The 10 Best 0W20 Oils – 2021 (Review & Buyer’s Guide)

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IN THIS GUIDE

What’s the best 0W-20 oil for your vehicle?

Do you know which 0W-20 oil is best for your vehicle?

If not, the first thing to do is to check your owner’s manual because it will list the recommended oil weight and then adjust according to the seasons and how much you drive your car.

Yes, you heard it here. Read the manual. First.

According to Popular Mechanics:

Always choose an oil from a brand that displays the starburst symbol that indicates the oil has been tested by the American Petroleum Institute (API)

There are dozens of 0W-20 oils on the market making it confusing to determine which one is best.

We’ve done the research to make it simpler for you to find the best 0W-20 oil for your car, truck, or SUV.


At A Glance: The Best 0W 20 Oils – 2020 (Review & Buyer’s Guide)

0W-20 OIL BRANDVEHICLE TYPEFEATURES
Castrol EDGE 03124 0W-20 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor OilAll gasoline– Improves oil film strength by 30% and reduces power-robbing friction
– Improves fuel economy (0W grades)
Valvoline – VV916 Advanced Full Synthetic SAE 0W-20Cars, trucks, and SUVs– Formulated for cars, trucks & SUVs
– Fights 3 major causes of engine stress: heat, deposits, and wear
– Fights severe engine stress from: stop & go driving, extreme temperatures, and hauling & towing.
Shell Rotella Gas Truck Full SyntheticGas-powered pickup and SUVs– Extreme protection for hauling and towing
– Protects your truck engine in extreme temperatures
Royal Purple OW20 Motor OilHigh performance– Optimizes engine performance
– Provides superior protection

Castrol EDGE 03124 0W-20 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil

What We Like

  • Great for the money
  • Lubricates and cleans the engine
  • Patented titanium technology for superior engine performance
  • Improves fuel economy
  • Suitable for all types of engine

What We Don’t Like

  • Not the best for engine cold-start

Summary: The Castrol EDGE 13124 Advanced Full Synthetic Oil is a premium quality oil that delivers the ultimate engine protection and exceptional power output.

It uses the patented fluid titanium technology to offer superior engine performance and protection from oxidation, deposits, and wear.

This oil meets and exceeds most vehicle brands’ needs, including Toyota, Honda, and Lexus.

With Castrol EDGE 03124, you can be sure of an improved fuel economy, and you won’t have any issues when firing up the car.

Valvoline – VV916 Advanced Full Synthetic SAE 0W-20 Motor Oil 1 QT

What We Like

  • Excellent performance in low temperatures
  • Increased fuel economy
  • Protects the engine from sludge and friction
  • Suitable for many types of engine
  • Flows well for startups

What We Don’t Like

  • Oil canister not very ergonomic

Summary: For over 150 years, Valvoline has been making excellent oil and other fluids, and so you can be sure that their products are always a perfect choice.

Their Valvoline – VV916 Advanced Full Synthetic SAE – 0W-20 Motor Oils is a quality option formulated for a wide range of vehicles. This oil is effective in protecting your engine from wear and friction.

It’s the ideal oil for different driving conditions since it handles cold temperatures significantly well and does great in high temperatures.

By lubricating your engine and offering sludge protection, Valvoline 0W20 improves your engine’s life and performance.

The oil flows well at a startup to ensure that you don’t have problems firing up your vehicle. It also significantly enhances your fuel efficiency.

Castrol 06248 EDGE 5W-30 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil

What We Like

  • Titanium technology for outstanding performance and strength
  • Excellent fuel economy
  • Changes the way oil behaves under pressure
  • Reasonably priced

What We Don’t Like

  • Gets dirty quicker than most synthetic oils

Summary: Castrol 06248 EDGE is one of the best advanced full synthetic motor oils that offer outstanding engine protection.

It’s formulated with the fluid titanium technology that makes it stronger and anti-friction to prevent viscosity breakdown.

While today’s engines experience a lot of pressure, Castrol 0384 EDGE is formulated to physically change how oil works under pressure and it lubricates all the engine’s moving parts. 

Moreover, this oil reduces engine deposit formation to optimize engine response and increase its life.

