Oil performance 5w-20 vs 5w-30

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Kyle schumacher

Junior Member
Joined
May 8, 2020
Posts
1
Reaction score
2
Location
Brampton
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7 hemi
Good day all,

I was told by multiply mechanics recommending the switch from 5w-20 syn to 5w-30 syn on 5.7 hemi pickups due to possible engine issues with the thin oil over time. What do you recommend?
 

ThompNation

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2023
Posts
18
Reaction score
31
Location
North Carolina
Ram Year
2012
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Sorry can’t offer advice one way or another but for what it’s worth, I’ve got 207k on my 2012 1500 & it’s always drank 5w-20. I’ve religiously changed the oil every 3k, maybe excessive?, but I’ve never had ticking/lifter issues & truck runs strong.
 

Dean2

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2021
Posts
4,455
Reaction score
8,947
Location
Near Edmonton
Ram Year
2021 2500
Engine
6.4
Mobile 0-30 year round as I change oil every 8000 klms, which means one change every 8 or 9 months. Given it can be as cold as -45 here, the 0 makes a big difference if I have to park it outside for some reason. I also add 15 ounces of Lubeguard. It had 5-20 Penzoil and Lubeguard in it till the warranty ran out. Seems to run a tad quieter with the Mobil than 5-20 Penzoil Ultra and Lube Guard, but the difference is tiny.
 

ramffml

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2019
Posts
3,658
Reaction score
7,631
Location
ramforum
Ram Year
2019
Engine
hemi 5.7
Yes, 30 grade is heavily recommended. From a pure lubrication perspective, 30 grade always offers more protection than 20 grade. The grades are based on the film strength at 100 deg C (HT/HS) and this is what keeps the metal bits (bearings vs shafts) separate from eachother.

In practice... do we NEED to run 20 grade. No. Many high mileage hemis out there do last the lifetime of the truck. But SHOULD you run 30 grade... why bother running a worse oil when the only negative to a better oil is such a small decrease in fuel efficiency that you personally would never be able to measure and detect it?

There is also the fact that hemis are known to eat lifters and camshifts, and how much the oil choice plays into this vs it just being a materials issue on the cam/lifters, well that's up for debate but again there is no downside to minimizing your risk.

My oil of choice is this:

But even just bumping up to a 30 grade in your current brand of oil would be a great thing with no measurable downsides.
 

Wild one

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2016
Posts
23,882
Reaction score
54,973
Ram Year
14 Sport
Engine
5.7
Good day all,

I was told by multiply mechanics recommending the switch from 5w-20 syn to 5w-30 syn on 5.7 hemi pickups due to possible engine issues with the thin oil over time. What do you recommend?
Read the note at the bottom,even Ma Mopar says 5W-30 is okay.
This was in the 700 pg printed manuals back before 2020 when you could still get the bigger printed manuals.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3931 (2).JPG
    IMG_3931 (2).JPG
    196.3 KB · Views: 11

gt8684

Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2021
Posts
95
Reaction score
72
Location
Louisiana
Ram Year
2022
Engine
Hemi 5.7
FWIW... My 22, the oil fill states 0w-20, every other time I started the engine, it would rattle like a 40 year old diesel in freazing weather. And that was from day 1.... After a few changes I switched to 5w-30, never looked back, no more dry starts, no more rattle. Always have run RoyalPurple oil as well.
 

1999 White C5 Coupe

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2016
Posts
486
Reaction score
772
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Good day all,

I was told by multiply mechanics recommending the switch from 5w-20 syn to 5w-30 syn on 5.7 hemi pickups due to possible engine issues with the thin oil over time. What do you recommend?


You’ll get a variety of opinions on this forum - but if you follow the manufacturer’s guideline's, you can’t go wrong.

Just don’t ask what is the best oil filter to use…………………….
 

ramffml

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2019
Posts
3,658
Reaction score
7,631
Location
ramforum
Ram Year
2019
Engine
hemi 5.7
- but if you follow the manufacturer’s guideline's, you can’t go wrong.

Ackshually.... that's not true. Just think of Ram saying there is no need to change transmission fluid but ZF who builds the silly thing says to change it like every 80k.

I wouldn't treat the manufacturer as a god. They have competing interests and conflicts and they always look out for themselves over and above the customer.

Just don’t ask what is the best oil filter to use…………………….

That would be the fram xg2 of course :hidesbehindsofa:
 
Last edited:

Wild one

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2016
Posts
23,882
Reaction score
54,973
Ram Year
14 Sport
Engine
5.7
You’ll get a variety of opinions on this forum - but if you follow the manufacturer’s guideline's, you can’t go wrong.

Just don’t ask what is the best oil filter to use…………………….
The manufacture's guidelines are dictated by the EPA and Cafe government nannies,not by the engines tolerances and bearing clearances.Everytime the nannies come down on a manufacture,the oils/fluids get thinner,and it's not done to increase the life expectancy of a vehicles driveline.;)
I'm not gonna say much,but you've been drinking the Koolaide to much if you think the manufacture is looking out for your best interests :waytogo: :Big Laugh:
 

DaveK66

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2026
Posts
9
Reaction score
7
Location
Kankakee, Illinois
Ram Year
2015
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I have a 2015 Ram 1500 Big Horn 5.7 Hemi 120.000 miles. . I changed my oil with Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30 with 16 ounces of Lube Gard Bio Tech. The engine immediately quieted down and seems to *** much smoother. The reviews on these products have been pretty damn good. Also installed a K&N Premium Oil Filter HP 1017.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
211,381
Posts
3,065,828
Members
171,790
Latest member
ChloeBrooks
Back
Top