20W50 Oil Disadvantages

Engine oil is one of the most critical elements in a car’s engine; it can make or break a vehicle. Using improper oil can result in major and costly engine damage, which is why it’s critical to have the right knowledge about oil. Thus, in this article, 20w50 oil disadvantages will be presented and its advantages will be summarized as well.

What Does 20W50 Engine Oil Mean?

Multigrade motor oils, such as 20W-50, have a wider operating temperature range than single-grade motor oils. The 20W-50 oil is thick and viscous, and it doesn’t thin easily.

The viscosity of motor oil is 20W50. This is the viscosity, or thickness, of the oil. The 20W indicates how quickly the engine will start in cold temperatures, and the 50 indicates the oil thickness after the engine has been running for a long. This oil has a thick and dense consistency.

20W50 Oil Disadvantages

20w50 oil doesn’t mean for every engine. That’s why car owners should be aware of its disadvantages as below:

#1 Incompatible with newer engines

20w50 engine oil is not generally used since it is a viscous oil that performs poorly in typical car engines, particularly in modern automobile engines with a lot of new and sophisticated technology, like Variable Valve Timing Mechanisms.

Furthermore, engines that use this oil will have a significant drop in power, as well as low fuel efficiency and worsened emissions.

Due to the greatly increased thickness of the oil, the timing chains or belts will fail to perform normally, throwing the timing system out of whack.

This occurs because most modern Variable Valve Timing systems, such as BMW’s VANOS, Honda’s VTEC, and Toyota’s VVTI, all rely on the engine’s oil pressure, and when oil with higher viscosity is used, the engine’s oil pressure rises, causing damage to the lifters, cam bearings, and piston rings.

#2 Oil pumps degrade more quickly

Oil pumps will wear out prematurely as a result of the increased thickness that the pump was not designed for, causing the pump to fail sooner. Vehicles with turbocharged engines will also fail sooner as the turbo bearings that receive the oil will fail due to the thickness that the turbo bearings can not handle.

#3 Lower your gas mileage

Gas mileage will suffer significantly, but it’ll be the last of your concerns. Sludge will build up inside the crankshaft/camshaft, causing the bearings to fail together with the cams, causing your engine to fail catastrophically or seize together.

What Is the Purpose of 20W50 Engine Oil?

20W-50 engine oil is a common choice for medium to large engines, as well as aviation vehicles and motorcycles. Because of its remarkable resistance to thinning, the oil is also utilized as a high-temperature driving and racing oil.

When subjected to high temperatures, most oils degrade. Nonetheless, the 20W-50 can endure high temperatures because it is designed to lubricate automotive parts like pistons and reduce friction, engine sludge, and varnish deposits in engines that generate extremely high temperatures.

When used in appropriate engines, this oil acts as a better sealant. It provides adequate cushioning to prevent the engine parts from friction. As a result, engine life is extended and wear and tear is reduced.

This oil is heavier and only suitable for certain automobiles. The oil is beneficial for vehicles that are used for high-stress activities such as towing trailers and hauling in hot weather. As a result, always consult the automobile manufacturer’s manual when using this heavy-duty oil on your vehicle. Before changing oils, you should contact your technician.

20W50 Oil Advantages

20W50 motor oil has a number of advantages as well.

I’d like to emphasize that this oil has a high viscosity, which makes it perfect for usage in older car models and in highly hot weather. The thicker oil never causes leaks, which is typical in older automobiles.

Because of the oil’s high viscosity, it provides better cushioning and protection against metal-to-metal friction. As a result, it has high corrosion and wears resistance.

Moreover, because of its thickness, the oil provides the best sealing properties, resulting in superior sealants than a thinner oil.

Last but not least, thermal breakdown, which can occur as a result of high engine temperatures, is not a problem for this oil.

Conclusion

The 20W-50 engine oil is viscosity-rich heavy-duty engine oil. The oil is best used in hot weather or on vehicles that demand a lot of heat.

The oil, on the other hand, was not designed for current vehicles and is best suited to older vehicles. As a result, most vintage cars had engines that lasted up to a thousand kilometers.