Liquimoly 2208 0W20 Motor Oil

What We Like

  • High mileage
  • Excellent sludge and friction protection
  • Compatible with most car brands
  • Easy pour bottle design

What We Don’t Like

  • Not the best for fuel economy

Summary: Liquimoly 2208 0W20 motor oil is long-lasting and compatible with most vehicle brands. It’s the ideal synthetic Oil for Japanese and American gas engines.

This oil is made with a heavy-duty formulation to remain clear for a longer time and save you some money.

When using this oil, your engine will perform better with minimum friction and reduced wear.

The bottle is ergonomically designed with an excellent grip for more convenience when pouring out the oil.

While this oil may not be the best for fuel economy improvement, it’s worth the money as it keeps your engine running like new.

Shell Rotella Gas Truck Full Synthetic 0W20 Motor Oil

What We Like

  • Great cleaning properties
  • Perfect for trucks and SUVs
  • Weather-resistant capabilities

What We Don’t Like

  • Made for gasoline vehicles only

Summary: The Shell Rotella Gas Truck Full Synthetic oil is formulated to guarantee high-engine performance even in extreme driving conditions.

If you like pushing your vehicle to the limit by driving in rough terrains, this oil will be a great bet for all types of weather. It’s exactly what all truck drivers need for their engines.

When using Shell Rotella synthetic motor oil, your engine benefits from exceptional protection from damage.

This oil guarantees engine safety and top-notch performance when riding on rough terrains. With its great cleaning properties, Shell Rotella Gas Truck Full Synthetic oil keeps the engine clean and prevents sludge and deposits accumulation.

Royal Purple OW20 Motor Oil

What We Like

  • Superior engine protection from wear and friction
  • Works well with ethanol-based fuels
  • Prevents engine starvation
  • Protects engine from corrosion

What We Don’t Like

  • Not the best for high-performance sports cars

Summary: If you’re looking for motor oil that can improve your gasoline engine’s performance and offer superior protection, Royal Purple Motor Oil is for you.

It keeps your catalytic converter system clean to ensure that all harmful gases are well-neutralized before being released.

This oil is compatible with synthetic and conventional oils and still works great with ethanol fuels. 

While it may not be the best oil for high-performance sports cars, it offers unmatched engine protection from wear and friction.

Mobil 1 0W20 Advanced Fuel Economy Full Synthetic Motor Oil

What We Like

  • Ultra-low viscosity
  • Enhanced fuel economy
  • High mileage
  • Great value for the money

What We Don’t Like

  • Not ideal for diesel engines

Summary: The Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy Synthetic Oil is a highly-rated synthetic motor oil made with special additives to ensure first-class performance.

Along with the fantastic performance, this oil is compatible with various vehicles powered by gasoline and hybrid engines, including Toyota, Honda, and Lexus.

It’s formulated to enhance engine performance by providing adequate lubrication for friction reduction. This will also prevent premature wear and tear.

With this motor oil, the engine performance remains expedient regardless of road or weather conditions. It runs smoothly in both cold and hot temperatures.

Pennzoil OW20 Platinum Full Synthetic Motor Oil

What We Like

  • Outstanding performance in low and high temperatures
  • Excellent wear and tear resistance
  • Improves engine performance

What We Don’t Like

  • Low mileage compared to other synthetic motor oils.

Summary: Pennzoil 550046127 Platinum is a full synthetic 0W20 engine made from natural gas using the patented gas to liquid PurePlus technology.

If you’re after superior engine protection from friction and wear, you might want to try this oil. It features a unique oil thickness that lubricates the engine’s moving parts for smooth running.

This synthetic motor oil improves your engine performance to ensure a superior driving experience.

The bottle is ergonomically designed to help you pour oil into the tank with comfort and ease.

Valvoline OW-20 Full Synthetic High Mileage with MaxLife

What We Like

  • Prevents engine breakdown
  • Contain extra detergents and seal conditioners
  • Well-designed bottle for easy pouring
  • Good at heat and friction protection

What We Don’t Like

  • Burns a little too soon

Summary: Valvoline Full Synthetic High Mileage with MaxLife is one of the best 0W20 motor oil that can effectively prevent engine breakdown.

It gives a thick and long-lasting anti-wear film on the moving engine parts to prevent tear and wear.

The formulation of this motor oil makes it effective at preventing heat and friction from damaging the engine.

This oil also contains unique additives like detergents and seal conditioners to stop and prevent oil leaks.


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What is 0W20 Oil and Why Do You Need It?

0W20 Oil is a synthetic oil type with SAE viscosity rating of 0 in cold temperatures and a rating of 20 at normal operating temperatures. It’s the best oil for low temperatures and cold weather seasons like winter.

While there are many types of engine oils, 0W20 offers excellent performance in your vehicle in cold temperatures that cannot be achieved with other oils. It lubricates the engine and cleans it while still improving your fuel economy.


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Benefits of Using 0W-20 Oil

The 3 primary benefits of using OW20 oil are:

  1. The main benefit of using 0W20 engine oil is that it flows quickly at start-up to reach the critical engine parts and enhance fuel economy.
  2. Oil 0W20 is one of the best engine oils that offer superior performance at low and high temperatures. If you live in an environment that sees cold weather temperatures and heat in the summer, this is a good choice.
  3. When you use it to lubricate your engine, it minimizes wear and friction, cleans the engine, and keeps deposits at bay. This guarantees efficient engine performance with a long life.

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Different Types of Oils and How They Differ

There are four types of oils:

Full Synthetic

Full synthetic motor oil is made entirely from the factory or laboratory and is more refined for better engine performance. 

This oil type provides higher levels of lubrication and viscosity and effectively fights sludge and deposits build-up.

Synthetic Blend Motor Oil

Synthetic blend oil is almost similar to the full synthetic motor, but it comes at a much lower price. It’s a mixture of synthetic and conventional base oils with some additives.

This oil has excellent low-temperature properties and is resistant to oxidation. It makes it easy for drivers to switch conventional to synthetic.

Conventional Motor Oil

Conventional motor oil is the most popular type of oil used by many drivers across the world. It’s formulated for light-duty, late model cars.

This oil is ideal for vehicles with low to average mileage and for simple engine designs.

High Mileage Motor Oil

This oil type is designed for vehicles with over 75,000 miles. It reduces oil consumption, minimizes leaks, and reduces smoke in older engines.

When buying conventional oil, you will want to check the labeling information as not vehicles will benefit from this oil.


According to the American Petroleum Association (API):

The most current standards specify SP for gasoline engines.

Introduced in May 2020, designed to provide protection against low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI), timing chain wear protection, improved high-temperature deposit protection for pistons and turbochargers, and more stringent sludge and varnish control.


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7 Things to Consider When Buying 0W020 Oil

#1 – Manufacturers Recommendations: Different vehicles have different engines, and they require different types of engine oil. You should always check manufacturers’ recommendations as using the wrong oil can cause problems in your car.

#2 – Compatibility with Existing Engine Oil: The Oil you want to buy must be compatible with the existing oil in your vehicle to ensure that the engine runs smoothly without any problems.

#3 – Verify Lubrication Capabilities: Lubrication is one of the primary functions of engine oil. Keep in mind that not all motor oils have similar lubricating capabilities. You need to go for the engine oil formulated to deliver excellent lubrication.

#4 – Sealing Properties: Look at how much sealing properties a particular engine oil has before deciding on buying it to know whether the oil can protect your engine from sludge build-up. Remember that a clean engine will run smoother than one with sludge accumulation and deposits build-up.

#5 – Corrosion and Rust Resistance: Corrosion and rust resistance is crucial in helping your engine last longer. The best engine oil should protect the engine from rust and corrosion.

#6 – Temperature Resistance: The good thing with 0W20 synthetic oils is that they enable your engine to perform well in all weather conditions. Be sure to go for oil that has excellent temperature resistance.

#7 – Full Synthetic VS Synthetic 0W20 Blend: You will also want to identify what is best for you between full synthetic and synthetic blend oils. Depending on your budget and vehicle mileage, full synthetic oils are the best for wear and friction reduction efficiency.


0W20 Video Comparing Different 0W20 Brands


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How to Replace the Engine Oil in 4 Easy Steps

If you want to keep your engine running efficiently, it’s essential to change the oil regularly.

The timeline for changing your oil change may vary depending on how often you drive, your driving style, the weather, and the vehicle’s type.

