Engine / motor oil : 0W-20 or 0W-16 for cold climate?

[Andy704]

My new Maverick hybrid is being built this week and is coming at the end of February. I know the owner manual suggests using 0W-20 as the preferred motor oil, but as I currently have a 22 Toyota Camry hybrid with a 2.5 Atkinson cycle motor similar to the Maverick, Toyota recommends as the preferred oil weight to be 0W-16, I was just wondering, being in a cold climate, if anyone would consider using 0W-16 motor oil?
Thanks

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[Z_ealot]

My new Maverick hybrid is being built this week and is coming at the end of February. I know the owner manual suggests using 0W-20 as the preferred motor oil, but as I currently have a 22 Toyota Camry hybrid with a 2.5 Atkinson cycle motor similar to the Maverick, Toyota recommends as the preferred oil weight to be 0W-16, I was just wondering, being in a cold climate, if anyone would consider using 0W-16 motor oil?
Thanks

I would stick with what Ford recommends, the actual winter rating for the oil is the first part of the numbering system most oil manufacturers use, in this case the 0W rating means that the oil maintains its flow characteristics down to the most extreme cold temperatures. Second set of numbers in the oil rating is the viscosity rating once the oil is up to temperature inside the engine.

 

[Ron Neal]

Not a big difference 0w-16 and 0w-20 but I would use what Ford recommends.

 

[Flomounier1]

Considering the 0w part is the thickness when cold, both are the same cold-start safety wise. Even in -20 degree weather, the 20w portion (if it even gets to a 20w thickness) is safe once the engine warms up to operating temp. As long as you use a decent oil, there's nothing to worry about. Although I don't recommend Royal Purple/Liqui Moly or other performance oils in Atkinson engines. I would stick with either OEM Motorcraft, Mobil 1, Valvoline Full Synthetic, Amazonbasics, or Penzzoil Platinum or Platinum Ultra/Plus.

 

[STARCOMMTREY1]

My new Maverick hybrid is being built this week and is coming at the end of February. I know the owner manual suggests using 0W-20 as the preferred motor oil, but as I currently have a 22 Toyota Camry hybrid with a 2.5 Atkinson cycle motor similar to the Maverick, Toyota recommends as the preferred oil weight to be 0W-16, I was just wondering, being in a cold climate, if anyone would consider using 0W-16 motor oil?
Thanks

Use 0 20 because that is a thicker oil when at temp. Should be a good reason.

 

[fbov]

Not a big difference 0w-16 and 0w-20

If that's all it was, I'd agree.

In this case, there is a new standard as of May 2020, ILSAC GF-6B, that applies only to 0W16 oil. Our cars are designed to work with GF-6A oil. I'm no oil formulation expert, but I do know standards don't change without a reason.

 

[TSAINTS1115]

Car companies test vehicles in freezers and cold climate test far colder than where you live. They spend millions on this. Don't second guess their work.

 

[73bluebronco]

If that's all it was, I'd agree.

In this case, there is a new standard as of May 2020, ILSAC GF-6B, that applies only to 0W16 oil. Our cars are designed to work with GF-6A oil. I'm no oil formulation expert, but I do know standards don't change without a reason.

ILSAC GF-6 will be split into two subcategories: GF-6A and GF-6B. The principal difference between the two subcategories of oils concerns viscosity grade and high temperature, high shear (HTHS) performance.

The proposed ILSAC GF-6A specification would replace the current ILSAC GF-5 specification, represented by the starburst/certification trademark, and would provide a new performance level of an engine oil for spark-ignited internal combustion engines.

The proposed ILSAC GF-6B will provide the same performance as GF-6A, but with the added aim of lower HTHS to deliver potential further fuel economy benefits. ILSAC GF-6B will be defined for 0W-16 viscosity grade oils only.

Looking at this makes me think they are using a formulation difference in base oil viscosity, pour point depressants, and viscosity index improvers. They are reducing the concentration of viscosity improvers and increasing the other two.

