I always tell people, look to the manual for your vehicle for a starting place. Unless your driving conditions are really out of the ordinary, the standard viscosity recommendations from your manufacturer will often be best.
However, if the manufacturer does not specifically recommend or require synthetic oil, then it is often possible to go with a lighter weight SYNTHETIC oil than what is recommended by the manufacturer, if you’re looking to get some additional fuel economy or performance.
Typically, I would try to remain within one viscosity grade of that recommended by the manufacturer, though. So, if the manufacturer recommended 5w30 in the manual, but didn’t specifically require synthetic, then that recommendation is based upon the assumption that you’ll be using petroleum oil.
So, if you move to synthetic instead, it’s likely that you could use a 5w20 or 0w20 where the “20″ is only one viscosity grade “thinner/lighter” than the recommended “30″.
I hope that makes sense. Like I said, first check your manual and see what the manufacturer recommends for your situation. Then, decide whether your driving conditions, type of oil or goals warrant a divergence from that recommendation.
If you want to post here the recommendations from the manual, as well as some more specifics regarding how you drive (miles/km per year, everyday or infrequent driving) and what your ultimate goals are (better fuel economy, better protection, better performance), I may be able to be a bit more specific.
Thank you for kind reply.Unfortunately I cant rely on manual of auto because manufacturer is in another country meaning very different climate conditions and manuals according to them.Importers dont have so precise attention for all changings.I ate a VW 1,9T engine at 50K km. s on a 1997 Golf auto because of(my thought)wrong oil used by authorized services.Engine got eggshaped cylinders at 50.000 km s in city use.
Do you think an automotive engine in city conditions can use full synthetic 0W20 oil without any risk on engine life?Concerning 38C degree temps on summer.
This engine has been high RPM design(3200 RPM gear shifts) and 5. gear generally at 3500 RPM travelling.
Thanks again for kind replies.
If I’m understanding you correctly, and you own a 1997 VW Golf 1.9L Turbo Diesel, then, VW recommends 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-30, 10W-40, 5W-50, 10W-50, 10W-60 for ALL TEMPS.
Thus, any of those viscosities, according to VW, should be fine for your climate, which sees temps as high as 100 degrees F. That being said, for temperatures that hot, and with a relatively high RPM engine, you’d likely want to stick to the higher viscosities (40 and 50 weight options).
Using a good quality synthetic, you might get away with a lighter weight oil, but, 0w20 is VERY light for such a situation – likely too light, even for synthetic. In addition, I can’t remember ever seeing a 0w20 motor oil that was diesel rated, so I can’t think of a 0w20 oil that would be a good fit for your diesel engine.
Of course, I’m in the US, so, it’s conceivable that there may be 0w20 oils available where you are that might be diesel rated. However, it seems unlikely that this would be common.
I can’t tell you what caused your engine trouble, but I can say, in my opinion, 0w20 was likely too light of an oil for your engine, and it wasn’t likely diesel rated, which would be a requirement for an oil for your diesel engine.
Firstly thank you for reply.Sorry for misunderstanding but my lack of English.
Now I am concerning for an Indian made Tata 1400 CC indirect inj. diesel auto engine I am currently using.Im concerning because I have a bitter experience with my recent VW Golf engine(It is a history now).
Sure my service and booklet is recommending oil specs.But truth is I cant rely them.(Because of my bitter experience in back)
VW services also were using Castrol Magnatec oil at that time.And oil shows the right specs according to the booklet for 1900CC Turbo diesel engine.But then they have changed using the Castrol Magnatec oil but my engine was gone.
My concerning is not a vital one but only I want to be more conscious when services changing oil.
Thank you again
TheMotorOilEvaluator.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
I always tell people, look to the manual for your vehicle for a starting place. Unless your driving conditions are really out of the ordinary, the standard viscosity recommendations from your manufacturer will often be best.
However, if the manufacturer does not specifically recommend or require synthetic oil, then it is often possible to go with a lighter weight SYNTHETIC oil than what is recommended by the manufacturer, if you’re looking to get some additional fuel economy or performance.
Typically, I would try to remain within one viscosity grade of that recommended by the manufacturer, though. So, if the manufacturer recommended 5w30 in the manual, but didn’t specifically require synthetic, then that recommendation is based upon the assumption that you’ll be using petroleum oil.
So, if you move to synthetic instead, it’s likely that you could use a 5w20 or 0w20 where the “20″ is only one viscosity grade “thinner/lighter” than the recommended “30″.
I hope that makes sense. Like I said, first check your manual and see what the manufacturer recommends for your situation. Then, decide whether your driving conditions, type of oil or goals warrant a divergence from that recommendation.
If you want to post here the recommendations from the manual, as well as some more specifics regarding how you drive (miles/km per year, everyday or infrequent driving) and what your ultimate goals are (better fuel economy, better protection, better performance), I may be able to be a bit more specific.
Was this answer helpful?
LikeDislikeThank you for kind reply.Unfortunately I cant rely on manual of auto because manufacturer is in another country meaning very different climate conditions and manuals according to them.Importers dont have so precise attention for all changings.I ate a VW 1,9T engine at 50K km. s on a 1997 Golf auto because of(my thought)wrong oil used by authorized services.Engine got eggshaped cylinders at 50.000 km s in city use.
Do you think an automotive engine in city conditions can use full synthetic 0W20 oil without any risk on engine life?Concerning 38C degree temps on summer.
This engine has been high RPM design(3200 RPM gear shifts) and 5. gear generally at 3500 RPM travelling.
Thanks again for kind replies.
Was this answer helpful?
LikeDislikeIf I’m understanding you correctly, and you own a 1997 VW Golf 1.9L Turbo Diesel, then, VW recommends 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-30, 10W-40, 5W-50, 10W-50, 10W-60 for ALL TEMPS.
Thus, any of those viscosities, according to VW, should be fine for your climate, which sees temps as high as 100 degrees F. That being said, for temperatures that hot, and with a relatively high RPM engine, you’d likely want to stick to the higher viscosities (40 and 50 weight options).
Using a good quality synthetic, you might get away with a lighter weight oil, but, 0w20 is VERY light for such a situation – likely too light, even for synthetic. In addition, I can’t remember ever seeing a 0w20 motor oil that was diesel rated, so I can’t think of a 0w20 oil that would be a good fit for your diesel engine.
Of course, I’m in the US, so, it’s conceivable that there may be 0w20 oils available where you are that might be diesel rated. However, it seems unlikely that this would be common.
I can’t tell you what caused your engine trouble, but I can say, in my opinion, 0w20 was likely too light of an oil for your engine, and it wasn’t likely diesel rated, which would be a requirement for an oil for your diesel engine.
Was this answer helpful?
LikeDislikeFirstly thank you for reply.Sorry for misunderstanding but my lack of English.
Now I am concerning for an Indian made Tata 1400 CC indirect inj. diesel auto engine I am currently using.Im concerning because I have a bitter experience with my recent VW Golf engine(It is a history now).
Sure my service and booklet is recommending oil specs.But truth is I cant rely them.(Because of my bitter experience in back)
VW services also were using Castrol Magnatec oil at that time.And oil shows the right specs according to the booklet for 1900CC Turbo diesel engine.But then they have changed using the Castrol Magnatec oil but my engine was gone.
My concerning is not a vital one but only I want to be more conscious when services changing oil.
Thank you again
Was this answer helpful?
LikeDislike