2006 GC SXT 3.8L

Oil filler cap says 5W-20. Unfortunately, I wasn't paying attention to that until after I changed the oil using Mobil 1 synthetic high mileage 5W-30. If it were the weekly special from the local shop, I would just spend the $15 to replace the oil. Unfortunately, I've got $50 worth of oil in there. I was hoping to stretch this oil change until March. Will there be any problems keeping the 5W-30 in this engine?

(Seems strange that the 3.8L engine on my 2003 GC Sport took 5W-30, and I thought the 2003 engine was the identical to the engine on my 2006.)

 

It is perfectly fine for the Caravan engine to use 5w-30. Chrysler decided to go with 5w-20 because it SUPPOSELY improve fuel economy.
I think the Owner's manual states you can use 5w-30 if you live in an area with Hot Climate.


There really aren't much difference between the 2003 3.8L and the 2006 3.8L.

 

The 5W-20 is not for additional durability but is for additional fuel economy, a smidgen or so more, to get points under the CAFE standards. 0W-30 or 5W-30 will work just fine.

Keep in mind however, that Mobil products don't state that they meet the Chrysler MS 6395 specification on the containers nor do the high mileage oils generally. I wouldn't dump your oil because of it though.

 

Are there any oils that state specifically that they meet this specification or any other manufacturer's spec? I thought the gold standard spec was the API oil service ratings.

 

I have Valvoline and Quaker State containers of conventional oil that say on the container that they meet Chrysler MS 6395.

Here's the Castrol Edge with Syntec site showing which of their synthetics meet Chrysler MS 6395:
http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp..._Sept_2011.pdf

Here's Castrol's conventional oil product data sheets: http://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/FusionPDS.nsf/Files/C40C97F2F1CE37D680257AA9005313B2/$File/GTX_Conv_2012.pdf