NewStats: 3,259,749 , 8,170,786 topics. Date: Sunday, 25 May 2025 at 09:15 PM 6i663d

Over 80% of engines in Nigeria are already high-milage, most engine oil filters in the market are inferiors, also we are in a temperate region and finally our driving conditions are mostly short stops-and-go. Using lighter oils in this conditions doesn't make economic sense in my opinion.


Copied... https://cartreatments.com/what-do-the-numbers-on-motor-oil-mean/

....."Most people have either changed the oil of their car themselves or they’ve taken their car to an auto servicing company and had professionals do it for them. An important aspect about oil changes involves choosing the right type of oil.

This doesn’t just mean choosing between synthetic or conventional mineral-based oil. You also need to pay attention to the numbers on the label of the motor oil. You might see something like “10W30” or “5W20” and wonder what the heck they mean.

Even if you have your oil changed by a professional, they normally put a sticker on your windshield which indicates the numbers of the oil they used in your vehicle. What do these numbers mean?

In a nutshell, the numbers before and after the W represent viscosity. The letter “W” itself stands for Winter. As you may know, viscosity means the thickness of a fluid. In the case of motor oil, it is the thickness of the oil under certain temperature conditions

The number to the left of the W refers to the oil viscosity when the temperatures are low. The number to the right of the W refers to the oil viscosity at hotter temperatures.

If the first number is low, it means that you have thin oil. Whenever there are colder temperatures in your environment, it is better to have thin oil in your engine. Otherwise, it will be harder for thicker oil to flow throughout your engine and lubricate its components.

The second number will be dependent on two things; the temperature of your engine and the heat of your environment[b]. If you live in a tropical area with a lot of heat, you will want this second number to be high because it means the oil is thick. It is good to have thick oil in hot temperatures because it will do a better job of lubricating the engine’s components.[/b]

In North America, the standard motor oil to use is 10W30 or 5W30. If you live in a very cold nation like Finland, you might need even thinner oil like 0W30. Likewise, if you live in a very hot country like Nigeria, you could be using 10W40, 20W50, or 15W40.

If you check the owner’s manual of your vehicle, they will tell you the proper viscosity oil grade to use in your vehicle. However, the manufacturer doesn’t always take into where you are living in the world or where you might be relocating too with your vehicle. Therefore, you need to understand the various types of motor oils so that you can make your own best judgment."

https://cartreatments.com/what-do-the-numbers-on-motor-oil-mean/

what is wrong with you?


seriously, what?



which vehicle brand has 'built for x country' that the manufacturer stipulates a different viscosity from the one 'built for y country'?

Does Toyota recommend a different viscosity for the cars they sell in UAE as against that sold in Canada?

You know better than the people that built the vehicle?




I don't suppose you are even aware that these 'hot weather' talk only applied to Mineral Oil back in the days, and synthetic oils don't react the same way.

is your 33 degree centigrade weather hotter than the engine that runs at 95 degrees centigrade?


There are cars that the manufacturer stipulates 20W50 i believe you are aware............


So what exactly is the problem?

Winter or summer your manufacturers recommended oil stands all, period.

AshipaEk0:
what is wrong with you?


seriously, what?



which vehicle brand has 'built for x country' that the manufacturer stipulates a different viscosity from the one 'built for y country'?

Does Toyota recommend a different viscosity for the cars they sell in UAE as against that sold in Canada?

You know better than the people that built the vehicle?




I don't suppose you are even aware that these 'hot weather' talk only applied to Mineral Oil back in the days, and synthetic oils don't react the same way.

is your 33 degree centigrade weather hotter than the engine that runs at 95 degrees centigrade?


There are cars that the manufacturer stipulates 20W50 i believe you are aware............


So what exactly is the problem?

Well thought, now can you address the issue of 'high milage' engines I mentioned in my opener

We are tired of oil talk in nairaland. We are begging,
Everyone should use what suits one. Shekina!!!

I sure 90% of Nigerian car owners use 20W50 for years and nothing happen to their car engine. For instance, if you take a market survey, the availability of 20W50 to synthetic oil is 1to 20.

So if 20W50/works for you, then keep on using and also if synthetic oil work for you keep using it as well.

mejai:
We are tired of oil talk in nairaland. We are begging,
Everyone should use what suits one. Shekina!!!

Bros, no be lie ooo, my head don grow dada because of many many theories. But all the same, no knowledge is wasted if properly applied.

