In general, is it ok to use 0w20 instead of 5w20? Pennzoil says it’s ok:
Pennzoil’s 0W synthetic motor oils offer the same protection as SAE 5W and gives the additional benefits of faster flow at start-up, enables faster engine warm up and delivers better fuel economy.
0w20 instead of 5w20?
just briefly ...
If you understand what the grade numbers represent, the answer to your question becomes clear ...
https://news.kixxoil.com/engine-oil-viscosity-explained/
Lets say your car takes 5w20. 0w20 and 5w20 perform identically at operating temperature (~10cSt). That viscosity is what your engine "likes". We do not yet have any oils that can remain thin enough to maintain 10 cSt at cold startup temperature, so we get as close as we can. This has been achieved through better oil refinement and production methods. Only recently have zero weight oils become commercially available. The lower the first number (5w, 0w, etc.) the thinner the oil is when cold, and the closer it is to your engine's ideal viscosity, making it lubricate better and start up easier.
Both 0w20 and 5w20 will work in the same engine. 0w20 is just slightly better, but the difference will be virtually imperceptible. (see the yellow + white lines on the graph below). You might see ever so slightly lower fuel consumption over the long term.
Personally I would choose the cheaper oil, unless they were very close in price.
#1 - you need to follow the posting instructions, and provide your vehicle details . Every time please. This particular question is especially engine dependent. There is no "generally".
#2 - The owner's manual is there to inform of what the vehicle needs. What does it say?
#3 - this question has come up multiple times before. Please use the search to read what people have said about it.
example ....
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/oil-specs-for-2016-nissan-frontier/
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/mr-scotty-please-help-me/
#1 I didn’t think it would be relevant what car, since the Pennzoil article doesn’t say “some vehicles” or whatnot; which is why I wanted to know “in general” for all cars that use 5W20.
2. I do understand that you should follow the owners manual. The car is a 2009 Ford Taurus SEL with 3.5L V6 and the manual says to use 5W20. But the whole reason I had asked was because of what Pennzoil said there.
3. My apologies for failing to do a search, as well as not providing the necessary information.
yup, I got ya. That's why I posted a followup with the explanation.
I wouldn't hesitate putting 0w20 in the Taurus, but I suspect that the added cost (it is more expensive right?) is probably not worth the tiny benefit. Unless maybe you live in Alaska.
Yeah that’s the same conclusion I came to after reading the previous threads. Thanks