When talking about motor oil, the best in the industry are true synthetics.Unlike traditional dino oil, these products are much better at handling temperature extremes and maintaining a high level of viscosity throughout the life of your engine.
What’s more, they help minimize fuel consumption, ensuring you can drive with more fuel efficiency.To ensure that your oil is purely synthetic, it has to be of the base group IV or V, as any other base stock isn’t a pure synthetic but rather a synthetic blend.
The 0w20 is one of the most common SAEs and we’ve got ton of requests about what the best options are. Here are our top 5 picks.
Best 0w20 Synthetic Oil
Comparison Chart
1. Valvoline 0W-20 SynPower Full Synthetic Motor Oil
As a fully synthetic motor oil, Valvoline’s SynPower brand is expertly designed to add performance and reliability to your car’s engine.
Specifications
- Industry Standards: GM Dexos 1 Certification, ILSAC GF-5, API Certified
- Base Stock: Group IV PAO
It works by battling the three elements that corrode your engine: heat, deposits, and wear.
Thus, it will hold up better in most environments, particularly when compared to other versions such as 5W or 10W.
Not only that, but it comes with incredible protection against sludge and varnish, which helps everything run more smoothly and extends the life of your engine.
One crucial aspect of this oil is its viscosity stability, which is much better at higher temperatures than most other brands.
In fact, it will even hold its own in severe driving conditions where high heat can be a major problem for your vehicle.
Conversely, this oil also has an incredible viscosity at cold temperatures as well. It is formulated for improved cold starts and has a much better flow on startup.
The anti-wear additives keep friction down and extend the life of the engine.
Overall, this oil is built for better fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and reduced wear and tear.
When using this product, you won’t have to work as hard to keep your vehicle in pristine condition, as it does most of the work for you.
Finally, it is proudly made in the USA by the oldest motor oil manufacturer in the country, which I think counts for something.
Pros
- Ideal for hybrid and small-vehicle engines
- Made in the USA
- Enhanced sludge and varnish protection
- 100% synthetic
- Works better on cold starts
- Faster oil flow on startup
- Cost effective
Cons
- In rare cases, the bottle may arrive damaged
2. Liquimoly 2208 0W-20 Special Tec AA Motor Oil
When trying to pick out the best motor oil for your car, you can either go with a local brand like Pennzoil or Mobil 1, or you can try your hand with an international brand.
Specifications
- Industry Standards: API SN, ILSAC GF 5, Chrysler MS-6395, Ford WSS-M2C 946 A, GM 6094M
- Base Stock: Group IV (100% synthetic)
Liquimoly 2208 is made in Germany, but remarkably it is designed with Japanese and American cars in mind.
As such, it is rated for both the American Petroleum Institute and the International Lubricants Standardization and Approval Committee.
As far as fully synthetic oils go, this one is made for high-performance vehicles.
Thankfully, even if you aren’t driving something as intense as a Lamborghini or Maserati, it can still improve the handling and feel of your ride.
In fact, when you swap out your current oil for Liquimoly, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.
Much like all 0W-20 synthetics, this oil also has an improved temperature range for those living in colder environments.
Thus, if you are worried about snow and ice damaging the components of your car, you will appreciate the fact that this oil works best with a cold start.
Better yet, it still has a high viscosity in hot weather, too.
The only downside to this oil is that it costs much more than domestic brands because it comes from overseas.
However, according to most people who use it, the extra price is well worth it, considering that it can hold its own longer than most other oils.
Pros
- Fuel efficientIdeal for high mileage vehicles
- Works best with modern Japanese and American cars
- Improved vehicle performance
- Perfect for cold starts and hot weather
- 100% synthetic
- Made in Germany
Cons
- Pricier than other similar oils
3. Pennzoil 550038111 Platinum SAE 0W-20 Full Synthetic Motor Oil
This next motor oil is a synthetic like no other. Pennzoil Platinum Oil is derived from natural gas, which means that it has a better viscosity rating and cleans up your car’s engine much better than the competition.
Specifications
- Industry Standards: API SN, Dexos 1 GM, Chrysler MS-6395, Ford WSS-M2C947-A
- Base Stock: Group IV PAO
So why is natural gas better? Because it doesn’t have the same impurities and deposits that come from traditional petroleum.
Pennzoil Platinum is so pure that it will clean your pistons by up to 40%.
Cleanliness is not the only reason to get this oil.
It also improves your fuel economy because it doesn’t leave as many deposits in your engine.
Also, it lasts longer than the competition, so you can go longer in between oil changes without risking any damage to your car.
Finally, it even protects your engine from loss of power that can come from shoddy oil.
As with all 0W-20 synthetics, this oil is designed for newer cars.
As such, and like most synthetic oils, not to advise its use on classic cars.
Pros
- Protects against wear and tear
- Limits the amount of friction in your engine
- Ideal for cold starts
- Faster low-temperature oil flow
- Protects engines from loss of power
- Cleans your pistons
- 100% synthetic
- PurePlus Technology for extra cleanliness
- Made from natural gas for improved performance
- Improves fuel economy
- Made in the USA
Cons
- In rare cases, the oil may burn up faster than others
- On rare occasions, the bottle may arrive damaged
4. Castrol 03124 EDGE 0W-20 Full Synthetic Motor Oil
One of the things that modern motor oil has to endure is increased pressure.