Dru23 come oh.. Dey want to put sand sand in your Garri

Come & drop some Google screenshots for them

Oyel business is serious business

engine sellers smile to the bank every day

it wont stop anytime soon

thebigkendo:
Dru23 come oh.. Dey want to put sand sand in your Garri

Come & drop some Google screenshots for them

International mechanic.... If I give u 2014 car to come fix now, na stories we go dey hear .. Is that a mechanic? Which school learn your mechabic work ...funny guy

Avedonn:
I sure 90% of Nigerian car owners use 20W50 for years and nothing happen to their car engine. For instance, if you take a market survey, the availability of 20W50 to synthetic oil is 1to 20.

So if 20W50/works for you, then keep on using and also if synthetic oil work for you keep using it as well.

If they know better.. They wouldn't be using it and they will follow owner manual ...in the USA 20w50 is not even common oil .. It does not sell market ... 5w30 is the most common grade of oil ... and u can't tell me Nigeria climate is hot has an excuse.. When oil is been formulated climate is taken consideration and country.... And most cars in Nigeria are from the USA .. My fight is for people to follow owner Manuel at all times

dru23:


International mechanic.... If I give u 2014 car to come fix now, na stories we go dey hear .. Is that a mechanic? Which school learn your mechabic work ...funny guy

First you say you will collect all my oyel customer.. Then I dey sell bed frame.. Now mechanic.. Try again dru

thebigkendo:


First you say you will collect all my oyel customer.. Then I dey sell bed frame.. Now mechanic.. Try again dru

Am sorry for mixing things up... but you still a local mechanic though... with limited skills ....PPM... poor mans mechanic.....

This is from workshop manual for 06 Elentra.

Since we are following manual nairaland.unblockandhide.com/attachments/7434316_screenshot20180718220548gallery_jpegda3422fd02d969482b8890d1785a2256

thebigkendo:


First you say you will collect all my oyel customer.. Then I dey sell bed frame.. Now mechanic.. Try again dru

he spoke about bed frame while trying to frame u??

na me he wan tqlk about na.....cos na me bed frame and he go there go rubbish am....as if to say na me say make he no fit give woman belle

thebigkendo:
This is from workshop manual for 06 Elentra.

Since we are following manual nairaland.unblockandhide.com/attachments/7434316_screenshot20180718220548gallery_jpegda3422fd02d969482b8890d1785a2256

20w50 no dey move market for USA......ur manual is photoshop

thebigkendo:
This is from workshop manual for 06 Elentra.

Since we are following manual nairaland.unblockandhide.com/attachments/7434316_screenshot20180718220548gallery_jpegda3422fd02d969482b8890d1785a2256

So how extreme is the weather in Lagos for people to start using 20w50 oil .... The hottest it gets in Lagos is in July about 84 degrees and the rest is 77 , it rains too .. So 20w50 is too dame thick for Lagos weather ...5w30 will do just fine.. Either way it is up to the individual to decide ...

diportivo:


he spoke about bed frame while trying to frame u??

na me he wan tqlk about na.....cos na me bed frame and he go there go rubbish am....as if to say na me say make he no fit give woman belle




20w50 no dey move market for USA......ur manual is photoshop

Another road side mechanic ..ladipo boyz are smiling to the bank coz of you guys ... so engine technology no go improve? Na to dey use 20w50 for 2008 cars upwards...

dru23:


So how extreme is the weather in Lagos for people to start using 20w50 oil .... The hottest it gets in Lagos is in July about 84 degrees and the rest is 77 , it rains too .. So 20w50 is too dame thick for Lagos weather ...5w30 will do just fine.. Either way it is up to the individual to decide ...

Na wa oh.. Dis english self, e can hard enh
Who dey talk about extreme?

manual states above negative 7 degree celsius

Is the Nigerian 84f(26c) & 77f(21c) not above - 7c?

Abi maths na problem too?

20w-50 is too dame think because dru knows better than the manufacturer

thebigkendo:

Na wa oh.. Dis english self, e can hard enh
Who dey talk about extreme?

manual states above negative 7 degree celsius

Is the Nigerian 84f(26c) & 77f(21c) not above - 7c?

Abi maths na problem too?

20w-50 is too dame think because dru knows better than the manufacturer

roadside mechanic like u

you av never travel out b4 too

what do u know about -7°

thebigkendo:

Na wa oh.. Dis english self, e can hard enh
Who dey talk about extreme?

manual states above negative 7 degree celsius

Is the Nigerian 84f(26c) & 77f(21c) not above - 7c?

