2017 V6 S.

I live in South Florida where it's hot and sticky nearly all year long. We don't have any issues with cold starts here. In my other vehicles I run a slightly higher viscosity, which prevents problems of rapid timing chain wear and helps maintain adequate oil pressure and viscosity on 100 degree days. I understand the Jag is spec'd for 0W-20. However, considering the early V6 problems of rod bearing failures and the general inadequacy of 0W-20 to withstand high loads under hot conditions, I'm strongly considering a slightly higher viscosity. Maybe 0W-30 or 5W-30.

I will probably add the pulley and tune, for the claimed 450HP. That's a stunning 75HP per cylinder. Which is a significant load on rod bearings. By way of comparison, an HTHS of 3.8 (high temperture high shear rating) is an absolute minimum for turbocharged 4 cylinder engines making 80HP per cylinder. This generally requires a 30 viscosity oil.

I've been involved in HTS (high thermal stability) aviation oil testing when working with the old Mobil Oil flight department, and have an extensive background in auto racing. Including turbocharged engine development, in particular camshaft development for Ford. While my experience is old, the laws of physics remain and compensating for environment with oil viscosity is always acceptable, as the working viscosity is the same. Higher viscosity provides higher film strength and will carry more load. There really is a reason the higher the oil temperature, the more HP you make and the higher the RPM, the higher the viscosity requirements.

Another issue that is unclear to many, internal lubricated chains last longest with a 30 viscosity oil. As the pins do not have bearings. They operate steel-on-steel. Low viscosity oils and particulate contamination result in faster wear rates.

Do any of you use an alternate oil? If so, what oil, and why did you choose it?

 

It sounds like you have a better basis for deciding over any opinions that you'll get here!

 

Maybe. But real world experience counts for a lot. Sometimes, the school of hard knocks works out such things...

 

I'm running MolyGen 5w30. I can't believe 0w20 is spec'd honestly. Once it sheers it's gotta be like water. I can't imagine what it would feel like at temp after 5+k miles of use. Living in South Carolina I have no worries about running a thicker viscosity. I think it's also a good idea to send your used oil to Blackstone labs to have it analyzed. I try to do it with every change on my high performance vehicles. It let's you establish a good pattern of wear and sometimes spot issues before they go boom. Especially useful on older models with bearing problems.