Don't believe that viral AI video comparing 0w20 to 5w30.

[ShadowsPapa]

Well, I guess I left myself open for that, and who better to notice that

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[In3briatedPanda]

The 20-30 somethings in the 1990's that laughed at their Grandparents for not being computer tech savvy and falling for online and phone scams, are now their Grandparents age falling for AI crap today.

Youtube has exploded with pure virtual AI content channels. A lot of history centric AI channels have popped up, especially with WWII and Cold War content spewing nonsense fictitious stories like they are fact when they are not. Do not doubt it is the same with automotive content either.

I can still notice most stuff with AI at 41, but i am 100% going to get scammed, 100%

 

[g2020]

never seeing temps below 40 (just for example) one could run a 5W oil

Update:

See ShadowsPapa's answer below. He was talking about going from 0W-20 to 5W-20 (slight increase in low temp viscosity, or just the first number).

Also: An important factor in any motor oil discussion is that the current version of the 3.6L Pentastar gasoline V6 engine was upgraded (known as the Pentastar Upgrade or PUG), with significant changes for the 2016 model year, well before the Gladiator was released. The recommended viscosity grade for the original version of this engine (introduced in 2010) was 5W-30, but was changed to 0W-20 for the PUG version (current version, as of November 2025). It is notable that the recommended viscosity grade for the 2019 model year Wrangler (gas), with the same PUG engine, is 0W-20. As you know, the first model year of the Jeep Gladiator was 2020.

I am unable to verify that CAFE environmental standards drove the change to 0W-20. It may be more accurate to state that CAFE standards drove the decision to redesign the engine for use with the more fuel-efficient 0W-20 motor oil.

Original post:

This is not intended to become fodder for another motor oil debate. I am looking for ShadowsPapa's answer based on the evidence.

Recommended motor oil (for gas engine): API Certified, MS-6395, SAE 0W-20

Are you suggesting that one could run SAE 5W-30 during the summer in places with a consistently warm climate, like Florida or Texas?

1. Whereas the original owner's manual for the 2020 Gladiator specifies 0W-20 (only), the revised online version of the same owner's manual lists (but does not explicitly recommend) multiple API Certified viscosities, including 5W-30; 0W-20 is recommended in the next paragraph on the same page, but this revision, to the same owner's manual, is a move away from "only" and toward "any of the following"
- The relevant pages of each version of the 2020 Gladiator owner's manual are shown in my post on Motor Oil & Oil Filter Service Intervals

2. For Mobil 1 EP, both 0W-20 and 5W-30 are API Certified and meet MS-6395 (and dexos 1 GEN 3)

3. The viscosity grade of the motor oil for the original 3.6L Pentastar gasoline V6 engine was 5W-30
- I know, manufacturer recommendations change, but I'm mentioning this for transparency
- Internet search: why did the viscosity grade of the motor oil for the 3.6L Pentastar gasoline V6 engine change from 5W-30 to 0W-20?

4. Lake Speed Jr tipped his hand (see video starting at 14:18), but I'm not holding him to it

5. Did you also tip your hand?

 

[Squashead]

Viscosity is one factor, and those who switch and say gee, now my results are better- everyone should switch to a higher viscosity are - well - full of it. You also changed CHEMISTRY and often BRANDS

Fair enough. To clarify, I wasn't meaning to imply I was conducting a rigorously scientific experiment, and I probably confused my point in the last post by mentioning the brands. I have previously changed between the same brands/chemistries mentioned (Mobil 1 EP and Valvoline R&P) on another engine but kept same viscosity (0w-20) and seen no discernable difference in wear metals but even that is beside the point. In that case I was interested in adding the cleaning properties of R&P without compromising the wear protection. Also, my goal with the 5w-30 test is not to make a general rule even for my own vehicles. This one was mainly in light of the higher level of load/towing in this application. I have two other pentastars that do no towing and would likely leave them at 0w-20 regardless of what chemistry.

There is a viscosity/temp trend I saw at some point but for the life of me I can't find it.

I did find the scenario we are talking about is actually referred to here in this provocatively named video (at approx. 16:00):
STOP Following OEM Oil Advice (GM Recall Proves Why)

Noteworthy, by 17:30 he says sometimes a different viscosity is better for an application, sometimes it's not.

As you mentioned, with 0w-20 the oil ends up at the "20" part but at lower temperatures passes through viscosities that would be equivalent to thicker grades at full temp. All that to say I completely was agreeing with your original post if we are talking long drive cycles. Is it fair to say that the higher the percent of short drive cycles, though, the more time is spent below full operating temp and so the climate effectively influences the second number also?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

This is not intended to become fodder for another motor oil debate. I am looking for ShadowsPapa's answer based on the evidence.

Recommended motor oil (for gas engine): API Certified, MS-6395, SAE 0W-20

Are you suggesting that one could run SAE 5W-30 during the summer in places with a consistently warm climate, like Florida or Texas?

1. Whereas the original owner's manual for the 2020 Gladiator specifies 0W-20 (only), the revised online version of the same owner's manual lists (but does not explicitly recommend) multiple API Certified viscosities, including 5W-30; 0W-20 is recommended in the next paragraph on the same page, but this revision, to the same owner's manual, is a move away from "only" and toward "any of the following"
- The relevant pages of each version of the 2020 Gladiator owner's manual are shown in my post on Motor Oil & Oil Filter Service Intervals

2. For Mobil 1 EP, both 0W-20 and 5W-30 are API Certified and meet MS-6395 (and dexos 1 GEN 3)

3. The viscosity of the motor oil for the original 3.6L Pentastar gasoline V6 engine was 5W-30
- I know, manufacturer recommendations change, but I'm mentioning this for transparency
- Internet search: why did the viscosity of the motor oil for the 3.6L Pentastar gasoline V6 engine change from 5W-30 to 0W-20?

