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5W-30 instead of 5W-20

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cabisson

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
So, I've always had older vehicles where the weight of the oil wasn't that critical. If it was wet and lubed, it was happy.

I know these Jeeps are built to tighter specs, and require a little more compliance, blah blah blah.

Did an oil change tonight on my '12 Riot, I4 2.4L 5 Spd Manual. As I was starting to pour the new oil in (Full Synthetic) I realized I'd grabbed a jug of 5W-30 instead of 5W-20. Without much option, I filled it up to spec, ran it a few minutes to get things circulating, and parked it for the night.

Question is - I drive about 50 miles each way, to and from work. 70% highway, 65+mph, and it's supposed to be around 85*F tomorrow. I'm planning to grab a jug of 5W-20 on the way home tomorrow, dump the 30, and fill it up properly. Is there likely to be any detrimental effect to the engine running a heavier weight oil under these conditions? Do I even need to worry about swapping out for the 20 weight ASAP?

Thanks in advance!
 
#2 · (Edited)
You really don't need to worry about changing it just because it's 5w30. I've done the same thing in my 2012 2.0.....
Went back to 5w30 2 changes ago......no biggie especially now in the summertime. The 5w helps at colder temps because it's "thinner" at a cold temp.
 
#3 ·
Not a break your engine change, best to stick with 20 but you could run 30 the entire life of the car without any issues.
 
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#5 ·
I've run 5W20 for most of my Patriot's life, but the dealer once put in 5w30 in at an oil change, and with as hot as even Michigan can get in the summer, I put 5w30 in myself at last change. On purpose, yes. Engine's still running like new.
 
#6 · (Edited)
I put a quart of 10-30 in yesterday. It was down a quart and its what I had. Not a biggie. Rosso is right. It might even be slightly better in the summer, but it might make winter starting a bit tougher, esp if you live in a colder climate. No need to worry. Enjoy your Patriot!

Oh, I see you are from NH too. I'd suggest getting that oil changed before winter unless you live in Rockingham County.

Live, Freeze and Die! (For those of you not from NH, that is a take-off on our state motto "Live Free Or Die."
 
#7 ·
The only difference is viscosity at normal operating temperature meaning that the w20 is going to be a tad thinner than the w30. I've ran that in a previous car and had no impacts, and I doubt anyone will find anything scientific stating that running the slightly thicker oil will do any damage.
 
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#10 ·
If someone can measure professionally a decrease in MPG by going to 5w30 ...... I have a keg of beer waiting for you :D
 
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#12 ·
Yes in the 1980's. Its such a minuscule change in viscosity and given real work driving you will not see any impact to FE. Find something conclusive and modern in regards to FE degradation on today's engines which are vastly different than those of even a decade ago in regards to FE, technology, etc.
 
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#13 ·
2001 actually, but they do show that the different additive packages for different brands can have a larger impact than viscosity change.

Personally I don't think there would ever be a large enough change in the real world to be a concern but for manufacturers fuel economy numbers it probably provides some benefit.
 
#14 ·
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Discussion starter · #15 ·
Hey guys! Sorry it's taken so long to get back to my own post, but I have been following the action since the first response - seems that I'm on the same page as everyone else in suspecting there's no solid reason that it was cause problems! I did pick up a jug of w20 though, which I'll probably replace the w30 with this weekend...or next weekend, whenever I get 10 free minutes. I did notice an MPG drop from 28 to 26 when I filled up yesterday, but I'd point to a dozen different factors before blaming this oil change.

Thanks for all the feedback!
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
Ignatz said:
I put a quart of 10-30 in yesterday. It was down a quart and its what I had. Not a biggie. Rosso is right. It might even be slightly better in the summer, but it might make winter starting a bit tougher, esp if you live in a colder climate. No need to worry. Enjoy your Patriot!

Oh, I see you are from NH too. I'd suggest getting that oil changed before winter unless you live in Rockingham County.

Live, Freeze and Die! (For those of you not from NH, that is a take-off on our state motto "Live Free Or Die."
Click to expand...
I'm actually up in Strafford County, about 1300 feet above sea level on the side of a mountain! It's not the peak of Mt Washington up here, but our winter weather IS unique to the area...and not usually in a good way. I love the "Live, Freeze & Die!" BTW! Doesn't get any more accurate than that in NH.
 
#17 ·
cabisson said:
I'm actually up in Strafford County, about 1300 feet above sea level on the side of a mountain! It's not the peak of Mt Washington up here, but our winter weather IS unique to the area...and not usually in a good way. I love the "Live, Freeze & Die!" BTW! Doesn't get any more accurate than that in NH.
Click to expand...
Merrimack County myself -- far enough inland to get 'real' winter, but close enough to the ocean that anything can fall out of the sky for half the year. I travel all over the southern third of the state from the Seacoast to VT.
 
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