The 10 Best 0W-20 Oil: Review And Buying Guide

 

If you live in an area that experiences a lot of cold weather, even when it’s not winter, then you need an 0W-20 synthetic oil for your car, so that your engine performs well no matter what. But, what exactly is an 0W20 oil?

To put it simply, 0W-20 is a code assigned to a specific type of synthetic oil with a 20 count oil viscosity in low temperatures, such as during winter. This type of engine oil is ideal for cold climates and weather conditions since you won’t experience as much oil thickening.

Here is a comprehensive review and buying guide to help you find the best 0W20 oil in the market:

The 10 Best 0W-20 Oil Review

Take a look at these ten best 0W-20 oils that are guaranteed to keep your engine clean and protected so it works great and lasts for a long time, while saving you money on fuel costs and engine repairs.

I’ve reviewed and listed down lots of different options for you, so you are sure to find one that works perfectly for your vehicle’s engine.

1.  Castrol EDGE 0W-20 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil

My first pick when it comes to 0W20 oils is the Castrol 03124 EDGE 0W-20 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil, which delivers ultimate engine protection and offers excellent power output and a substantial mileage.

It makes use of dispersant molecules that are engineered to prevent sledge and gum deposit formation, thereby enhancing the overall performance of your vehicle. It also acts effectively in reducing friction and heat, so you don’t have to worry about premature wearing.

All in all, it’s a superior full synthetic oil that has excellent anti-wear and friction capabilities and the perfect viscosity to improve your engine performance and help everything run smoothly for much longer.

2.  Shell Rotella Gas Truck Full Synthetic 0W-20 Motor Oil

My second best bet is the Shell Rotella Gas Truck Full Synthetic 0W-20 Motor Oil, which is made by one of the world’s leading manufacturers for everything engine and oil-related. It’s a full synthetic oil that is guaranteed to outperform other oils even under heavy-duty conditions.

If you really just like to push your vehicle to the limits with hard drives and excessive idles, or are at the mercy of mother nature, such as with ever-changing weather conditions and dirty, dusty roads, this oil can handle all of that and more.

It’s sure to do an excellent job in keeping your engine clean and free from deposits, thereby protecting your engine from damage and improving its performance, as well as your fuel economy. Simply put, it’s the perfect option for trucks and similar vehicles.

3.  Valvoline SynPower Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil

Taking the third spot is the Valvoline SynPower 0W-20 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil, which works superiorly in keeping your engine free from sludge, lowering heat levels and consequent wear and tear due to friction, and enhancing your engine’s overall performance.

It’s made of top quality additives, dispersants, and detergents that work together in cleaning up your engine and keeping it that way for a long time, as well as offering high-temperature protection so your engine can perform well even in harsh conditions.

What’s more is that this synthetic oil is specifically formulated to have low viscosity, so even when driving in cold weather and climates, you won’t have to worry about starting your car successfully and quickly.

4.  Royal Purple 01020 0W20 Oil

Ranking fourth is the Royal Purple 01020-6PK 0W20 Oil, which is a synthetic oil that’s packed with lots of excellent properties that make it one of the best oils in terms of engine performance and protection.

I’m talking about excellent lubrication, thorough engine cleaning, corrosion and wear inhibition and resistance, anti-rust capabilities, quick starts in cold temperatures, superior engine performance, and an enhanced fuel economy.

If you want a reliable and high performing engine day in and day out no matter what the weather and road condition, and a smooth and long-lasting performance, the Royal Purple is a highly suitable option for various engine fuels.

5.  Toyota/Exxon Mobil Full Synthetic TGMO SN 0W-20 Oil

In fifth place is the Toyota/Exxon Mobil Full Synthetic TGMO SN 0W-20 Oil, which as the name suggests, is specially formulated for Toyota branded vehicles and automobiles, specifically the ones with gasoline-fueled engines.

As compared to the other 0W20 oils on this list, and most of the other ones on the market, this actually has the highest viscosity index, although that’s what enables it to work wonders on Toyota engines and get the parts moving quickly and efficiently.

With this synthetic oil, you can enjoy low friction and smooth shifting, improved engine performance, an enhanced fuel economy, and a high performing engine with a long lifespan, giving you the most value for your money.

6.  Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy Full Synthetic Motor Oil

Next up is the Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy Full Synthetic Motor Oil, a really popular and highly rated 0W20 synthetic oil that’s made with unique additives and ensures an improved fuel economy and superior engine performance.