Just what it looks like from an initial review. I can try to find testing to confirm if you want.

 

[Shecster]

Our ‘13 Accord Sport calls for 0-20wt. and it really struck me when I did the first (of many) oil changes just how thin that mixture was. Flawless performance in all regards and I have become accustomed to the fact that these new engines have very tight tolerances so 0-20 just flows and goes.
Due to our region, I wasn’t even aware of a 0-16wt. oil. I would be inclined to follow Fords requirements and by doing so it keeps the bean counting warranty goons off your back potentially.

 

[Andy704]

ILSAC GF-6 will be split into two subcategories: GF-6A and GF-6B. The principal difference between the two subcategories of oils concerns viscosity grade and high temperature, high shear (HTHS) performance.

The proposed ILSAC GF-6A specification would replace the current ILSAC GF-5 specification, represented by the starburst/certification trademark, and would provide a new performance level of an engine oil for spark-ignited internal combustion engines.

The proposed ILSAC GF-6B will provide the same performance as GF-6A, but with the added aim of lower HTHS to deliver potential further fuel economy benefits. ILSAC GF-6B will be defined for 0W-16 viscosity grade oils only.

Looking at this makes me think they are using a formulation difference in base oil viscosity, pour point depressants, and viscosity index improvers. They are reducing the concentration of viscosity improvers and increasing the other two.

Just what it looks like from an initial review. I can try to find testing to confirm if you want.

if you could that would be great, another person

ILSAC GF-6 will be split into two subcategories: GF-6A and GF-6B. The principal difference between the two subcategories of oils concerns viscosity grade and high temperature, high shear (HTHS) performance.

The proposed ILSAC GF-6A specification would replace the current ILSAC GF-5 specification, represented by the starburst/certification trademark, and would provide a new performance level of an engine oil for spark-ignited internal combustion engines.

The proposed ILSAC GF-6B will provide the same performance as GF-6A, but with the added aim of lower HTHS to deliver potential further fuel economy benefits. ILSAC GF-6B will be defined for 0W-16 viscosity grade oils only.

Looking at this makes me think they are using a formulation difference in base oil viscosity, pour point depressants, and viscosity index improvers. They are reducing the concentration of viscosity improvers and increasing the other two.

Just what it looks like from an initial review. I can try to find testing to confirm if you want.

If you could that would be great. I tried to find a different Between the 6A and 6B, Can’t make heads or tails of it. Thanks

 

[73bluebronco]

if you could that would be great, another person



If you could that would be great. I tried to find a different Between the 6A and 6B, Can’t make heads or tails of it. Thanks

I'll see if I can get someone to cut loose of the test results so we can all look at them side by side.

 

[Decayed]

Not a big difference 0w-16 and 0w-20 but I would use what Ford recommends.

This, I can't imagine why you would second guess ford's engineers. Also note that the cold weather oil is for like -20f. I know chicago gets cold but it ain't alaska.

 

[73bluebronco]

This, I can't imagine why you would second guess ford's engineers. Also note that the cold weather oil is for like -20f. I know chicago gets cold but it ain't alaska.

Probably because Ford engineers don't know where he lives or how/when the vehicle will be operated. I fully grasp the idea of sticking with OEM recommendations for anything under warranty, but once it is out it is better to use what fits your specific application.

 

[Decayed]

Probably because Ford engineers don't know where he lives or how/when the vehicle will be operated. I fully grasp the idea of sticking with OEM recommendations for anything under warranty, but once it is out it is better to use what fits your specific application.

OP lives in chicago, which as I said gets cold but it ain't alaska. There is a page in the manual about the correct oil for a given temperature range. IIRC the cold weather oil is for -20f and below. I'd go with Ford's recommendation rather than winging it.

ETA see owners manual p 360; 5-30 good to -20f. 0=30 good below that.

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