they mean track days, they usually mean road course events where you go WOT for 20 minutes straight, 3-4 times in a day.

Going to a drag strip for WOT for 12 seconds 3-4 times in day is not really an issue where you have to change the oil.

I see no reason you'd have to switch it more often than 5000 miles in your case, and I'd go with the 5w30 seeing as how you're only using it in the summer.

 

[GregO]

Competitive drag racers use 20wt with the motor chilled down to 60 deg F. Or less.
0W-20 will get the job done nicely.

 

[EFI]

Competitive drag racers use 20wt with the motor chilled down to 60 deg F. Or less.

What are the odds the OP will be running his engine at 60*F CHTs?

Competitive drag racers also run nitromethane in their engines which probably cost 3x what the OP paid for his entire car.

Competitive drag racers also tear down their engines and re-build them completely between every run. What are the odds the OP wants to do that?

 

[GregO]

What are the odds the OP wants to do that?

What are the odds you totally missed my point.


ProStock, SuperComp, etc.
Top Fuel wasn’t even on my radar.
Here’s a great write up that’s not to deep in the weeds. Enjoy.

https://www.enginebuildermag.com/20...ghts-of-drag-racing-choose-light-weight-oils/

 

[Matti777]

5W30 should be fine IMHO. Both are recommended oils. 5W20 and 5W30 are basically the same in cold temps for cold starts.

 

[MNstang]

Thanks for the input guys. I think either will work too - the car is always stored in a heated garage so even the cold starts aren't below 45 degrees. I know some guys are using the 5w30 with no issues to date. I'm guessing the car would be fine to make some 1/4 mile runs on 5w20 and not have any issues as well but there's probably a reason ford recommends 5w30 for more extreme conditions...

 

[Elp_jc]

I live in TX, where it gets both cold and hot, so I use M1 0w30, for the best of both worlds . I think that'd be the best for your situation too; 0w oils flow better than 5w when cold, and that's when the majority of engine wear occurs, so it only makes sense wanting an oil that will lubricate the engine properly the quickest. For places where it doesn't get hot in summer, I'd use 0w20. Most automakers are switching to 0wxx oils, since there's basically no drawback to have better lubrication when cold. Hope this helps.

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