Mobil 1 5w-20 vs 0w-20

Hi all,

I wanted to change the oil in my car and a question about which one would work. I know that 0w-20 is the specified oil, but wouldn't 5w-20 work just as well? The 0 vs. the 5 only deals with start up temperature, but the viscosity is still the same. I have looked over at bobistheoilguy.com and aside from the start up temp it shouldn't matter. Is it rated as a 0 just for the new cafe standards?

My wifes 99 accord says 5w-30 on the oil cap, but now it is 5w-20 according to the new standards. I am wondering if the recommendation for 0w-20 is essentially the same thing. (I realize that it was a viscosity change in the accord situation, but I can also use 0w-20 in the accord and it will be fine.)

Thanks in advance

You can use the 5W but the next fill needs to be 0W as specified in the user manual. You will likely see a reduction in fuel economy though.

Thanks. Why would I necessarily see a drop in fuel economy?

Where is you local? There are many many threads of this topic. Unlike an ordinary engine, the prius engine starts and stops more frequently.

It would be good to track what you see if you plan on using the 5W. Report back.

As long as you are using a synthetic, there is no reason to use 5W-20 instead of 0W-20 unless you just want to burn a little extra gas while the engine is warming up. It won't be much difference and you probably won't notice the difference unless you keep good records and make lots of consistent short trips.

Honda probably specs a 5W-20 because they don't require a synthetic oil and a durable 0W-20 is hard to make without synthetic base stock.

The 5W-20 isn't just a higher viscosity at starting temperature, all else being equal, it is somewhat thicker than 0W-20 up until operating temperature.

This especially important for those who frequently make short trips with a cold engine.

Thanks for everyone's responses. I just bought 23 quarts of M1 0w-20 at NAPA and Pep Boys. It is on sale through today for $5.79 a quart at NAPA. (Pep boys matched their price)

there is a difference you want to consider. the Toyota 0-20 is specially formulated for hybrids and their frequent start up cycles so just any 0-20 wont work. you can go with 5-20 but its HIGHLY recommended that you use a 5,000 oil change interval and not use 5-20 twice in a row.

I've posted before with a direct quote from the Australian version of the Prius 2010 manual. I don't know if the US manual contains the same info, however, there is actually a wide range of oils recommended. My dealer uses 5-30 synthetic as that is what Toyota Australia recommend for our conditions. I feel some of the posts about 0-20 are a little precious and misguided.

Have you considered Pennzoil Platinum 0w-20 or 5w-20 ? Can be bought as the 5 quart jug for $24.97 at Wal-Mart . Just put it in a '11 Honda Fit (1.5ltr. ) . Seems fine . May get a used oil analysis for it . Probably in mid > late November . Here's the Product Data Sheet for it . Looks good . What's your take for it ?

This is not true. The owners manual does not require a specific 0w-20, other than a full synthetic one.


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Oh puh .... leeeeese .....

Any 0-20 is just fine .... and 5-20 would be too. You'd likely never know the difference. 0-20 IS recommended though, so why not just use it as Toyota recommends ?


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And just to mess with you guys, I am going to run 10/30 synthetic for 10k once my power train warranty expires.


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LOL !!

Your engine is gonna seize !! The sky is gonna fall, and your warranty will be forever gone !!!


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I'm glad that The Critic lives in California. Hopefully the sky will not fall 2500 miles away in Pennsylvania.

But seriously, why can't people just use oil with the specifications recommended in the owner's manual?

Remember that 10/40 and 15/40 pump fine at 0 degrees. It is not optimal, but it will work.

But yes, following the owners manual recommendation is a good idea for the vast majority of owners.


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I am not opposed to doing what is says in the manual. I just had a lot of Mobil 1 5 w -20 on hand. It is easier and cheaper to get than 0w-20 where I live.

The "0w" part of the oil is critical especially for engine start-ups. More so if you live in colder places like Alaska or Canada for instance. Not much so for sunny climes like maybe Nevada or Arizona. There is a big difference when starting your car at -10F outside versus at 70F.

Don't worry ... you'll be fine with 5-20 syn.

REV