What season is 20W50 engine oil suitable for?
2 Answers
The engine oil with the grade 20W50 is an all-season oil that can be used year-round, but it depends on the local winter and summer temperatures. However, such high-viscosity oil is rarely used in the market today, and most of this type of oil is semi-synthetic or mineral oil. Given the importance of engine oil to the engine, more and more people are pursuing fully synthetic oil and lower-viscosity oil. 20W50 oil can be used at a minimum temperature of -15°C, and its high-temperature viscosity of 50 can meet the engine's requirements in summer across China. Therefore, in southern China, 20W50 oil is considered all-season oil and can be used year-round. However, in northern China, it is not suitable for all seasons because winter temperatures there can drop below -15°C, which may cause issues like engine failure to start. Thus, this oil cannot be used in northern China during winter. Therefore, regarding the season for using 20W50 oil, it is suitable for summer across China, but in winter, it can only be used in southern China. In the viscosity grade, the number before 'W' represents the oil's viscosity in low-temperature conditions. The smaller the number, the better the fluidity and cold resistance. The number after 'W' indicates the oil's viscosity at 100°C, with a higher number representing higher viscosity and better high-temperature resistance. Apart from the numbers before and after 'W,' other parameters can also classify the oil. For example, 'S' at the beginning indicates oil for gasoline engines, 'C' for diesel engines, and the presence of both 'S' and 'C' means the oil is suitable for both gasoline and diesel engines. When selecting engine oil, consider the following: Choose oil based on the engine's requirements. There is no need to use overly advanced oil for engines with lower requirements, nor should lower-grade oil be used in engines with higher requirements. Multi-grade oil is preferable as it is economical, long-lasting, and efficient, providing better protection for the engine. Due to its characteristics, multi-grade oil may appear darker and have lower oil pressure than regular oil during use, which is normal.
20W-50 motor oil is most suitable for use in warm seasons, especially during summer or in hot climates. The first part of this grade, 20W, represents its low-temperature performance in winter, indicating that it flows reasonably well during cold starts. However, the latter part, 50, indicates higher high-temperature viscosity, which provides better protection for the engine in high-temperature environments, such as extreme heat, preventing the oil from thinning and reducing wear. When I used to drive an older car, I often switched to this oil in the summer, and it made the engine run more smoothly while maintaining stable fuel consumption. It's not highly recommended for extremely cold winters, as it may flow poorly at very low temperatures, leading to difficult starts or accelerated wear. If you live in a consistently warm area, such as southern cities, using it year-round isn’t a major issue. Still, it's best to follow the vehicle manual's recommendations when selecting oil and regularly check the oil level and color to ensure engine health.
