Oil Viscosity and Weight

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

Do you have datalogs to support this? I actively monitored my temps with both and didn't see a difference. Granted, I only got to drive my car mostly between 45f and -15f.
Perhaps at high summer temperatures, there's a difference. This is the first I've heard of this though, why would the temperature differ so much?

As the ambient temperature gets a bit cooler I can certainly take a few logs before and after the next oil change if I remember. I just notice the average difference on the OFT display when I drive around in the spring and fall.

Typical ambient temperatures are 50f-70f when I switch over.

As for why this would happen, higher viscosity means the oil molecules like to stick together more. This means that more energy goes into making them slide over each other, resulting in greater heat contained within the oil, assuming all other conditions are equal.

[DarkPira7e]

Originally Posted by Spuds

As the ambient temperature gets a bit cooler I can certainly take a few logs before and after oil changes if I remember. I just notice the average difference on the OFT display when I drive around in the spring and fall.

So strange, I wouldn't think there'd be such a strong correlation. I want to test this with my car when it is back together so I can get my own datalogs, too!
Thank you for sharing a contrasting observation, it makes things a lot more fun, rather than people just nodding and hitting "Thanks!"

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

So strange, I wouldn't think there'd be such a strong correlation. I want to test this with my car when it is back together so I can get my own datalogs, too!
Thank you for sharing a contrasting observation, it makes things a lot more fun, rather than people just nodding and hitting "Thanks!"

It would also be pretty interesting if we got different results, possibly based on FI vs NA.

[JesseG]

Lots of great feedback, thanks all! Spuds you’re right I should have made a poll.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JesseG]

Originally Posted by pope

5w30

I'm fine with sacrificing a fraction of a percent of efficiency for a fraction of a percent better hot protection and wider availability. (Summer only car, so 0w vs 5w is irrelevant).

This is something I was curious about, engine protection in hotter climates. It gets hot as balls in Texas. I usually drive conservatively and don’t track my car. In the hottest part of the summer with the AC on my car feels very slow, and I don’t wring it out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JesseG]

Originally Posted by Spuds

Should have just made a poll.

Mobil 1, 5w30 in the summer, 0w20 in the winter, usually changed in April and October.

My car is NA. I notice a difference between the two weights, but it's probably just in my head.

There is a lot of voodoo and mystery whenever engine oil is brought up. I wouldn’t be surprised if you do feel a difference, even if it’s a placebo effect. It’s also good to see evidence of oil temps and wear indicators to decide on what oil to use.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JesseG]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

I ran 0w-20 and 5w-30 and saw no difference in temperatures on my turbo build, I plan on running a 5w-30 on my new engine to keep oil pressure up a little higher on cold starts and during high temperature operation with the turbo.I change my oil every few thousand miles to check on its condition and see if I need to make adjustments / send it in for analysis with Blackstone.

I would not do that under normal circumstances- if my car was not turbo, I would run a 0w-20 and change the oil every 5k, unless something felt strange.

It seems like really good insurance to run at least 5W30 in a turbo FA20. Higher temps are guaranteed. You also get that awesome woosh of power.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JesseG]

Originally Posted by Grady

0w20 stock,
5w30 when I installed the turbo,
Switched to 0W40 last 100 deg track day, probably not necessary, still did not see oil temp over 250.

There is only 1 correct answer when someone asks what type of oil to use.... “New” is the correct answer.

I didn’t even know there was 0W40. It has to be more expensive. And yes I agree completely, the best insurance is frequent oil changes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JesseG]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

I typically use Mobil 1 0w30 for the summer since it includes track and canyon time. For the winter I used to switch back to 0w20, but now that I live in a temperate climate, I don't bother.

If I was only street driving the car, I'd use the recommended 0w20 and not even worry about it.

I’m thinking I will just stick with 0W20. I don’t track my car so oil temps probably don’t get high enough to worry about it. I think the comment from the Mighty Car Mods video got me a little spooked.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ernest72]

Originally Posted by JesseG

I’m thinking I will just stick with 0W20. I don’t track my car so oil temps probably don’t get high enough to worry about it. I think the comment from the Mighty Car Mods video got me a little spooked.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It’s like 25 bucks for an oil analysis. Do one at your next oil change. Do it at 5k or above. If it’s good you know, if it’s bad change earlier or change oils.

[JesseG]

Originally Posted by Ernest72

It’s like 25 bucks for an oil analysis. Do one at your next oil change. Do it at 5k or above. If it’s good you know, if it’s bad change earlier or change oils.

I’m gonna do just that! I’ve never sent oil in for analysis but I plan on keeping the FR-S for a while. I think I will set it aside for my daughter. And pick up a 2020 86/BRZ or a 2nd gen. Would it be insane to have basically two of the same car?!
Oh and I’m at about 29,000 miles.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by JesseG

I’m thinking I will just stick with 0W20. I don’t track my car so oil temps probably don’t get high enough to worry about it. I think the comment from the Mighty Car Mods video got me a little spooked.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just watched that video. If you're in a hot climate or drive you car hard (track/canyons/etc.) and it concerns you, you can safely bump up to a 30 weight. That's actually recommended by the manual for high speed operation or extreme load conditions. Toyota South Africa specs a 5w30 given their high temps and the Japanese Subaru manual apparently specs a 0w30, multiple 5w30s and even a 5w40 (in addition to some 0w20 oils).

Lot of good information in this thread:
https://www.ft86club.com/forums/show...t=28477&page=4

I still don't think it's necessary unless you're doing track days or lots of backroad driving, but you should definitely consider a 30 weight if it would give you some peace of mind. As mentioned I've been using M1 0w30 with no issues.

[Purist]

Penrite Enviro GF5 plus 5W30. E85 compatible. Someone (possibly the Penrite tech) told me the 0w20 has to do with emissions and not a mechanical requirement for such a thin oil.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

[JesseG]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

I just watched that video. If you're in a hot climate or drive you car hard (track/canyons/etc.) and it concerns you, you can safely bump up to a 30 weight. That's actually recommended by the manual for high speed operation or extreme load conditions. Toyota South Africa specs a 5w30 given their high temps and the Japanese Subaru manual apparently specs a 0w30, multiple 5w30s and even a 5w40 (in addition to some 0w20 oils).

Lot of good information in this thread:
https://www.ft86club.com/forums/show...t=28477&page=4

I still don't think it's necessary unless you're doing track days or lots of backroad driving, but you should definitely consider a 30 weight if it would give you some peace of mind. As mentioned I've been using M1 0w30 with no issues.

It would be nice peace of mind to bump up to a 0W30. And it gets hot here, so even if I’m not driving too hard the engine is still under more stress. I honestly didn’t even know 0W30 and 40 existed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk