Oil: 5w-20 vs. 0w-20

I have a 2004 HCH with manual tranny and 80K miles. The owners maunal states that 5-20 oil is an acceptable substitute. Since 0-20 oil in my area seems to be available only from the dealer for $3.50+ a quart, I have always used 5w-20 which all the major motor oil makers sell and is available anywhere motor oil is sold. (I change the oil myself). So far the car has been trouble free and my average year round mileage is 49.

Isn't Mobil 1 supposed to have the 0W-20 in a fully synthetic blend? I've always been told that synthetic oil is better for you engine anyways.

No such oil as a FULLY synthetic BLEND...:eek: A blend is just that, - Synthetic mixed with Dino. A full synthetic 0-20 is available from Mobil Oil Co.:cool:

The Motor Oils and its Additives have a good standing in heavy weight viscosity..what seems to have been a technology in Oil is the ability to add an Additive that works independently of the standard lubricant..I would(when I did drive a ICE)use two Mobil 1 Blends..this goes back to the late 80's and early 90's so I may be off on the GRADE Numbers..
For a Winter Crankcase Oil I was useing the 5w-30 w/4cyl. STP..and a PINT of Marvel Mystery Oil..this was used in my V-6 Pontiac Station Wagon..I made a GRAVITY FILTER to switch to the SUMMER Blend..//I would drain the winter oil and now add my Summer Blend of 15w-40 w/4cyl. STP and a PINT of Marvel Mystery Oil..I was re-useing my Anti-Freeze Solutions also/I would FILTER that fluid and save for a SUMMER/WINTER type..
I made a Gravity Filter by useing a 5-Gallon Sealed Container(ScrewCap)and a second Container just like it was sitting on the Garage Floor..The removed Crankcase Oil was put into the Container set up High on the WORKBENCH..which had copper tubing running into the Container placed on the Garage Floor..I used a Propane Torch to soldier the copper tubing(be careful of the Container CONTENTS)and don't use water to remove any CONTENTS(the interior will be ruined)..you can use a couple of bottles of Medicinal Rubbing Alcohol and let it dry in the HOT Sun..and then safely use SOLDERING Equipment..I placed a Gasoline Fuel Filter part way in the copper tubing..<>..
I was not CHANGEING My Crankcase OIL as much as I was just CHANGEING the OIL FILTER..and TOPPING UP w/FRESH OIL..every 6,000 miles..swapping out Anti-Freeze for a more DILUTED version in the SUMMER..saving the concentrated version for the NEXT Winter..(also filtering that fluid)..but really just running it thru POLYESTER placed into a BIG-funnel running into a CLEAN Container..I had plenty of Maintainance Savings this way..and my CAR(ICE)was a perfect Model from that point of service..I approx/that I spent some $$400.00 in 10-years and 100,000 miles of normal-->>heavy Drive Time..and $$100.00 per month on Regular gasoline..w/1-Can of Fuel Injector Cleaner per month(Carb.Engine)..Canadian V-6..
.....................................................just a couple of suggestions/to try.

I pay the man and he puts in the stuff and the car works fine ... Hooha.

I just changed my oil in HCH 2003
purchased from auto shop : 4 containers of mobil 1 0W20 synthetic oil ($7 per container)
i bought a $13 mobile 1 oil filter (could have bought a cheaper one for $5
took it to a quick oil change place and paid them $10 to change the oil
TOTAL : $51

Then the guy showed me my cabin air filter (filthy) in my car so I dished out another $25 to replace it :S
should i have done that?

oil 0w20

AutoZone will allow you to order Castrol or Mobil 1 synthetics online and have them delivered to your nearest store. The cost was $6.49/quart for either brand in 0W-20, but there is a 20% coupon right now (code "DA20"), so total cost with NE tax was $26 and change. Usually arrives in two or three days.

Mobil 1 0-20 is usually available at Wal-Mart in one gallon containers. Just look for the containers with the green cap. My local WM's oil display is usually an entropic mess, so looking for the green cap is an easy shortcut.