Newer engines can exert tremendous force on various components, meaning that the oil has to remain in peak condition even when exposed to such a harsh environment.
Specifications
- Industry Standards: GM Dexos 1, ILSAC GF-5, API SN, ACEA A1, ACEA B1
- Base Stock: Group IV
Fortunately, this Castrol EDGE Synthetic Motor Oil is built to withstand such pressure, utilizing titanium fluid technology to ensure that its viscosity remains in peak condition at all times.
Because this oil is specially formulated, it helps improve your vehicle’s engine in a variety of ways.
First, it works well on cold starts and higher temperatures.
The overall range of this oil is superior to most others, making it ideal for high-performance and newer cars.
Second, it can help reduce deposits by up to 42%, making it superior to most other synthetics.
Not only that, but the improved viscosity also protects against standard wear and oxidation of your engine so that it will last longer.
In fact, this oil is three times stronger at preventing breakdown than other versions.
Overall, this is an incredible synthetic oil that will instantly improve the performance and handling of your car.
There is really no downside to it at all.
Pros
- Titanium fluid technology lasts longer
- Reduces deposits by up to 42%Protects against wear and oxidation
- Helps minimize the volatility of your engine
- Three times stronger at preventing viscosity breakdown
- Works well under extreme pressures
- Ideal for cold starts
- Perfect for modern engines
Cons
- None that I could find
5. Royal Purple 51020 API-Licensed SAE 0W-20 High-Performance Synthetic Motor Oil
When comparing different high-performance motor oils, it helps to know the background of the company making it.
In this case, Royal Purple made a name for itself by working with race cars, meaning that the brand knows a thing or two about making sure that its oil performs well under pressure.
Specifications
- Industry Standards: ACEA A3/B3-04, API SN, ILSAC GF-5, GM Dexos 1
- Base Stock: Group IV
Overall, this fully synthetic oil is designed to protect your engine from metal on metal contact in any condition.
Whether zipping down the race track or heading to the mall, your car will be in peak performance mode as soon as you switch to Royal Purple.
As such, I only recommend getting this oil if you have a car that can handle it.
Oddly enough, though, even though Royal Purple is a bit finicky with certain makes and models, this particular version is designed to be compatible with ethanol-based fuels, as well as diesel engines.
This creates a bit of a paradox, as it is both more and less versatile than other oils I’ve seen.
Pros
- Enhanced additives protect against metal on metal contact
- Optimizes fuel efficiency
- Protects catalytic emission system
- More compatible with ethanol-based fuels
- Superior corrosion prevention
- Reduces sludge and deposits
- Works well for cold starts
- Ideal for modern engines
Cons
- Not recommendable for all vehicles
What You Need To Know About 0W-20 Synthetic Oil
1. What is 0W-20 oil?
There was a time when motor oils only had a single viscosity. While they can get the job done, it also makes them quite vulnerable to changes in temperature.
0W-20 oils seek to address this issue with their dual viscosity. It makes your motor oil efficient even in extreme temperatures, which is exactly what the label refers to.
“0” stands for zero as the lowest viscosity grade in really cold weather; the W means it’s a weight formulated for winter.
Meanwhile, the “20” stands for its viscosity during hot temperatures. The higher this number is, the more viscous you can expect your motor oil to be in the heat.
2. Are 0W-20 synthetic oils?
Yes, they are. 0W-20 oils usually come in two formulations: fully synthetic or synthetic blend.
They are formulated this way to make them function even in different temperature conditions.
They do this by molecularly breaking down mineral oil and restructuring it to achieve the needed formula.
Fully synthetic oils are typically labeled “Premium” or “Advanced.” Interestingly, it doesn’t really refer to the oil grade; it only seeks to promote the brand’s quality.
3. What are 0W-20 oils used for?
There are several reasons car owners, particularly those who drive modern petrol and gasoline engines, use 0W-20 oils.
It promotes amazing lubrication.
Lubrication is the main function of motor oils.
There are a lot of moving parts inside your car’s engine, and these can create a lot of friction that can ultimately lead to engine damage.
Motor oil is applied to give it that much-needed lubrication and protection from friction.
It boosts engine performance.
Aside from ensuring your engine runs smoothly with adequate lubrication, 0W-20 oils prevent engine wear and the accumulation of engine deposits.
It helps promote fuel efficiency.
In terms of fuel efficiency, you will be pleased to learn that 0W-20 oils promote fuel economy, especially for older engines.
It prevents corrosion.
The use of 0W-20 oil is known to provide oxidation resistance, so it can decrease your worries about corrosion and related issues.
Is 0W-20 Oil the Best Choice for My Car?
Honestly, the answer depends on several factors.
What makes 0W-20 so popular is the viscosity grade it can guarantee regardless of the current temperature. The reasons we have stated earlier are also great benefits to consider.
That said, we still don’t recommend it for all types of vehicles.
For instance, two-wheelers and aviation vehicles need formulas that can operate amidst extreme heat.
While the main objective of the 0W-20 is to provide a balanced formula that can work both ways, we cannot deny that it works better in the cold than in the heat.
When choosing the right formula, start by figuring out the right viscosity grade for your particular vehicle.
You can do this by referring to your car’s manual. Alternatively, you can ask your mechanic to get more information and valuable insight.
We hope that our quick rundown of the best 0W-20 oils today helps you make a more informed purchase decision.
Good luck!