Abi maths na problem too?

I’d say you’re not broad-minded Mr. B. For some, the letter R is understood as ꓤ

Costee:

I’d say you’re not broad-minded Mr. B. For some, the letter R is understood as ꓤ

Hahahahaha

thebigkendo:

Na wa oh.. Dis english self, e can hard enh
Who dey talk about extreme?

manual states above negative 7 degree celsius

Is the Nigerian 84f(26c) & 77f(21c) not above - 7c?

Abi maths na problem too?

20w-50 is too dame think because dru knows better than the manufacturer

dgitrader:
Over 80% of engines in Nigeria are already high-milage, most engine oil filters in the market are inferiors, also we are in a temperate region and finally our driving conditions are mostly short stops-and-go. Using lighter oils in this conditions doesn't make economic sense in my opinion.


Copied... https://cartreatments.com/what-do-the-numbers-on-motor-oil-mean/

....."Most people have either changed the oil of their car themselves or they’ve taken their car to an auto servicing company and had professionals do it for them. An important aspect about oil changes involves choosing the right type of oil.

This doesn’t just mean choosing between synthetic or conventional mineral-based oil. You also need to pay attention to the numbers on the label of the motor oil. You might see something like “10W30” or “5W20” and wonder what the heck they mean.

Even if you have your oil changed by a professional, they normally put a sticker on your windshield which indicates the numbers of the oil they used in your vehicle. What do these numbers mean?

In a nutshell, the numbers before and after the W represent viscosity. The letter “W” itself stands for Winter. As you may know, viscosity means the thickness of a fluid. In the case of motor oil, it is the thickness of the oil under certain temperature conditions

The number to the left of the W refers to the oil viscosity when the temperatures are low. The number to the right of the W refers to the oil viscosity at hotter temperatures.

If the first number is low, it means that you have thin oil. Whenever there are colder temperatures in your environment, it is better to have thin oil in your engine. Otherwise, it will be harder for thicker oil to flow throughout your engine and lubricate its components.

The second number will be dependent on two things; the temperature of your engine and the heat of your environment[b]. If you live in a tropical area with a lot of heat, you will want this second number to be high because it means the oil is thick. It is good to have thick oil in hot temperatures because it will do a better job of lubricating the engine’s components.[/b]

In North America, the standard motor oil to use is 10W30 or 5W30. If you live in a very cold nation like Finland, you might need even thinner oil like 0W30. Likewise, if you live in a very hot country like Nigeria, you could be using 10W40, 20W50, or 15W40.

If you check the owner’s manual of your vehicle, they will tell you the proper viscosity oil grade to use in your vehicle. However, the manufacturer doesn’t always take into where you are living in the world or where you might be relocating too with your vehicle. Therefore, you need to understand the various types of motor oils so that you can make your own best judgment."

https://cartreatments.com/what-do-the-numbers-on-motor-oil-mean/

hisgrace090:
Winter or summer your manufacturers recommended oil stands all, period.

dru23:


If they know better.. They wouldn't be using it and they will follow owner manual ...in the USA 20w50 is not even common oil .. It does not sell market ... 5w30 is the most common grade of oil ... and u can't tell me Nigeria climate is hot has an excuse.. When oil is been formulated climate is taken consideration and country.... And most cars in Nigeria are from the USA .. My fight is for people to follow owner Manuel at all times

una don use Confusion finish person. Lol
I’ve been using 20w50 in my Camry 09 bought 2 years ago. I’m about to service the car and I’m considering 5w30 semi synthetic. What’s your take? Although with 20w50 car runs fine and no check engine light, still bring out little water from the tail pipe sometimes in the morning.

RichIgboBoy:
una don use Confusion finish person. Lol
I’ve been using 20w50 in my Camry 09[color=#990000][/color] bought 2 years ago. I’m about to service the car and I’m considering 5w30 semi synthetic. What’s your take? Although with 20w50 car runs fine and no check engine light, still bring out little water from the tail pipe sometimes in the morning.

