Hey all

We have a 2009 outlander with 210,000KM on it and live in Nova Scotia. We just had an oil change and for some reason my gf said to put 5w30 in the truck. The 2009 manual calls for 5w20 but I know 0w20 has been put in before as well.

Any issue with 5w30 going in? Temps are pretty cold here

Thanks
Dave

 

I use 0w20 because that's the closest Walmart has for Mobil One. I'm sure some engineer or expert is going to jump on me for this, but it shouldn't matter too much give or take 5 or 10. My understanding is that it just the viscosity levels for different temperatures. I've never heard of an engine breaking due to using an oil rating that varied by 10, but that's only anecdotal. If temps are cold, I believe you should go with lower ratings like 0w20. My two cents from an amateur, non-engineer.

 

I recommend going with a full synthetic 5w20

 

You dont say what engine you have, so a little ambiguity.

difference between 5w20 and 5w30, the 30 will be thicker when the engine is up to temp. At cold, they'll have similar viscosity. So likely not an issue other than lower mileage. Only other disadvantage, and very minor, the further the two numbers are, the more the oil will shear/degrade at the end of its life/usefulness due to increased amount of additive packs.

in the 3.0l, a 0w20 might be okay as I believe newer 3.0l are specing 0w20....but my manual calls for 5w20, so that's what I'll use. If 0w20 had to be used, would have to he top tier oil.

a great resource on oils is Bob is the oil guy forums. Forum all about fluids for vehicles.