Is 0w 20 oil OK
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I am confused by your answerqictrk said:
A 0W will be thinner in cold temps than a 5W, it will provide (marginally) easier cold starting, due to it's thinner consistancy (lower viscosity). 0W is better in a cold climate - ask any Canadian gearhead.
In a 0W-20 oil the "W" means winter. In winter weather the 0W oil will flow like a 0W oil, and the 5W will flow like a 5W oil and a 10W will flow like a 10W oil just until the engine warms up
Once the engine is at operating temperature a 0W 20's viscosity will be that of a 20 weight oil.
The MDS wants to "see" a 20W oil at full operating temp so 0W-20 should be fine.
Zilla
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Although I will stand by my explanation of oil viscosity: another forum member just PMd this to me.
Chrysler MDS Requires 5W-20
According to Chrysler, it is essential to use the correct motor oil viscosity when changing the oil on a 2005 Magnum or 300 model with the 5.7L Hemi V8 engine. The engine makes use of a multiple displacement system (MDS) that is designed to cut out cylinders during cruise consitions, improving fuel economy and lowering emissions, while firing on all eight cylinders under heavy load conditions, including wide-open throttle operations. The valve-train of this system is extra sensitive to oil thickness and flow rate, and can exhibit problems if the wrong oil viscosity is installed. Only 5W-20 motor oil should be used when performing an oil change on any 5.7L-equipped Magnum or 300.
So even though 0w 20 may work it is better to obey Chrysler and use 5w 20 - as Hemeee points out.
Zilla
Chrysler MDS Requires 5W-20
According to Chrysler, it is essential to use the correct motor oil viscosity when changing the oil on a 2005 Magnum or 300 model with the 5.7L Hemi V8 engine. The engine makes use of a multiple displacement system (MDS) that is designed to cut out cylinders during cruise consitions, improving fuel economy and lowering emissions, while firing on all eight cylinders under heavy load conditions, including wide-open throttle operations. The valve-train of this system is extra sensitive to oil thickness and flow rate, and can exhibit problems if the wrong oil viscosity is installed. Only 5W-20 motor oil should be used when performing an oil change on any 5.7L-equipped Magnum or 300.
So even though 0w 20 may work it is better to obey Chrysler and use 5w 20 - as Hemeee points out.
Zilla
rmedina lives in Texas and at this time of year it will never reach the cold temperatures where to 0W would be a factor. the oil would be the weight of a 20w when a 20w is hot, not a problem. However mobil 1 has just come out with a 5w-20. I have used the 0W-20 but now use the 5W-20.
The hemi would never go into MDS mode when it is cold, only after the engine heats up, so it would not effect it.
I would use it but, you should do what makes you feel better.
The hemi would never go into MDS mode when it is cold, only after the engine heats up, so it would not effect it.
I would use it but, you should do what makes you feel better.
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WARNING: CHRYCO IS MASTERFUL AT DENYING WARRANTY CLAIMS.
Go by the book, just cause Mobil says 0W20 is OK Chrysler did not say this in the manual, they are well aware of 0w20 oil and well aware that they sell cars in very hot climates. Interestingly in the last few months Mobil has introduced 5W20 so the discussion is moot GET THE 5W20!!! Castrol has had 5w20 Syntec for years. If no one can find it, that's what the internet is for. I could not find my antidandruff Brylcreem locally and had it in 5 days off the internet with tax savings offsetting some of the shipping charge. I'll repeat, with this fancy schmancy MDS, why screw around taking chances with an unapproved oil after spending $38K on the car?
Go by the book, just cause Mobil says 0W20 is OK Chrysler did not say this in the manual, they are well aware of 0w20 oil and well aware that they sell cars in very hot climates. Interestingly in the last few months Mobil has introduced 5W20 so the discussion is moot GET THE 5W20!!! Castrol has had 5w20 Syntec for years. If no one can find it, that's what the internet is for. I could not find my antidandruff Brylcreem locally and had it in 5 days off the internet with tax savings offsetting some of the shipping charge. I'll repeat, with this fancy schmancy MDS, why screw around taking chances with an unapproved oil after spending $38K on the car?
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You are right on the money. I've seen this discussion on another MDS vehicle and for some unknown reason some owners want to use fluids and maintenance parts that are either not recommended or that they think will perform "better". It's pretty hard to outsmart the engineers that design your vehicle.II kings 9:20 said:
Like II Kings said, 0W20 is NOT listed in the manual, 5W20 is. Using any other weight is just asking for trouble. WHAT possibly is there to gain vs the risk of improper MDS operation or other issues?? Of course manufacturers of 0W20 are going to say it's ok to use in place of 5W20 but until DCX says so it would seem pretty wise to stay with 5W20.
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I agree and as long as a DC agent (dealer) uses an unapproved oil then you are covered. Try getting them to cover Jiffy Lube for doing the same thing. I do not think it makes any difference at all 0 vs 5w20, however if premature valve wear (or other internal engine failure) occurs entirely unrelated to oil, DC will convieniently use the oil as the excuse to cover thier defective parts. They have done exactly that with the 2.7 sludge problem.LWOOD said:
yarbie, your "advice" goes against the recommendations of DCX. This is only your opinion and, while you may be personally willing to go outside the factory parameters, making such an absolute statement is misleading.yarbie said:
I'd sure hate to see someone hurt their Hemi
based on bad info received here.
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Yarbie and Linda...
If you substitute 5w 30 for 5w 20 you will lose the MDS capability. These oils are not interchangeable. This should not damage your MDS, but it will make it inoperative as the system relies on viscosity to operate.
It is generally accepted that you should not go outside the parameters of the manufacturers recommended service guidelines - esp. in warranty. While this may frequently may happen without negative results in other cars, the Hemi is not an engine that should be treated this way as it is more sophisticated than most.
Again - there should be no damage from using a 5w 30 oil, but you will render the MDS inoperative. Longer term, I would not advise the use of 5w 30 in the 369cid Hemi regardless of the climate factors.
If you substitute 5w 30 for 5w 20 you will lose the MDS capability. These oils are not interchangeable. This should not damage your MDS, but it will make it inoperative as the system relies on viscosity to operate.
It is generally accepted that you should not go outside the parameters of the manufacturers recommended service guidelines - esp. in warranty. While this may frequently may happen without negative results in other cars, the Hemi is not an engine that should be treated this way as it is more sophisticated than most.
Again - there should be no damage from using a 5w 30 oil, but you will render the MDS inoperative. Longer term, I would not advise the use of 5w 30 in the 369cid Hemi regardless of the climate factors.
I use 5w20 in my 2006 5.7 in the winter (Wisconsin). I just put in 5w30 Mobile 1 synthetic for the summer and NO problem with my MDS. The book tells you to use 5w30 for international use cause 5w20 is hard to get and there's no MDS problem there. I would stick with 5w30 wt. max and in winter go to 0w20 or 5w20 which ever is on sale but FULL syntyhetic.
I'm curious how exactly you know there's "NO problem" with your MDS. Please explain.
I would follow the manufacturer's suggested maintenance schedule in order to ensure I would have no issues with warranty. If I had trouble finding the correct oil, I would have someone order it in for me.
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Why is FULL synthetic necessary if the factory does not call for it yet the factory calls for 5w20 and that is not necessary? It seems that whatever DC calls for just do the opposite.
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