Changing oil is an easy thing and simple enough for every car owner to do it at home. Follow these steps to replace engine:

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If you want to keep your engine running efficiently, it’s essential to change the oil regularly.

The timeline for your oil change may vary depending on how often you drive, your driving style, and the vehicle’s type.

Changing oil is an easy thing and simple enough for every car owner to do it at home. You can follow these steps to replace engine oil in your vehicle:

Step 1: Gather the Right Tools

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Before embarking on the oil change process, the first thing to do is know the right type of oil for your vehicle. You can check in your car’s user manual to know the recommended type for your vehicle.

Ensure you have all the equipment and tools that you will use. This equipment includes an oil filter, oil, funnel, jack stands, gloves, filter wrench, and drain pan.

Gloves are essential for protecting your hand from burns from hot oil and keeping your hands clean. Before your start, allow the engine to cool off if you have been driving for some time.

Do not completely cool it down as hot oil will flow with ease. If you have not driven, start your car for three minutes before switching it off.

Step 2: Draining the Used Oil

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Use the jacks to elevate your vehicle so that you can access the drain pipes without any hassles.

To easily access the drain plug, start by removing the oil fill cap located under the hood.

Use the wrench and jack the drain plug.

You can place the drain pan under the drainpipe to collect the used oil to avoid dirtying the floor with used oil.

Step 3: Change the Oil Filter

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Remove the old oil filter using a wrench and replace it with a new one. Use the oil pan to collect the oil that may spill while removing the oil filter.

Smear a bit of new oil on the filter gasket for easy replacement of the oil filter.

Step 4: Pour the New Oil

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Once the new filter is in place, it is time to pour the new oil. Remove the oil cap and put a funnel on it.

Pour the new oil slowly into the funnel until it’s full. You can also check with the user manual for the acceptable amount of oil for your car.


FAQs For The Best OW 20 Oil


What Has Better Fuel Economy, 0W20 vs. 5W20?

0W20 gives a better fuel economy, especially for new cars. However, there is no difference between the two oils when operating in average temperatures.

The 0W20 oil is a bit thinner than 5W20 Oil at cold temperatures, but only for the first few minutes after starting the car.

What’s an Oil Additive?

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An oil additive is a chemical compound that improves the lubricant performance on the engine oil.

Oil additives are also used to slow down oxidation, prevent deposits and foam formation.

Some of the most common oil additives include:

· Antioxidants

· Anti-wear agents

· Detergents

· Dispersants

· Foam inhibitors

· Friction modifiers

· Viscosity-index improvers

· Pour-point depressants

· Rust and corrosion inhibitors

What If I Use 0W20 Instead of 5W20?

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If you use 0W20 instead of 5W20, you’ll find that 0W20 is a bit thinner in cold temperatures and flows better. But the difference is just minimal.

Nonetheless, 0W20 will be better than 5W20 for those who live in extremely cold regions. It will do less damage compared to 5W when firing up the engine.

What’s the Difference Between Single-grade and Multi-grade Oils?

The difference between single-grade and multi-grade oils is mainly seen in their viscosity when driving in varied conditions.

Multi-grade engine oils are formulated to have two different flows depending on driving situations. One flow is for cold weather and the other one when the engine is warm.

Generally, multi-grade oils start operating as thinner oils and then get thinners once the engine is warm. They are essential for protecting the engine in cold temperatures.

Single-grade oil, also known as mono-grade, are usually thin oils and are suitable when cold starting in very low temperatures like winter.

How Long Does 0W20 Oil Last?

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How long 0W20 oil lasts depends on the oil’s quality and brand as some synthetic oils last longer than others.

However, it has been stated that 0W20 oils can go up to 10,000 miles (one year), but you should regularly check the oil.


Bottom Line – The Best OW20 Oils

Trying to figure out which 0W-20 oil is best for your car can be daunting.

We’ve done the research and provided you with a shortlist of the top OW-20 oils to make it simpler.

In summary, Castrol EDGE 03124 0W-20 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil and Valvoline – VV916 Advanced Full Synthetic SAE 0W-20 are two of the top 0W-20 oils on our list.

But if you’re looking for an 0W-20 oil that will help your high-performance car perform as it should, Royal Purple OW20 Motor Oil is a fantastic choice.


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