Why does the naturally aspirated Verano use 0W20 oil?
3 Answers
The reason why the naturally aspirated Verano uses 0W20 oil is that 0W20 has low viscosity and is fuel-efficient. The following is an introduction to oil-related content: 1. Increased fuel consumption: When adding oil to the engine, the oil level should be between the upper and lower limits of the dipstick. If too much oil is added to the engine, the volume will expand as the engine temperature rises, causing increased pressure in the oil chamber, increased operating resistance, reduced car power, and increased fuel consumption. 2. Overfilling oil: If too much oil is added, the crankcase breather pipe may leak oil, the crankcase pressure will increase, and the oil seal will be loosened by the oil pressure, leading to oil leakage. 3. Heat dissipation: Overfilling oil will affect engine heat dissipation.
I just had my Verano serviced the other day, and the mechanic recommended 0W20 oil for all naturally aspirated engines produced after 2020. This oil has excellent low-temperature fluidity, instantly lubricating every corner of the engine during cold starts in winter, preventing dry friction between parts. At highway speeds, the oil film strength is sufficient to protect precision components without adding extra burden to the engine like higher viscosity oils. After switching, I genuinely noticed slightly more responsive throttle response and about a 0.5 reduction in fuel consumption. I remember when using 5W30 last time, the engine sounded noticeably more strained during cold starts.
From the perspective of engine design, the 1.5L naturally aspirated engine in Buick's LIV series incorporates several new technologies. The piston ring tension has been reduced, and the clearance of internal friction pairs has been optimized. Using high-viscosity oil can actually impair efficiency. The 0W20 oil can quickly cover the DLC-coated cylinder walls, providing better protection under frequent engine start-stop conditions. Crucially, this oil has strong shear resistance, so even with frequent start-stops in traffic jams, the oil film won't break easily. Last time, the technician at the 4S shop showed me with an endoscope that the cylinder walls were still shiny after 10,000 kilometers of driving.