4. Lake Speed Jr tipped his hand (see video starting at 14:18), but I'm not holding him to it

5. Did you also tip your hand?

The winter number is the "cold" number.
If I lived in AZ in the areas where it never gets below 40 degrees - then 5w20 would be an option for me - because that only impacts cold starts, the time when the oil is cold and would otherwise be "thicker".
Here, it's generally not hot in the morning although there are 80 degree morning exceptions.
My typical cold start temperatures in the morning aren't hot.

So no, not really tipping my hand - I'd use that first number like always, based on what my typical cold start temperatures are where that number counts.
I'm only talking changing the oil viscosity when it's cool or cold. The top number - still the same viscosity at engine operating temperature.

It's also a tiny change - 0w to 5w but still 20 otherwise - minor impact, and only cold.
It would basically be the same once the engine was warmed up.

 

[Squashead]

Here is the trend I was looking for (approx. 11:00 - 11:20):
Do Thin Oils Destroy Engines? Lessons From GM’s Massive Recall

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Here is the trend I was looking for (approx. 11:00 - 11:20):
Do Thin Oils Destroy Engines? Lessons From GM’s Massive Recall

That one has been posted several times, it's a zombie that keeps popping up - and people try to take the wrong conclusion from GM's little issue.
Oil had nothing, nada, zip, zero, to do with GM's issues. That was totally on GM's manufacturing problem.
They used a "hack" to cover it, sort of kick the can down the road, and in the end, once engines were fixed - GM said go back to the oil we recommended to begin with, even putting the original oil caps back on.
Now if that doesn't prove viscosity wasn't involved, I don't know what will prove it to some.

The only real lesson one can learn from it is - if the finish is crap, thicker oil can help. If the finish is good, use what's recommended.

 

[ecidiego]

What's funny is - kids *aren't* tech savvy imo. Gluing your face to a phone scrolling TikTok isn't tech savvy. The "boomers" they make fun of INVENTED the freaking Internet ( DARPANet tcp/ip v4 ) and know more about how everything works than any modern kid ever will.

YeAh But 6 7 SkIBiITi ToiLEt RIZz bRo!!!

 

[Squashead]

I was more interested in the temp/viscosity trend than the overall video subject in this case. I agree the GM problem is not related to this discussion. Despite the title of the video, he doesn't recommend changing viscosity without testing either. The titles are just clickbait sometimes.

 

[g2020]

The winter number is the "cold" number.
If I lived in AZ in the areas where it never gets below 40 degrees - then 5w20 would be an option for me - because that only impacts cold starts, the time when the oil is cold and would otherwise be "thicker".
Here, it's generally not hot in the morning although there are 80 degree morning exceptions.
My typical cold start temperatures in the morning aren't hot.

So no, not really tipping my hand - I'd use that first number like always, based on what my typical cold start temperatures are where that number counts.
I'm only talking changing the oil viscosity when it's cool or cold. The top number - still the same viscosity at engine operating temperature.

It's also a tiny change - 0w to 5w but still 20 otherwise - minor impact, and only cold.
It would basically be the same once the engine was warmed up.

OK, so you were only talking about going from 0W-20 to 5W-20 (slight increase in low temp viscosity, or just the first number). I will add this to my post above.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I was more interested in the temp/viscosity trend than the overall video subject in this case. I agree the GM problem is not related to this discussion. Despite the title of the video, he doesn't recommend changing viscosity without testing either. The titles are just clickbait sometimes.

Yeah as much as I like the guy and his science, even he, or his producers, rely on tricky titles and images sometimes.

The trend is also toward far better (well, other than GM, HAHA) machined finishes, (and materials) which can allow for such changes.

I liked the crankshafts turned and finished by a local shop that existed decades ago - you could use the crank journals as a mirror.
And a good shop will ask "what rings are you going to use" before final honing of the cylinder walls.

Sadly, there will be some who will watch a video or part of a video and come away with somehow seeing it as supporting what they went in hoping to find and already believing.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

What's funny is - kids *aren't* tech savvy imo. Gluing your face to a phone scrolling TikTok isn't tech savvy. The "boomers" they make fun of INVENTED the freaking Internet ( DARPANet tcp/ip v4 ) and know more about how everything works than any modern kid ever will.

YeAh But 6 7 SkIBiITi ToiLEt RIZz bRo!!!

our buddy invented it. And the core of the earth is hotter than the sun. So there.

Most "kids" can't even tell you what TCP/IP is, let alone UDP or the ODI model.
Ask then about the transport layer and you may have them pointing to a truck transporting cars, the top layer.

 

[Figmo]

Just a saying. There are so many definitions of "hell" anyway............. to me, it's having to listen to "Last Christmas" by Wham one more time.

It has been said that there is no hell. That everybody goes to heaven. Even sinners.

They just hate it there, is all.

 

[Hootbro]

Well, I guess I left myself open for that, and who better to notice that

I know, it was a cheap shot but I had to take it.

 

[Sweetums]

And you can't trust ART or even music these days. Might not have been a human.

At this moment, an AI "artist" is charting.
https://www.tennessean.com/story/en...ountry-chart-topper-walk-my-walk/87216375007/

I'm also quitting Spotify because they are using AI to generate music based on what is popular and fold it into their recommendations and playlists - all so they can avoid paying the artists they used to train their AI.

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