WH 5.7 Engine Oil
 

Hi guys,

I'm about to change the engine oil myself and was wondering what engine oil viscosity is everyone using on their 5.7's?

It's not only the right viscosity that I'm after but also the right grade.

For Australia, Chrysler is using and recommends 5W-30 oil. My last change, by a non-Chrysler mechanic, was done with 10W-40 and the computer spat out a code after these few months since the change, saying: P1521 - Wrong Engine Oil Type.

Chrysler recommends the following type: SAE 5W-30 (Australia), specification ACEA A3/B3/B4 or A5/B5. Low ash content.

So what do you guys use and which brand you find works better?

Thanks.

Well, Jeep actually recommends 5W-20 for all 5.7's anywhere in the world, but, as it's not readily available here, Jeep Australia reckon 5W-30 is ok (and the dealers don't typically use "Jeep" oils).

So, my experience is; I've run Mobil1 5W-30 for a couple of changes, and it eventually threw the same code as you got above, it was also "tappier", getting a more noticable "Hemi Tap" that is well documented. MDS still worked, but I would say it was mildly "laggier" in its responses.
I had the same experience when using the dealer's "she'll be right mate" 5W-30 oil, and on two occasions requested they change it to the correct stuff.

Now it's out of warranty, I'm buying genuine Mopar 5W-20, doing the changes myself, and all is swell :) It's not any more expensive than a quality oil such as the better Mobil or Castrol stuff, and no codes.

Did you try other types of 5W-30 oils? I've spoken to a Castrol Tech today and he said that Chrysler informed them formally to sell only Edge 5W-30 oils for any 5.7L HEMI, such as 300C or Jeep GC as this oil was more suitable for Australian conditions and they did not recommend 5W-20 for Australian 5.7's.

Did you get the Mopar 5W-20 at the Jeep garage? If so, how much does it cost and do they use it in Australian vehicles?

The tech also told me to be careful in choosing the right ACEA rating of any 5W-30 oil. I've come up with a list below and am wondering if anyone used any of those and what are their experiences?

Calibre Fully Synthetic 5W-30 ~$45 ???
Valvoline DuraBlend 5W-30 ~$40 ACEA A3/B3
Castrol Edge Sport 5W-30 ~$50 ACEA A3/B3/B4
Lucas Full Synthetic 5W-30 ~$55 ACEA A3
Nulon Long Life 5W-30 ~$60 ACEA A5/B5 C3
Valvoline SynPower 5W-30 ~$65 ACEA A3/B4 C2/C3
Shell Helix Ultra Extra 5W-30 ~$75 ACEA A3/B4 C2/C3
Penrite Enviro 5W-30 ~$80 ACEA C3 (But it says on their website: Also suitable for use in Mercedes Benz and Chyrsler, Jeep and Dodge petrol and diesel engines where MB 229.31/51 oils are specified, such as the 300C and Grand Cherokee.
Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W-30 ~$85 ACEA A5/B5 C2/C3
Motul 100% Synthetic 5W-30 ~$130 ACEA A3/B4

I have tried the Castrol, as I'm a fan of it and use their 10W-60 in my race car. However, I found it still tapped and MDS was a lil laggy, same as the Mobil.

My Jeep dealer DOES use the genuine Mopar 5W-20 for fussy pricks like me, it comes in 5 litre packs, so you need two for a Hemi change (well, for your first one anyway).

Your Castrol info is the same gumpf as I was told when I enquired with a Mobil rep, but Chrysler/Jeep literature still says otherwise.

I'm a firm believer that using 5W-30 won't actually hurt anything, but as I said, I'm uber fussy and the tick it brought mine at least, was too loud for me.

How much do you pay for Mopar 5W-20?

I really can't remember mate, I'm sure I would if it was ridiculous though! lol

Now here's one for ya, I just spoke directly to a Jeep workshop mechanic at Camellia and asked him about the oil they use to replace the 5.7 HEMI's and he said that he usually uses the Shell Full Synthetic 5W-40 or a Caltex equivalent.

I told him about the story with the Castrol tech person and he said that it's OK and 5W-30 should also be fine. I asked if they had the Mopar 5W-20 in stock and the price and yes, they come in 5L bottles and cost $65 (and yet, they don't use it).

So what do you make of this?

Does this really have to do anything with the Australian weather due to the 5W-20 going even thinner in warmer climates?

Should I use 5W-20 in winter and 5W-30 in summer here in Sydney?

EDIT: In regards to the Mobil 1 oil, I've heard that it caused tapping of the engine almost similar to a diesel :) and the guy changed it with Castrol and it was OK. He's saying that although they are the same grade, they have different ACEA ratings. I really don't know which way to go, as I'm planning a trip up to Brissy soon which will include a lot of off-roading and 4WDriving.