Those claiming to know more than the manufacturer are clearly stupid, it is like arguing about the order of alphabets.
I am going to assume you were handed 20W-50 engine oil when you went to a store or a mechanic and said you want to change your car engine oil, by my two big balls, many oil sellers at 'garages' and even road side mechanics will do the same, the last time i was at Ilesha garage in Akure to change my handbrake lining (a family member keeps leaving it on while driving), sitting at the parts seller's shop, about three people came to ask for oil to service their car, they were all handed 20w-50, they paid and left.
Oh well, this is how it is with many people, they don't have the knowledge about oils, check your engine cap and have a look at the oil viscosity written on it by your manufacturer, that's what you should use whether you live in Antarctica or Death valley, USA, now you might change to the manufacturer's oil grade and notice your car smoking shortly after or even immediately, if this is the case then you must fall back to your 20W-50, this is because the engine is high mileage and or has been abused for quite a long time (with very thick 20W-50).
Some change back to the manufacturer's recommended grade and vehicle doesn't smoke or starts making weird sounds, I'll advise you don't fall back anyways, car is old (16 years) and you have abused it for two years, keep it that way so you don't draw much nearer the consequences of using very thick oils over the years.

Babatundehy:


Those claiming to know more than the manufacturer are clearly stupid, it is like arguing about the order of alphabets.
I am going to assume you were handed 20W-50 engine oil when you went to a store or a mechanic and said you want to change your car engine oil, by my two big balls, many oil sellers at 'garages' and even road side mechanics will do the same, the last time i was at Ilesha garage in Akure to change my handbrake lining (a family member keeps leaving it on while driving), sitting at the parts seller's shop, about three people came to ask for oil to service their car, they were all handed 20w-50, they paid and left.
Oh well, this is how it is with many people, they don't have the knowledge about oils, check your engine cap and have a look at the oil viscosity written on it by your manufacturer, that's what you should use whether you live in Antarctica or Death valley, USA, now you might change to the manufacturer's oil grade and notice your car smoking shortly after or even immediately, if this is the case then you must fall back to your 20W-50, this is because the engine is high mileage and or has been abused for quite a long time (with very thick 20W-50).
Some change back to the manufacturer's recommended grade and vehicle doesn't smoke or starts making weird sounds, I'll advise you don't fall back anyways, car is old (16 years) and you have abused it for two years, keep it that way so you don't draw much nearer the consequences of using very thick oils over the years.

educative! Thanks a bunch

Any oil can be used in a car s engine. Oil is not petrol and a car with oil and no petrol won't start. 5w30,20w50 10w30,etc are all oils,even gen oil sae40 sef na oil..the problem is hope your engine does not have issues . My last car,b4 I changed the oil,it wasn't smoking,after changing and doing flush,it started smoking.i ran back to 5w30 and the smoking stopped.so I wasted almost 30k on oil and filter.fake 20w50 oil

RichIgboBoy:
una don use Confusion finish person. Lol
I’ve been using 20w50 in my Camry 09 bought 2 years ago. I’m about to service the car and I’m considering 5w30 semi synthetic. What’s your take? Although with 20w50 car runs fine and no check engine light, still bring out little water from the tail pipe sometimes in the morning.

Like you, have run 20: 50 for 12 years on my cars and till tomorrow water still comes out in the morning.

And I am counting all these years because when I bought my vehicles I checked all the arguments on using 5:30 vs 20:50 whilst I was still using the 5:30 and my experience when I used 20:50 was that the car sounded better.

In fact, my Honda did not sound well when I put 5:30 in it when I was waiting for my 5:30 to come for in those days 5:30 was not in the market, and so I used the 20:50 and I noticed it sounded better.

But immediately I put the 5:30 it sounded funny, so o I immediately switched back to the 20:50 and now 12 years on my engines still sounds like new.

guru01:

Bros, no be lie ooo, my head don grow dada because of many many theories. But all the same, no knowledge is wasted if properly applied.

this knowledge that the op shared is wasted, because this knowledge makes no sense and shows alot of Ignorance, it's a pity the alot of people will read this and just agree with him, it's sad.

StillDtruth:


Like you, have run 20: 50 for 12 years on my cars and till tomorrow water still comes out in the morning.

And I am counting all these years because when I bought my vehicles I checked all the arguments on using 5:30 vs 20:50 whilst I was still using the 5:30 and my experience when I used 20:50 was that the car sounded better.

In fact, my Honda did not sound well when I put 5:30 in it when I was waiting for my 5:30 to come for in those days 5:30 was not in the market, and so I used the 20:50 and I noticed it sounded better.

But immediately I put the 5:30 it sounded funny, so o I immediately switched back to the 20:50 and now 12 years on my engines still sounds like new.

exactly, I’ve not had any mechanical issue at all with 20w50 and I believe 5w20 and 5w30 is too thin for our climate.