Its specific formulation makes it so great in effectively working your engine and providing adequate lubrication to reduce friction between the metal components of the engine and prolong its service life by reducing heat and friction, thus preventing premature wear and tear.

Moreover, it also features a low viscosity that guarantees a reliable engine performance regardless of road and weather conditions, so you can enjoy a fully protected engine that runs smoothly and lasts for a long time.

7.  Idemitsu Full Synthetic 0W-20 Engine Oil SN/GF-5

I’ve also got here the Idemitsu Full Synthetic 0W-20 Engine Oil SN/GF-5, a first-class synthetic oil that is particularly excellent in reducing your engine’s harmful emissions, while of course also protecting your engine and enhancing its performance.

It’s a hard-working 0W20 oil that maintains a decent viscosity to protect the engine from friction and wear, enable it to run smoothly no matter the weather, and keep it safe from premature deterioration, so you can enjoy a smooth driving experience.

It also offers excellent lubrication and engine cleaning capabilities, so your engine performs significantly better, all while consuming less fuel, so you do not only get to enjoy a high performing engine, but you get to save up on fuel costs as well.

8.  Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic 5W-20 Motor Oil

You might also want to try the Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic 5W-20 Motor Oil, which is another superior engine oil that keeps your engine protected from premature wearing, so you can enjoy a high performing engine for a long time to come.

It features a unique oil thickness that covers your engine’s moving parts with a slick film that is designed to eliminate friction which prevents the engine from running smoothly and causes the deterioration of its parts and components.

You’ll particularly like this one if you want a superior driving experience with a great engine that you simply cannot achieve with synthetic blends and conventional oils, since this one is a pure and full 0W20 synthetic oil with all the best features you can ever get from an engine oil.

9.  Liquimoly 2208 0W-20 Special Tec AA Motor Oil

Another excellent option would be the Liquimoly 2208 0W-20 Special Tec AA Motor Oil, a specially formulated engine oil for gasoline engines with American and Japanese manufacturing. It’s an excellent lubricant and keeps your engine performing like new.

This oil is designed to effectively minimize the friction and wear that your engine’s moving parts are constantly subjected to, allowing them to perform better and last for so much longer, while giving you a safer driving experience no matter what the weather and road condition.

What’s more is that this premium synthetic oil is actually one of the most long-lasting as compared to other brands, so you really get the best value for your money with a well performing engine oil that lasts you for a long time.

10.  Mag 1 20139 0W-20 Full Synthetic Motor Oil

Finally, you might also want to try out the Mag 1 20139 0W-20 Full Synthetic Motor Oil, which keeps your vehicle in peak performance and health by keeping it protected from friction, as well as premature wearing and deterioration.

Its perfect viscosity index allows it to effectively lubricate the moving parts and components of your engine to give you a superior engine performance, and more importantly, sludge free and long-lasting engine parts.

Plus, it also features an advanced formulation that contains dispersant additives engineered specifically to keep harmful deposits at bay. Simply put, you get to enjoy a great engine, an improved fuel economy, and increased mileage, so it’s a win all around.

0W-20 Oil Buying Guide

Looking for the best 0W-20 oil but don’t know where to start? I get you. After all, there are virtually unlimited options out there, and while all of them seem great, not all may be suitable for your vehicle.

So, in order to help you out, here are the most important factors that you need to take into account when determining which 0W-20 synthetic works best for you and your car.

The purpose of 0W-20 synthetic oil

First things first. Let’s talk about exactly why you need an 0W-20 oil for your vehicle, and what it can do for you. While there are many different types of engine oils out there, a full synthetic oil such as an 0W-20 oil offers the best features and performance for your vehicle.

It not only lubricates your engine, but also cleans it up and keeps deposits at bay, all while reducing friction, preventing wear and deterioration, improving engine performance, enabling smooth shifting, and enhancing your fuel economy.

These are all important things that no other type of engine oil can achieve at the same level.

Synthetic blend vs full synthetic

In line with what I’ve just discussed, one of the first things you need to decide on is whether you’re fine with a synthetic blend of 0W-20 oil, or you really want to get the maximum performance that a full synthetic oil can offer.

This is because synthetic blends are considerably more affordable, and are thus perfect for those on a budget. They still work great in terms of engine protection and performance, just not as superior as full synthetic options.

That said, a full synthetic engine oil will save you even more on fuel costs, protect your engine for longer so you don’t have to worry about engine repairs in the foreseeable future, and give you a much better overall engine performance.

Mileage

Another thing that makes full synthetic oils stand out from synthetic blends is that they offer a significantly higher mileage, at least twice as long as that of synthetic blends, so you can run your car for longer before needing an oil change.

To give you an idea, synthetic blends will give you a mileage of about 7,500 miles, while full synthetic oils have an oil change interval of 15,000 miles.

Other oil types

Now, if you’re really trying to save up on upfront costs, you can always consider other types of engine oil. These are much cheaper than both full synthetic and synthetic oils, although you cannot expect the same level of performance.

There are conventional crude oils that are relatively sustainable and have decent lubricating properties, and are most suitable for new cars with new engines that don’t need that much protection just yet.

You’ve also got high mileage oils that are specially formulated to try and keep your engine for as long as possible after it’s hit the 75,000 mile mark. It has the capacity to prevent oil leaks and minimize oil burn off, as well as eliminate wear and friction.

Read also: How is synthetic oil made?

Other important considerations before buying the best 0w-20 oil

Aside from the ones I’ve already mentioned, there are several other important considerations that you need to factor in when purchasing an engine oil for your vehicle.

Manufacturer’s specification

This is perhaps the most important thing you need to remember. Different cars have different engines and require different types of engine oils. Using the wrong one can result in not being able to start your car, and severely damage your engine.

As such, it’s important to base your decision on which oil to buy on the manufacturer’s specification. This is based on the specific requirements of your engine, including what type of fuel it runs on.

Therefore, make sure to check whether the product you’re looking to buy is compatible with your car’s make and model, and suits your specific engine requirements, which might vary as well depending on how much mileage it has.

Oil compatibility

Now, another thing you need to take into account is that your car already has engine oil in it, and as such, the oil you will be buying needs to be compatible with this existing oil as well, so that the engine runs smoothly and won’t cause you any problems.

For example, there are many synthetic oils that work with similar synthetic oils, and 0W-20 synthetic oils are designed to be compatible with conventional oils. Of course, there are also advanced formulated oils that can work on any type of engine oil.

Lubrication capabilities

One of the primary functions of engine oil is to lubricate the moving parts and components of your engine, and in this aspect, it’s only natural that the oil’s lubricating capabilities be one of the main things you take into account.

Not all engine oils work the same in lubricating your engine and minimizing friction, and this depends on how the oil is formulated. You need to find a synthetic oil that has the perfect formulation for your engine’s specific requirements.

Sealing properties

Another important factor to consider is how much sealing properties the oil offers when it comes to protecting your engine from sludge and other harmful particles and deposits that can cause damage to the engine.

Remember, a clean and fully protected engine will run smoother and better overall than one that is filled with grimy deposits that build upon the engine’s parts and cause issues on how it performs.

Corrosion and rust resistance

Also in terms of protection and helping your engine last longer, the engine oil should have excellent capabilities in preventing rust and corrosion, both of which can seriously damage your engine and make it fall apart.

Premature wearing and engine damage will reduce your car’s mileage and cause a multitude of damage that can easily be prevented and can leave you with a hefty bill in repair costs, especially if you have to change the entire engine.

Temperature resistance

The beauty of synthetic oils such as 0W-20 oils is that they ensure that your engine performs well no matter what the weather conditions, such as when it’s especially hot or cold. So if you want the best and most reliable engine performance, get an oil that has excellent temperature resistance.

This means that the oil maintains its viscosity and doesn’t thin out or thicken depending on the temperature. A stable viscosity means that the lubrication and protection properties of the oil remain the same, so your engine runs smoothly all throughout.

Overview

No engine runs without its engine oil, and this is why choosing the right kind of oil for your car is so important. It’s what enables your engine to run and keeps it running at peak performance for a significant amount of time.

Knowing the right things to consider will let you find the best 0W-20 oil for your car, and will give you the kind of performance, protection, and fuel economy that you want. And remember, there are different types of oils for different engines.

That said, my best recommendation for you is the Castrol EDGE 0W-20 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil, especially since it makes use of an advanced formulation that makes it compatible with almost all types of engines.

It also offers superior protection against friction, wearing, rust, corrosion, sludge, and other deposits, and ensures that your engine is at its peak performance with a high mileage and an improved fuel economy.